Buying a Home in Europe: What Americans Need to Know

For many Americans, the dream of owning a home in Europe is more than just a fantasy. Whether it’s a sun-drenched villa in Italy, a stone cottage in the French countryside, or a modern apartment in Berlin, the idea of planting roots across the Atlantic is incredibly appealing. But once you move past the romantic Instagram vision, the real work begins — and that’s when documents, paperwork, and translations come into play.

We’ve helped many clients through the process of buying property in Europe, and if there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s this: don’t underestimate the paperwork.

Buying a home abroad often means navigating foreign legal systems, interacting with banks in another language, and signing contracts you may not fully understand. In many countries, you'll need sworn or certified translations of your official documents — like proof of income, marriage certificates, or bank statements — before you can even open a bank account or apply for a mortgage. And yes, that applies even if your bank is back in the U.S. Sometimes, they’ll ask for notarized or translated paperwork to comply with their own international lending rules.

But getting the paperwork translated isn’t just about ticking boxes. It’s about protecting yourself. When you’re signing a sales agreement or mortgage contract in another language, it’s not enough to “kind of” know what it says. You want to be absolutely sure. You want to understand what you’re committing to — what the timelines are, what your responsibilities will be, and what happens if something goes wrong.

This is where sworn translations become essential. A sworn translator is not just someone who speaks two languages. In countries like France, Spain, and Germany, they’re officially appointed professionals who are authorized to produce legally binding translations for use in court, with notaries, or for banks and public authorities. When you have a sworn translation, you know it’s not just accurate — it’s official.

We often hear from clients after they’ve hit a roadblock: a bank that won’t process their application because of missing documentation, a notary who refuses to validate a purchase without a proper translation, or buyers who realize — a little too late — that they didn’t fully grasp what they were signing. That’s why we recommend involving a sworn translator early in the process, not just at the end.

And beyond the practicalities, there’s peace of mind. "You’re making a huge investment — not just financially, but emotionally. This isn’t just a transaction; it’s the beginning of a new life chapter", David, manager at Translations for Europe says. "Whether you're relocating, retiring, or just setting up a holiday home, you want the entire process to be smooth, understandable, and legally secure. Our goal is to help make that happen."

At Translations for Europe, we work closely with sworn translators across the EU and know exactly what kind of documentation you’ll need depending on the country and situation. We’re here to explain what needs to be translated, help you prioritize, and make sure nothing gets lost in the fine print — or in translation.

Thinking of buying a home in Europe? Let us know where you're headed and what you need — and we’ll help you every step of the way.