How do you translate contracts accurately?

In the globalized world of 2026, translating legal documents, such as leases, employment contracts and purchase deeds, has become a daily necessity. For expats, international entrepreneurs, and even individuals moving across borders, understanding the “fine print” is the difference between a successful transaction and a legal quagmire. However, a contract is not an ordinary text; it is an instrument full of jargon, specific legal concepts and clauses that can have a different legal weight in each language.

Accurately translating a contract requires more than just a good command of two languages. It requires insight into the legal systems of both countries. In this article, we'll discuss how to ensure a watertight translation of your most important documents by 2026.

The limitations of machine translation (AI)

While AI translation tools such as DeepL and advanced LLMs appear impressively accurate in 2026, they remain risky for legal texts. Machine translation often does not understand the contextual meaning of a legal term.

• Terminological nuances: A word like “liability” can cover different things in Dutch, depending on whether it concerns a criminal or civil context. An AI can choose the wrong variant, making the translation legally invalid or misleading.
• Grammatical precision: In contracts, one comma or a misplaced auxiliary verb can change the meaning of an entire clause. AI models tend to make texts “beautiful”, while legal texts need to be “precise”. Therefore, in 2026, only use AI for a first quick scan, never as a final document.

The role of the certified translator

For official purposes, such as purchasing a home or applying to the IND, a certified translation is often required in 2026. A sworn translator is authorized by a court and is registered in the Register of Sworn Interpreters and Translators (RBTV).

A certified translation includes a statement, stamp and signature by the translator. This officially confirms that the translation is a true and accurate representation of the original document. For complex contracts in 2026, this status is crucial because it offers legal certainty to both parties. Should a dispute arise later about the interpretation, the certified translation is the document on which the judge will rely.

Legal equivalence: Translating concepts

One of the biggest challenges in translating contracts is that some legal concepts simply don't exist in the target language. The Dutch term “leasehold”, for example, has no direct, identical counterpart in any other legal system.

An accurate translation in 2026 uses “legal equivalence.” This means that the translator does not just replace words, but looks for the term that has the most similar effects in the other legal system. Sometimes, the original term is placed in brackets after the translation to avoid confusion. This prevents a party from having rights or obligations that were never intended in the original contract.

Maintain structure and layout

An accurate translation must strictly follow the structure of the original document. In 2026, translators will use advanced software (CAT tools) to ensure that article numbers, paragraphs, and sub-clauses match exactly.

This is essential for readability during negotiations. When party A talks about “Article 4.2”, party B must be able to look directly at exactly the same point in the translation. A deviation in the numbering or format may lead to fatal errors during the execution of the contract. In addition, definitions (often at the beginning of a contract) must be consistently translated throughout the text; if “the Owner” is called that in the first paragraph, it may not suddenly become “the Owner” later.

The need for a legal check

Even the best translation doesn't replace a lawyer's expertise. In 2026, the gold standard for international contracts is a two-step process: first translation by a language specialist, followed by a review by a lawyer who knows both legal systems.

The lawyer checks whether the translated text still complies with the mandatory legislation of the country where the contract is executed. In the Netherlands, for example, many rent protection rules are “mandatory law”; even if a translated contract says you must leave the home within a week, Dutch law can overrule this. An accurate translation must reflect this legal reality or at least make the tenant/buyer aware of this via footnotes.

Localization of units and data

Small details could cause major problems in 2026. Examples include translating currencies, surface measurements (square meters versus square feet) and date formats. A contract that expires on 03-04-2026 means 3 April in the Netherlands, but 4 March in the United States.

Accurate translation also means “localizing”. A good translator ensures that these units are adapted to the standard of the target language country, or adds clarification to rule out ambiguity. This also applies to payment terms; “within 14 days” should clarify in the translation whether this concerns calendar days or business days, as this may vary legally from country to country.

The contract translation process in 2026 is a delicate balance between linguistic flexibility and legal rigour. If you save on a professional translation, you take a risk that the savings often exceed many times over in the form of fines, missed rights or lengthy lawsuits.