Dutch interpreters and translators for law firms, courts, hospitals, schools, councils and companies anywhere in the UK, with face-to-face, telephone and video interpreting, certified translation between Dutch and English, and bookings taken 24 hours a day, whether the person or the paperwork comes from the Netherlands, Belgium or Suriname.
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Dutch interpreting services
Dutch speakers from the three countries understand each other easily, but accent and everyday vocabulary give each away within a sentence, and people generally feel more at ease with an interpreter from their own side of the border. Someone from Friesland or Limburg may speak a regional language at home, yet will be fully at home in standard Dutch. Surinamese speakers often mix in words from Sranan Tongo, and an interpreter who recognises them saves a lot of back-and-forth.
Consecutive interpreting is the norm for hearings, police interviews and medical appointments. For a board meeting or a site visit where only one or two people need help, whispered simultaneous interpreting keeps the meeting moving without stopping every other sentence.
Face-to-face interpreting
The interpreter comes to you: a hospital ward, a courtroom, a council office, a home visit or a business meeting. It is the best choice when people need to read expressions as well as words, or when the conversation is long or sensitive.
Telephone interpreting
The quickest option to set up. It works well for short calls, triage, appointment reminders and quick checks with a client.
Video interpreting
A Dutch interpreter joins by video for remote hearings, consultations and meetings, which helps when there is no interpreter near you.
We also provide medical interpreting and conference interpreting.
Certified Dutch translation
Dutch paperwork is orderly and predictable, which makes it straightforward to translate well. Common requests are an extract from the BRP, the Dutch population register; birth and marriage certificates; a diploma together with its cijferlijst, the list of grades; a VOG, the certificate of conduct employers there ask for; and, for companies, an extract from the Chamber of Commerce (KvK) register or a notarial deed transferring shares in a B.V. Dates are usually written day first with hyphens, as in 03-11-2024.
Each translator translates into their native language, so Dutch to English work is done by a native English speaker. We certify translations for UK employers, universities, solicitors and the Home Office.
- Certified translation of birth, marriage and death certificates, passports, driving licences, degree certificates and bank statements, for the Home Office, courts, universities and employers.
- Legal translation: witness statements, court bundles, contracts and immigration papers.
- Document translation of medical reports, letters, leaflets and patient information.
- Urgent translation when a deadline is close.
- Transcription of Dutch audio and video recordings, with an English translation if you need one.
English to Dutch translation
When translating English into Dutch, decide first whether readers are in the Netherlands or Belgium, because vocabulary, legal terms and even the tone of a formal letter differ. Next comes the form of address: the polite u is still expected from a council, hospital or solicitor, while plenty of Dutch companies now address customers with the informal je. For Somali-Dutch families in the UK, plain Dutch with short sentences works better than official phrasing.
Dutch court and police interpreters
Dutch comes into British legal work through criminal trials, commercial disputes between UK and Dutch companies, and family cases, including applications under the Hague Convention when a child is taken between the two countries. For these bookings we look for Dutch interpreters with legal experience and, where interpreters holding them exist for Dutch, the Diploma in Public Service Interpreting (Law) or registration with the National Register of Public Service Interpreters (NRPSI). If the case concerns Belgian law, tell us, so we can send an interpreter who knows Belgian legal terms.
How to book a Dutch interpreter
- Tell us about the assignment: the date, time and address, or that you need telephone or video; how long it should last; and what it is for, such as a hospital appointment, a hearing or a business meeting.
- Tell us about the speaker: their country or region and, if you know it, their dialect. Mention any preference for a male or female interpreter.
- Get your quote. We email you a quote, with no obligation to book.
Call 0800 2425 125, email info@uklinguisticservices.co.uk or request a quote online.
About the Dutch language
Dutch is a West Germanic language, spoken mainly in the Netherlands, Flanders in Belgium, and Suriname. It is an official language of the Netherlands, Belgium and Suriname and of the European Union.
Dutch is written in the Latin alphabet.
At the 2021 Census, 19,064 usual residents of England and Wales aged three or over gave Dutch as their main language. The local authorities with the most were Birmingham (542 people), the City of Westminster (416) and the London borough of Tower Hamlets (408). Source: Office for National Statistics.
Before you book: The Netherlands and Belgium share written Dutch but have different legal systems and terms, so tell us which country a legal document comes from or is going to.
| Name in Dutch | Nederlands |
|---|---|
| Language family | West Germanic language |
| Where it is spoken | The Netherlands, Flanders in Belgium, and Suriname |
| Writing system | Latin alphabet |
| Language code | nl |
| Main language in England and Wales (Census 2021) | 19,064 people |
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Dutch interpreters near you
We send Dutch interpreters to appointments across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and telephone and video interpreting work wherever you are. Choose a town for its local page.
Dutch interpreter and translator FAQs
How quickly can I book a Dutch interpreter?
We take bookings 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Telephone and video interpreting are usually the quickest to arrange. For a face-to-face appointment, give us as much notice as you can: same-day cover is often possible, but it depends on where you are and how many Dutch interpreters work nearby.
How much does a Dutch interpreter cost?
The price depends on the type of interpreting (face-to-face, telephone or video), how long the appointment lasts, where it is and how much notice you give. We quote before anything is booked, and quotes are free: call 0800 2425 125 or use our online quote form.
Can you certify Dutch translations for a UK visa or immigration application?
Yes. We translate and certify documents such as birth and marriage certificates, passports and police certificates for visa, settlement and citizenship applications. UK Visas and Immigration asks for each translation to confirm that it is accurate and to show the date and the translator's full name, signature and contact details, so tell us when you order that the document is for an immigration application.
Do you provide Dutch interpreters for courts, tribunals and police interviews?
Yes. Tell us the setting when you book, for example a Crown Court trial, an immigration tribunal hearing or a police interview under caution, so we can match a Dutch interpreter with the right legal experience and qualifications.
How many people speak Dutch in the UK?
At the 2021 Census, 19,064 usual residents of England and Wales aged three or over gave Dutch as their main language. The local authorities with the most were Birmingham (542 people), the City of Westminster (416) and the London borough of Tower Hamlets (408). The census asked for each person's main language, so people who speak Dutch at home but gave English as their main language are not in that figure. Scotland and Northern Ireland count languages in their own censuses.
