How much does a sworn translation cost in Italy?
A sworn translation in Italy costs at least EUR 16 in stamp duty every four pages, but the real cost for a short document is often around EUR 96 once the translator's fee is added.
Verifiable answer
A sworn translation in Italy costs at least EUR 16 in stamp duty every four pages, but the real cost for a short document is often around EUR 96 once the translator's fee is added.
- How much does a sworn translation cost in Italy?
- €96 / short document
- €16 – €220
- Italy
- 23 July 2026
- Confidence: Medium
- EUR 16 stamp duty from the first page; Additional stamp duty every four translation pages; Oath statement counted in the page total where applicable; Professional fee if a translator is hired
- Later legalisation or apostille; Shipping original documents; Long or urgent technical translations; Exemptions for specific procedures
- Number of pages and lines; Source and target language; Delivery urgency; Need for apostille or legalisation; Possible stamp-duty exemption
- 2 sources
Official price versus real cost
Official price
€16
/ short document
Difference+€80 (+500%)
Real cost
€96
€16 – €220
The official minimum is EUR 16 stamp duty. The real cost almost always includes the translator's work and can rise with page count, urgency, language and later formalities.
Short answer
A sworn translation has a small official part and a variable professional part. Stamp duty is verifiable; the translator's fee depends on language, urgency and document complexity.
A sworn translation is needed when a translated document has to be filed with an authority, court, school or administration with formal value. It is often described as if it had one fixed price, but the cost is made of two different layers. The first is stamp duty: EUR 16 from the first page and then every four pages, unless an exemption applies. The second is the translator's work, which is not set by a national tariff and varies by language, length, urgency and subject matter. A very simple page can cost little more than the fiscal minimum if you translate it yourself and the office accepts it; a certificate handled by a professional easily reaches about one hundred euro.
What is included
- EUR 16 stamp duty from the first page
- Additional stamp duty every four translation pages
- Oath statement counted in the page total where applicable
- Professional fee if a translator is hired
What is not included
- Later legalisation or apostille
- Shipping original documents
- Long or urgent technical translations
- Exemptions for specific procedures
How the price breaks down
| Item | Type | Frequency | Minimum | Typical | Maximum |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum stamp dutyOne EUR 16 stamp is due from the first page and then every four pages, unless an exemption applies. | Compulsory | one-off | — | €16 | — |
| Translator's feeMarket item: it depends on language, urgency, length and subject matter. | Optional | one-off | €80 | €80 | €200 |
What the price depends on
- Number of pages and lines
- Source and target language
- Delivery urgency
- Need for apostille or legalisation
- Possible stamp-duty exemption
Hidden costs
- The oath statement can trigger an extra stamp if it pushes the document past four pages
- Rare languages and technical documents increase the professional fee
- Same-day urgency can multiply the quote
- Apostille or legalisation are separate procedures
Three realistic scenarios
Stamp only
€16
Very short document translated by yourself, if accepted by the office.
Short document
€96
One stamp plus a cautious professional fee.
Urgent
€220
Longer or urgent document, with more stamps and higher fee.
How to spend less
- Count pages including the oath statement before buying stamp duty.
- Ask whether the document falls under a stamp-duty exemption.
- Provide a clean, complete document: poor scans increase time and cost.
- Check with the receiving authority whether it needs sworn translation, legalisation or both.
- Avoid urgency where possible, because it is the biggest fee driver.
Frequently asked questions
Is stamp duty enough for a sworn translation?
No. Stamp duty covers the tax due on the sworn document, not the translation work. If you hire a professional, you add their fee and possibly delivery costs.
Is one stamp needed every four pages?
The court page checked states EUR 16 from the first page and then every four pages, counting the oath statement. Exemptions and local practice should still be checked before the oath.
What is the difference between sworn translation and apostille?
A sworn translation is the translator's declaration before the office. Apostille or legalisation makes a public document recognisable abroad. They are different steps and may both be needed.
Sources and methodology
How we worked it out
The official component comes from the Rieti Court page and the Ministry of Justice clarification on stamp duty. For the real cost we use a cautious estimate: EUR 16 stamp duty plus a professional fee for a short document. We do not publish a national translator average because there is no single institutional source and prices vary sharply by language and urgency. The guide therefore separates the official minimum from the realistic bill paid when a professional is used.
Why this confidence level
Confidence is Medium: the fiscal part is documented by strong public sources, while the translator's fee is a market price and varies widely. The real cost is therefore a range, not a fixed tariff.
EUR 16 stamp duty from the first page and every four pages for the translation
Asseverazioni giurate di perizie e traduzioni (opens in a new tab)
Tribunale di Rieti · Public authority · Verified on 23 July 2026
Institutional source used for the official part of sworn translation; the translator's fee remains a market price.
Authority5/5
Ministerial clarification on stamp duty for sworn translations
Ministero della Giustizia · Public authority · Verified on 23 July 2026
Used to support the stamp-duty treatment, not to derive the professional translation fee.
Authority5/5
Revision history
First published on 2026-07-23 with court and ministry sources checked.
- 23 July 2026
- 23 July 2026
- 23 October 2026
What did you actually pay?
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