Connect and share knowledge with DG Translation and our expert staff. Find out how translators work with tools, terminology and quality processes across the EU’s 24 official languages, and hear about our ongoing work on language data and AI-based multilingual tools.
Visiting Translator Scheme
What is it?
The Visiting Translator Scheme is a knowledge‑sharing programme where DG Translation staff visit host organisations to explore translation-related topics of mutual interest. Activities include exchanges with experts, presentations, job shadowing and hands‑on sessions on translation, terminology and translation technology. Visits can take place on-site, online or both, and usually last up to a week.
Who can host a visiting translator?
- universities running translation programmes (priority is given to members of the European Master’s in Translation (EMT) network)
- public institutions, including ministries, research institutes, public bodies, international organisations and national banks
- private companies that have a translation department and use specialised terminology (e.g. laboratories, production units, banks and other financial organisations) – but not language service providers
What can the visit cover?
- cooperation on terminology, including IATE (Interactive Terminology for Europe)
- demonstrations of translation tools and workflows used by DG Translation (e.g. computer-assisted translation tools, eTranslation) and by the host organisation
- exchanges of good practices
- insights into editing and quality assurance in the European Commission
- career pathways and skills for working with or for the EU
- Q&A with Commission translators
Interested in hosting a visit?
- email dgt-vts
ec [dot] europa [dot] eu (dgt-vts[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu) to discuss your proposal
- if you run a university programme belonging to the EMT network, specify this in your message
Visits to DG Translation
What is it?
Visiting DG Translation on-site (in Brussels or Luxembourg) or online is an opportunity to meet translators and other language specialists, discover the tools they use and learn about EU language careers. We offer 2 types of visit:
- our annual virtual visit – an online programme introducing the work DG Translation does, including translation tools and methods
- a limited number of on-site visits – for groups of 10 to 80 participants on request, depending on availability
Who can participate?
- students and staff from translation and linguistics faculties
- professional translators and linguists from the language industry or public bodies
- groups from non-EU universities and organisations
- secondary school students and teachers
What does the programme typically cover?
- how DG Translation supports EU law‑making and public communication
- tools and data resources, including IATE (Interactive Terminology for Europe) and eTranslation
- working as an EU translator – skills, profiles and recruitment pathways
- Q&A with translators and coordinators
How to arrange a visit
- register for the annual virtual visit
- for on-site visits, email DGT-VISITS-1
Benefits of sharing knowledge
Hosting a visiting translator or visiting DG Translation can
- foster networking and boost cooperation between DG Translation and interested organisations on terminology, language technologies and working methods
- facilitate discussion on EU and national legislation, leading to more consistent terminology in national and EU law
- boost cooperation between the world of EU translation and European universities
- contribute to the training of future translation professionals
- promote multilingualism
- bring a better understanding of the EU institutions.