French Translation Services UK. English to French & French to English
Global LTS provides professional French translation for UK businesses and individuals, covering translation in both directions across all document types and sectors. France is the UK’s largest EU trading partner, with bilateral trade spanning manufacturing, financial services, food and drink, technology, and professional services. French is also an official language of 29 countries, with significant markets in Belgium, Switzerland, Canada, and across francophone Africa. Our French translators are native speakers with subject-matter expertise, working within our ISO 17100:2015 certified process. Get a free quote.
European French or Canadian French?
Standard European French is the international written standard used across France, Belgium, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and francophone Africa. It is the correct choice for business documents, legal texts, technical manuals, official correspondence, and any content targeting a pan-francophone audience.
Canadian French, specifically Quebec French, has distinct vocabulary and formal writing conventions. Consumer content targeting Quebec requires a translator who is a native speaker of Quebec French. Products sold in Quebec must carry French labelling compliant with the Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF).
Belgium and Switzerland use European French with specific regional vocabulary differences, particularly for numbers and some administrative terms. We confirm which variety is appropriate for your project before translation begins. See our post on European French vs Canadian French for a full explanation.
Documents We Translate
- Business contracts and commercial agreements
- Technical manuals, user manuals, and product specifications
- Legal documents, patents, and IP agreements
- Pharmaceutical and medical documentation
- Financial reports, prospectuses, and regulatory filings
- Marketing content, brochures, and product copy
- Website content and e-commerce product pages
- Product packaging and EU-compliant labelling
- Birth certificates, marriage certificates, and civil documents
- Academic transcripts and diplomas
- Criminal records and police clearance certificates
- Company registration documents (extrait Kbis and equivalents)
- Court documents and notarial deeds
- E-learning courses and training materials
Industries We Serve
Manufacturing and Engineering
The Toubon Law requires that products sold in France carry French-language documentation. User manuals, safety data sheets, and technical specifications must be translated into French and correctly formatted for French and EU regulatory requirements. See our technical translation services page.
Legal
France operates under a civil law system derived from the Napoleonic Code. Commercial contracts, IP agreements, company formations, and property documents for French parties require legal translators familiar with French civil law, not just the French language. Our legal translators understand the differences between UK common law and French civil law frameworks and translate accordingly.
Financial Services
UK financial services firms with French clients, French subsidiaries, or AMF regulatory obligations need accurate translation of prospectuses, client agreements, regulatory filings, and reporting. Our financial translators are familiar with both FCA and AMF regulatory terminology.
Pharmaceuticals and Life Sciences
Products entering the French market must meet ANSM regulatory requirements. Medical device and pharmaceutical documentation must be in French and meet EU regulatory standards. See our medical translation services page.
Food and Consumer Goods
Consumer products sold in France must carry French-language labelling under EU regulations and the Toubon Law. Mandatory allergen declarations, nutritional information, and additive listings must all appear in French. French text expands by 15 to 20 per cent relative to English. Account for this in packaging layout at the design stage.
E-Learning and Training
French is one of the most common target languages for corporate e-learning translation. French subsidiaries and employees based in France require training content in French. See our e-learning translation services page for full detail on course translation workflow.
Our French Translation Process
Step 1: Brief and variety confirmation
We confirm the target market and which variety of French is required. European French for France, Belgium, Switzerland, or international use; Quebec French for Canadian markets. We review any existing French materials to ensure terminology consistency.
Step 2: Translator assignment
We assign a native French translator who is a speaker of the target variety, with subject-matter expertise in your sector. All translators have a minimum of five years of specialist translation experience.
Step 3: Translation in MemoQ
We use MemoQ translation memory on all French projects. Approved terminology is stored and applied consistently across the project and all future projects. For businesses with ongoing French translation requirements, translation memory ensures consistency and reduces cost on repeated content over time.
Step 4: Second-linguist review
Every French translation is reviewed by a second qualified linguist before delivery. This is a mandatory requirement of our ISO 17100:2015 certified process.
Step 5: Delivery in your required format
We deliver in the format you need. Word, PDF, InDesign, XML, or native software format. French text expands by 15 to 20 per cent relative to English. For formatted documents, our DTP team handles layout adjustments to ensure the translated content fits correctly.
Certified French Translation
We provide certified French translations accepted by UKVI, the Home Office, HM Passport Office, and UK courts. French is one of the most commonly translated languages for UK immigration and official purposes, with documents regularly required from France, Belgium, Switzerland, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and other francophone countries.
Common documents include birth certificates (actes de naissance), marriage certificates (actes de mariage), divorce decrees, criminal records (casier judiciaire), academic transcripts, and company documents (extrait Kbis). See our guide to certified French translation in the UK and our certified translation services page for full details.
From the Global LTS Blog
- European French vs Canadian French: Which Version Does Your Translation Need?
- Certified French Translation in the UK: Documents, Requirements, and What to Expect
- French Translation for UK Businesses: Exporting to France, Belgium, and Francophone Markets
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you translate into European French or Canadian French?
Both. For business, legal, and technical content targeting France, Belgium, Switzerland, or an international audience, we use standard European French. For content targeting Quebec or other Canadian French markets, we use Canadian/Quebec French with native-speaking translators of that variety.
Does French text take up more space than English?
Yes. French text typically expands by 15 to 20 per cent relative to English. For formatted documents, packaging, and UI content, account for this in your layout. We handle DTP adjustments as part of delivery for formatted documents.
Can you certify a French translation?
Yes. We provide certified French translations with a signed statement of accuracy for UKVI, courts, the Home Office, and other official bodies.
Do you translate both English to French and French to English?
Yes. We translate in both directions across all document types. UK businesses receiving French contracts, technical documentation, or correspondence are as well served as those producing French content for export.
Is French required for products sold in France?
Yes. France’s Toubon Law requires French-language documentation, labelling, and commercial communications for products and services offered to French consumers and employees. This applies to packaging, user manuals, safety documentation, and marketing materials.
How long does French translation take?
Standard projects of up to 2,000 words typically take one to two working days. Larger or more complex projects are quoted with a timeline after briefing. Urgent turnaround is available.
Ready to start your French translation project? Contact Global LTS with your documents and target market for a free, no-obligation quote.
