The cost of a certified translation depends on four factors, all of which we can inform you about before the work begins.
Anyone requesting a certified translation wants to know how much they will pay and why. The answer is not a fixed price list: a one-page criminal record and a sixty-page medical file are different types of work. But the factors that determine the cost are clear, known from the outset, and each can be explained in a single sentence. At GT-Traduções, we have worked this way for four decades, from our office in Loulé.
This article explains the factors that influence the price, the factors that do not, and the information you should send us to receive an exact quote from the start.
Would you like to know how much your certified translation will cost?
Send us a scanned copy of the document and who it’s for. We will reply with an exact price and the expected delivery time. The quote is free and there are no obligations.
Contact our teamThe four factors that determine the cost
- Number of words in the document — the basis of the calculation. We count the words in the source document, including official stamps, notes and annotations that must be reproduced.
- Language pair — the availability of native translators with experience in the relevant field varies between language combinations. English, French and Spanish have different pricing from Mandarin or Arabic, for example.
- Type of certification required — simple translation, notary certification, CIOL certification or apostille. Each has its own cost, and not all are necessary in every case.
- Requested deadline — standard and urgent deadlines require different approaches. Urgent work is subject to an urgency fee, which may range from 25% to 50%.
Factors that do not increase the price
Sending a photograph instead of the original
A legible photograph or PDF file is usually sufficient for quoting and translating, and you do not need to provide the paper original for the work to begin. For certification, the original document or a certified copy will be required later.
If you don’t want to travel to our office in the Algarve
The process is carried out entirely remotely. Distance does not affect the price or the delivery time — both are determined solely by the type of certification required by the receiving entity.
Asking before deciding
Clarifying requirements, confirming the correct steps and receiving a quote has no cost and no commitment.
Do you have several documents for the same process?
Send them together. Documents belonging to the same process share terminology and are quoted as a whole, which is usually more advantageous.
Ask for a quote WhatsAppTypes of translation projects
Individual document
Criminal record, birth certificate or driving licence: a short, certified translation, quoted on the same day.
Set of documents
Academic applications or residence processes with several documents, quoted together and with shared terminology.
Recurring volume
Companies with a regular flow of documents agree in advance on prices per document type and fixed deadlines, without needing a quote for each request.
Why choose GT-Traduções?
Since 1986, we have certified translations for clients across the world, from our office in Loulé.
The price we present is the final price. If any factor changes the scope of the work, we inform you before proceeding.
If a simpler route exists than the one initially indicated, we suggest it before quoting.
We are members of the Chartered Institute of Linguists, working under a strict professional code.
Personal documents are handled within a restricted workflow and in compliance with GDPR.
English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Dutch, Polish, Arabic, Mandarin and others.
Frequently asked questions
Do you charge per page or per word?
The basis of the calculation is the number of words in the source document, because it reflects the actual work. A page may contain fifty words or five hundred.
Does the quote have a cost?
No. Analysing your document, confirming the correct certification for your specific case, and providing a price and a delivery date has no cost and no commitment.
Can the price change after approval?
The price presented is firm for the agreed scope. If the original document contains content that was not visible in the copy sent — such as a stamp or an annotation — we inform you before proceeding.
Is CIOL certification less expensive?
CIOL certification derives from our standing as qualified members of the Chartered Institute of Linguists for the Portuguese–English combination, and it avoids the costs associated with notary certification and the apostille. We confirm with you whether it is appropriate for your specific case.
Do you offer better prices for volume?
For sets of documents belonging to the same procedure, and for clients with a regular flow of work, we agree specific terms in advance. Tell us the expected volume and we can send you a quote.
Get a firm figure before you decide
Send us the document and tell us who it’s for. We reply with the certification required, the timeframe and the final figure. Office in Loulé, serving the whole country.
Request a quoteor call +351 934 602 625 · [email protected]
