A professional relocates from Angola to Portugal, or from the UK to Germany, and finds out that the driving licence issued at home will not be accepted on its own at the local transport authority. What is missing is the certified translation. It is one of the most frequent requests that reach a legal translation office, and also one of the most misunderstood.
The process changes depending on the country that issued the licence and the country where it needs to be exchanged. But one rule holds across the board: most transport authorities in the European Union will not accept a plain translation done by any bilingual person. They require a certified translation, with a formal statement confirming it matches the original.
When the driving licence needs translating
Within the European Union, licences issued by one member state are generally recognised in the others during the initial period of residence, without requiring an immediate exchange. The obligation to exchange usually arises when the licence nears its expiry date, when permanent residence changes, or when the issuing country sits outside the EU.
For holders of licences issued in third countries (Angola, Brazil, post-Brexit UK, the United States, among others), the rule is stricter. Most EU countries require the foreign licence to be exchanged for a national one within a set period after the start of residence, and that process almost always includes a certified translation of the original document.
In Portugal, the exchange request goes through the IMT (Instituto da Mobilidade e dos Transportes). The IMT asks for the original licence, proof of residence, and, for licences issued outside the EU/EEA, a certified translation into Portuguese. Certification in Portugal is done by a lawyer registered with the Ordem dos Advogados or by a notary: the translator declares before one of these professionals that the translation is faithful to the original, and both sign the certificate.
Certified, not sworn: the distinction that matters
Portugal has no sworn translator system. Asking for a "sworn translation of a driving licence" when the destination is Portugal is a common mistake: the correct term is certified translation, authenticated by a Portuguese lawyer or notary.
The picture flips once the destination is a different country. For a licence exchange in Germany, authorities typically require a *beeidigter Übersetzer* (sworn German translator). In France, local authorities may ask for a *traducteur assermenté*. In Spain, the equivalent figure is the *traductor jurado*, registered with the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In these three countries the word "sworn" is technically accurate, because they run recognised sworn translation systems.
A translation provider needs to know these systems and prepare the document according to the destination country's rules, not the country of origin's. A certified translation produced under Portuguese rules does not automatically substitute a German sworn translation, and the reverse is equally true.
What the transport authority typically asks for
Beyond the certified translation itself, transport authorities tend to request a fixed set of items:
- The original driving licence, in good condition, with all data clearly legible
- Certified translation of both sides of the document, including stamps, licence categories and expiry dates
- Proof of residence in the country where the exchange is requested
- Proof that the licence is still valid in the country of origin at the time of the request
- In some cases, a medical examination or fitness test, required independently of the translation
The translation must reproduce every authorised vehicle category accurately, because the transport authority bases the category transfer on that text. An error in a B1 category or in a medical restriction printed on the back of the card can lead to rejection of the application, or to a new licence issued with fewer categories than the holder actually holds.
For licences issued outside the European Union, an apostille or consular legalisation of the original document may also be required, depending on the country. An apostille for Portuguese documents intended for use abroad is issued by the Procuradoria-Geral da República (PGR). For driving licences issued in Angola, which is not a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, the correct route is not an apostille but classic consular legalisation, carried out at the destination country's consulate in Angola.
How to avoid delays in the exchange request
The most common mistake is sending the licence for translation without first checking exactly which authority will receive the request, and what certification format it accepts. The IMT in Portugal, the TÜV in Germany, or a prefecture in France can each have slightly different requirements for how the certified translation must be presented.
Another point worth confirming before starting the process is the expiry date of the licence itself in the country of origin. An expired licence complicates the exchange regardless of translation quality, because most systems require a valid licence as the basis for transferring categories.
It is also worth checking whether the receiving authority accepts a scanned certified translation or requires the paper original with a physical signature and stamp. This avoids resubmissions and wasted time in a process that already runs on tight administrative deadlines, particularly when the foreign licence loses its driving validity only months after residence begins.
Certified translation with M21Global
M21Global has worked for more than 20 years on certified translation of personal and legal documents, including driving licences, for licence exchange in Portugal and the other markets it serves. The team knows the differences between the certification regimes of Portugal, Spain, France and Germany, and prepares each translation according to what the relevant transport authority actually accepts. Visit the legal translation services page for the full scope of work with official documents, or see how sworn translation applies to court documents requiring certified translation when the destination country requires it.
If a driving licence needs translating for an exchange within the European Union, request a quote from M21Global today. The company responds with a proposal within three business hours.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does a driving licence translation for Portugal need to be sworn?
No. Portugal has no sworn translation system. The document needs a certified translation, authenticated by a lawyer registered with the Ordem dos Advogados or by a Portuguese notary.
Which authority handles driving licence exchange requests in Portugal?
The IMT (Instituto da Mobilidade e dos Transportes) receives the exchange request, the original licence and the certified translation.
Does the driving licence need an apostille before translation?
It depends on the country of origin and destination. Portuguese documents intended for use abroad are apostilled by the Procuradoria-Geral da República, while documents from countries outside the Hague Convention, such as Angola, require consular legalisation instead.
Can a Portuguese certified translation be used to exchange a licence in Germany or France?
Usually not. Germany typically requires a sworn German translator (beeidigter Übersetzer) and France may require a traducteur assermenté. The translation needs to be prepared according to the rules of the country processing the request.
How long does a certified translation of a driving licence take?
Timing depends on workload and whether additional legalisation steps are needed. M21Global provides a quote, including delivery timing, within three business hours of the request.
