Frequently Asked Questions

M21Global is a company specialising in translations, with a particular focus on technical and legal translations. With more than 15 years of experience in translation, at M21Global we are proud to have completed more than 20,000 projects, translating over 300 million words for more than 4,000 satisfied clients. Our commitment goes far beyond simple translation. From the first contact with our company, our dedicated project managers ensure agile, personalised and efficient communication.

We offer a wide range of services, including written translations, website translation, software localisation, transcriptions, subtitling and Desktop Publishing. However, except in exceptional circumstances, we do not provide interpretation services.

We offer translations in more than 60 languages, including the main European languages: Portuguese, English, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Dutch. In addition, thanks to our network of international partners, we also translate into Eastern European, Scandinavian, Asian and African languages, such as Mandarin, Arabic, Russian, among others.

To request a translation or obtain a quote, follow these steps:

1. Send us the document you wish to translate by e-mail.
2. Specify the target language and mention the language pair.
3. Indicate whether you need certification or the Hague Apostille.
4. If you have a specific deadline or date by which you need the translated documents, please mention it.
5. In the e-mail, also include your telephone number for any additional clarifications.
6. After receiving your request, we will provide a detailed quote offering two deadline options: standard and expedited, along with their respective prices.
7. If your document is in physical format, you can scan it (or take a photo with your mobile phone) and send it by e-mail, or alternatively send it by registered mail. We guarantee the safe return of your original document.

We normally provide quotes within 3 hours. However, for files that are not editable or are particularly lengthy, the response time may be slightly longer. In any case, we will notify you within that period if we need more time to analyse your request.

No, requesting a quote from M21Global is completely free of charge.

We accept payments by bank transfer, Multibanco reference (Portugal), credit card and PayPal. Choose the method that is most convenient for you.

The cost of a translation is influenced by various factors, including the word count, the languages involved, the complexity of the subject matter, the technical level of the language, the urgency of the deadline, the formats of the original and desired delivery documents, and the availability of the materials. Each of these elements is considered when calculating the quote to ensure a precise and fair estimate.

M21Global has in its ranks translators and reviewers specialised in various technical fields. We are equipped to work with documents related to engineering, marketing, finance, law, medicine, and other areas. Regardless of the complexity or specificity of your document, we have qualified professionals to ensure an accurate translation appropriate to the technical context.

No, M21Global guarantees delivery of the translation in the requested format, whether PDF, PPT or any other, at no additional cost. Our goal is to provide maximum convenience and satisfaction for our clients.

To translate the content of a website, follow these steps:

1. Provide us with the link to the website you wish to translate.
2. If possible, export and send us the site content in xliff, xlz, xml or html formats. If you are unsure how to do this, your site administrator or webmaster can assist. If this export is not possible, please send us the compiled content in Word format.
3. Once translated, the content exported in the aforementioned formats can easily be reimported into your website. M21Global guarantees accurate and high-quality translation, respecting the original structure and format of your site.

M21Global prides itself on guaranteeing maximum quality in every project. Our methodology involves several stages and professionals, including project manager, formatter, glossarist, translator, reviewer and a quality control phase. When an order is placed after 5:30 PM, the translation process can only effectively begin the next working day, unless it is an urgent case. This approach ensures that every project receives the attention and care needed to deliver high-quality translations.

The specific language and terminology of a company are distinctive elements that reflect its identity and corporate culture. By providing us with reference materials, you are helping us understand and adopt that unique language, which allows us to ensure that translations are not only accurate, but also aligned with your company's terminology and style. In this way, we can ensure a standardised and coherent translation that faithfully respects and reflects the language and terms already established by your organisation.

Yes, these terms are frequently used and all have the same meaning. They all refer to a type of translation that is officially recognised and validated by a competent authority or qualified professional, guaranteeing its accuracy and authenticity. This translation is generally required for official or legal documents to be presented to government or judicial entities.

No, in Portugal it is not the translators who are sworn. Instead, it is the translations that are certified, i.e. authenticated or sworn. Only interpreters who work in courts take an oath. Unlike other countries, Portugal does not have the figure of a "certified translator". Certified translations are signed by a translator, and that signature is subsequently certified by a lawyer or notary.

To request an official or authenticated translation, follow the steps below:

1. Scan the document you wish to translate and send it by e-mail or through the form available on our website. If you do not have a scanner, you can use your phone camera to photograph the documents and send them by e-mail.
2. Indicate the target language, state whether you need authentication and/or the Hague Apostille, and if you have a specific deadline, please inform us.
3. After receiving your request, we will provide a detailed quote offering two deadline options: standard and expedited, along with their respective prices.
4. If you prefer, you can deliver the documents directly to our offices and obtain the quote immediately. Alternatively, you can send them by registered mail.
5. It is essential that you provide us with the original document or an authenticated photocopy at least 2 working days before the established deadline, otherwise there is a risk of delaying delivery of the translated document.
6. This procedure ensures that the translation is officially recognised and has legal validity, being accepted by entities and institutions that require such authentication.

We translate and certify translations for all countries that are signatories to the Hague Convention. The main languages for which we offer this service include: Spanish, French, English, Portuguese, Italian, German, Dutch, Swedish, Greek and Arabic, among others. If the language you need is not mentioned on this list, please contact us for more information.

A certified translation in Portugal, intended for use exclusively within the country, consists of:

1. The original document or text in the source language.
2. The translation of the text in the target language.
3. A declaration signed by the translator, whose signature is certified by a lawyer or notary, attesting that the translation is faithful to the original document.
4. In the case of a destination in a foreign country, a sealed cover page with the Hague Apostille will be added.

Yes, you may, provided that the original document is not part of the aforementioned document, but rather its authenticated photocopy. It is important to understand that the certified translation includes all the documents mentioned in the previous point and none of them can be removed — otherwise the translation loses its validity. If you foresee needing the original document for other purposes in the future, do not hand it over for translation. Instead, provide an authenticated photocopy, or if you prefer, we can arrange this authentication. Documents such as Birth Certificates, Diplomas, medical declarations and others that are difficult to obtain or costly to re-issue should be preserved. In short, keep documents that are difficult or expensive to replace.

The Hague Apostille is a certificate that validates signatures, seals or stamps on a public document, issued by a competent authority of a country. It functions as an authentication of a photocopy or recognition of a signature, certifying that the signature, seal or stamp on the document was issued by a public official in their official capacity. The main purpose of the Apostille is to ensure that a public document from one country is recognised in a foreign country. Thus, the Hague Apostille recognises that the act carried out in Portugal by a lawyer when certifying a translation is a valid public act. Therefore, the translation certified in Portugal is accepted in all countries that are signatories to the Convention. To find out whether the entity to which your certified translation is addressed requires the Hague Apostille, it is essential to contact that entity directly and ask about the formalities required for certified translations of documents. Not all entities require the Apostille, and in rare cases some entities from signatory countries to the Hague Convention may not accept translations bearing the Apostille. For a complete list of countries that accept the Hague Apostille, you may consult the official Hague Convention website.