If you plan to study in Serbia, translating and legalising your official documents is a decisive part of the application. Diplomas and academic records are only accepted if they are translated by a certified translator and authenticated under international or national rules. This guide explains step by step how to prepare documents for studying in Serbia, focusing on the difference between the apostille and embassy legalisation depending on your country, plus the certified-translation requirements for international students.

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What is a certified translation for studying in Serbia?

A certified translation for studying in Serbia is an official translation made by a translator appointed by a Serbian court. It is used to render the content of official documents such as school certificates, academic transcripts, birth certificates and police clearance certificates. Translations that are not certified are not accepted by the Serbian authorities.

The translation must be made from the original language of the document into Serbian or English, depending on the requirements of the university or authority concerned. It must be accurate and bear the certified translator’s signature and stamp, with the translator’s details on the translation sheet.

Certified translation requirements in Serbia

• The translator must be appointed by a Serbian court (a Serbian court interpreter).
• The translation must be written on official paper showing the translator’s name, signature and stamp.
• The translation must be attached to a copy of the original document.
• It is best if the translation comes with a confirmation from the translator that he or she is certified.

International legalisation: apostille vs embassy legalisation

After translation, the document must be authenticated through an international legalisation step: either the apostille or embassy legalisation, depending on the country that issued the document.

What is an apostille?

An apostille is an official certificate issued by a competent authority in the country that issued the document, confirming that the signature and stamp on it are genuine. It is used between member states of the Hague Apostille Convention, which includes most European countries, Serbia among them.

If you come from a country that is a party to the Hague Convention (for example the UK, the US, India, Turkey or Morocco), you can use an apostille instead of embassy legalisation. This is the faster and cheaper option.

Apostille Section – Hague Conference (HCCH)

What is embassy legalisation?

If you come from a country that is not a party to the Hague Convention (for example Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Iran or Libya), your document has to go through a chain of diplomatic authentications. The process starts with certification by the foreign ministry of your country, followed by legalisation at the Serbian embassy in your country, and the document is finally submitted in Serbia.

This system is more complex and slower, and can take 4 to 8 weeks. The document must be translated first and then authenticated in several steps.

Legalisation convention – Wikipedia

Do legalisation requirements differ by nationality?

Yes, legalisation requirements depend on your nationality. For example:

• Egyptians: need the full chain (Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, then the Serbian embassy), because Egypt is not a party to the Apostille Convention.
• Saudis: an apostille from the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs is used.
• Iranians: Iran is not party to the Hague Convention, so embassy legalisation through the Serbian embassy in Tehran is needed.
• Iraqis: need certification from the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, then the Serbian embassy in Baghdad.

So it is important to check whether an apostille or embassy legalisation applies to your nationality. See the guide to studying in Serbia for Egyptians or the guide to studying in Serbia for Iraqis for nationality-specific details.

Steps to translate and legalise documents for studying in Serbia

Here is the practical sequence for preparing your documents for application in Serbia, whatever your nationality:

1. Collect the original documents: gather everything required, such as your high-school certificate, academic transcript, birth certificate and police clearance certificate (if applicable).
2. Certified translation: have the documents translated from their original language into Serbian or English by a translator certified by a Serbian court. Do not use machine translation.
3. Check apostille or legalisation: check whether your country is a party to the Hague Convention. If it is, request the apostille from the competent authority in your country. If not, start the embassy legalisation chain.
4. Submit the documents to the Serbian embassy: if you need embassy legalisation, ask the Serbian embassy in your country to legalise the document once it has been translated.
5. Recognition of the certificate in Serbia: once legalised and translated, submit your high-school certificate to the Serbian Qualifications Agency (AZK – the ENIC/NARIC centre) to obtain the recognition decision that universities require for enrolment. You can check this on the Serbian Qualifications Agency (AZK) website.

How long translation and legalisation take

The timeline varies by country and nationality:

• In Hague Convention member countries: 1–3 weeks.
• In non-member countries: 4–8 weeks or more.

We recommend starting translation and legalisation at least 6 months before your application deadline.

Can I apply without translation and legalisation?

Certified translation and legalisation are normally required, and requirements vary by university, so check before applying. Most universities reject documents that are untranslated or not legalised. Even if a university accepts a translation from a non-certified translator, you will later need an official certified translation to have your certificate recognised.

If you are applying to an English-taught programme, a language certificate (such as IELTS or TOEFL) may be accepted without translation, but academic certificates must be translated and certified.

Important notes on translating and legalising documents for studying in Serbia

• Translations from websites or machine-translation tools are not accepted.
• The translation must be written on official paper, with the translator’s signature and identification details.
• If you come from a country that is not a party to the Hague Convention, it is best to have the translation authenticated by the Serbian embassy in your country.
• Fees vary by country and university, and cover translation, legalisation and recognition.

Frequently asked questions

Can I translate my documents in another country?

Yes, documents can be translated in another country, provided the translation is made by a translator certified by a Serbian court and legalisation follows the system that applies in your country. However, translating in your own country is preferable to avoid extra costs.

What is the difference between a certified translation and a legal translation?

A certified translation in Serbia is made by a translator certified by a Serbian court and contains the translator’s signature and details. “Legal translation” is a general term sometimes used for any official translation, but it is not legally defined in Serbia. It is best to use “certified translation” for a translation that is officially accepted.

Is a foreign high-school certificate accepted without a certified translation?

No. A foreign high-school certificate is not accepted without a certified translation by a translator certified by a Serbian court. It must be translated into Serbian or English and legalised under the international or diplomatic system that applies to your nationality.

Can I apply for certificate recognition before translation?

No, the document must first be translated and certified before you submit the recognition application.

What are the approximate costs of translating and legalising documents for studying in Serbia?

Costs vary by country and university, but they typically range from 50 to 200 euros for translation and legalisation, and can be higher if embassy legalisation is needed. Check costs with the official authority in your country.

If you plan to study in Serbia, translating and legalising your documents is a necessary step you cannot skip. Whatever your country, understanding the difference between the apostille and embassy legalisation and following the right steps will give you a better chance of admission to a Serbian university. Start early and use official resources such as the Serbia student visa guide and certificate recognition in Serbia to keep your process smooth. Don’t forget to check the best universities in Serbia and the cost of studying in Serbia to make a well-informed decision.

Last updated: 2026

Official sources

• Apostille Section – Hague Conference (HCCH)
• Legalisation convention – Wikipedia
• Serbian Qualifications Agency (certificate recognition)