At the beginning of 2026, the Czech market for certified translations changed significantly.
Almost 40% of court-appointed certified translators and interpreters left the official register.
For international clients, this can be confusing. In many countries, a “certified translation” is simply a signed document. In the Czech Republic, however, the system works differently and the recent change has had a real impact on timelines, availability and certainty.
If you are doing business in the Czech Republic, this is something you need to know.
Why certified translations matter in the Czech Republic
In the Czech legal system, many documents are only accepted if they are translated by a court-appointed (sworn and certified) translator. These translators are officially authorised by the state and their translations carry legal validity.
This applies to contracts and corporate documents, extracts from commercial registers, powers of attorney, court decisions and notarial deeds, diplomas and certificates, immigration and employment documents.
Without a certified translation, authorities, courts or banks may simply reject the document.
What changed in 2026 – in simple terms
A new law introduced stricter rules for court translators and interpreters. After a five-year transition period, all translators appointed under the old system had to re-apply, prove qualifications and pass new exams.
Many did not.
As a result, hundreds of experienced professionals were removed from the official register at the end of 2025.
From the client’s perspective, this means:
- fewer certified translators available
- longer delivery times
- higher risk of delays in legal or business processes
- more uncertainty about who is still authorised
The difference between a freelancer and a system
This is where the real difference shows.
When capacity drops, ad-hoc solutions stop working. What international clients need is a reliable system that still functions under pressure.
I have been a court-appointed translator and interpreter since 1997 and work with certified translations daily. Years ago, I redesigned my services to make the process simple, predictable and fast.
Electronic certified translations = speed without compromise
Since 2021, we have been delivering certified translations with a qualified electronic signature that is legally valid in the Czech Republic and the EU.
For you, this means:
- You send the document by email or secure channel
- No printing, no binding, no courier back and forth
- Fast delivery, legally valid result
This has become the preferred option for law firms, corporations and international clients who value efficiency.
When paper is still required
Some authorities or foreign institutions still require paper originals, especially for apostilled documents, notarised signatures and specific immigration or court cases.
Even then, we keep the process smooth. You can send a scan first, we prepare the translation, and the final version is delivered by courier or post. Personal visits are rarely necessary.
One agency. 27 languages. One point of contact.
International clients often deal with multilingual documents: one in English, another in German, another containing two languages in one file. Managing multiple translators is time-consuming and risky.
At Překlady Levey, we provide certified translations in 27 languages, coordinated under one system, one contact person and one responsibility.
We manage terminology, consistency and formal requirements for you.
You focus on your business.
Why speed now matters more than ever
In legal and corporate processes, every delay costs time, money and energy.
When a large part of the market disappears, reliability becomes more valuable than ever.
While many are still asking “who can translate this for us?”, my focus is simple:
to deliver certified translations that are accepted, on time and without complications.
If you are entering the Czech market, expanding your business, dealing with authorities or managing international documentation, you need a partner who understands both languages and the system.
That is exactly what we do.
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Are you looking for a reliable translator, interpreter or tutor of English or Czech? Contact me. My team of highly skilled translators can assist you in 27 languages.
