Certified Translation of Malaysian Documents for Austria
Short answer: in Austria a certified translation is made by "einem allgemein beeideten und gerichtlich zertifizierten Dolmetsch", a sworn, court-certified interpreter, with the date, signature and seal. Several Austrian offices accept English, though: Vienna's immigration office (MA 35) needs a German translation only for documents in a language other than German or English, and the Red-White-Red Card accepts translations into German or English. A translation made in Malaysia must itself be legalised.
What we do: certified Malay-to-English translations, legalised through Wisma Putra and the Austrian Embassy together with the original, for Austrian offices that accept English. Send your document on WhatsApp.
Last reviewed: October 2026. For legalisation, see legalising Malaysian documents for Austria.
When English is enough
MA 35 in Vienna (residence permits, Red-White-Red Card, citizenship): a German translation only for documents "in einer anderen Sprache als Deutsch oder Englisch".
Red-White-Red Card (federal): translations into German or English.
FH Wien: documents in German or English.
Residence-permit regulation: a German translation is needed if the authority asks for it.
When you need a German court-certified translation
Courts and certified translations generally: under § 190 of the Non-Contentious Proceedings Act, by a sworn, court-certified interpreter.
Registry offices (marriage): Vienna asks for translation by a court interpreter, unless the documents are international multilingual extracts.
Some universities: MedUni Graz wants German translations of all foreign-language documents; FH Wien wants court-sworn translators for languages other than German or English.
Any document in Malay: it needs a translation into German or, where accepted, English.
Translations made in Malaysia
Austria treats a translation made abroad like a foreign document: it must be legalised in the country where it was made. A translation by a sworn translator in Austria needs no legalisation. MedUni Graz accepts a foreign translation only if it is legalised or confirmed by a court-sworn interpreter in Austria. So a Malay-to-English translation made in Malaysia goes through Wisma Putra and the Austrian Embassy with the original; see who can certify a translation.
Translate after legalisation
FH Wien asks for the translation to be made after legalisation and bound inseparably to the original, so the stamps are translated too. Keep names spelled the same in every translation.
Common questions
Where do I find a court-certified interpreter in Austria?
In the Austrian Ministry of Justice's register of court interpreters (SDG list) on JustizOnline.
Does my English degree need a German translation?
Not for FH Wien or Vienna's MA 35, which accept English. Other universities, such as MedUni Graz, may still want German.
Can my Malaysian translation be used in Austria?
Yes, where the office accepts it, once it is legalised along with the original through Wisma Putra and the Austrian Embassy.
Related guides
Sources: