Calls You'll Make When Relocating Abroad: How to Handle Language

Moving abroad means making dozens of calls you may have never made at home, from calls with landlord in another language to school desks and clinics. You make them to find an apartment, open a bank account, sign up for school, see a doctor and deal with local government. Most of these calls are now routine administrative tasks, so they follow the same script every time. The language barrier is the only surprise. This guide breaks down which of these calls you can handle with a translation tool and which ones need a certified interpreter, plus the fastest way to set up a translator for a video call.

If you also need a general tool for voice calls, see our phone call translator guide; for the workplace side, read about the language barrier at work, run multilingual meetings and practise phone calls in English.

Which calls need what kind of translator

Not all calls are equal. A payment arrangement with a landlord is different from a visa interview with immigration.

Rule of thumb: if the other side is a person or small business repeating a standard process, translation works. If it's a legal or government decision that affects your rights, use a certified interpreter in that country.

How to set up a translator for a landlord or bank call

The fastest way is to invite the translator to join a short video call. Here is the step-by-step process.

Step 1: Propose a video call

If the landlord or bank representative expects a phone call, send them a brief message first:

"Hi [Name], I'd like to discuss [topic]. To help with the language barrier, would you be open to a quick video call instead? It's on Zoom or Google Meet and will take about [time estimate]. Let me know what works for you."

Most people will agree if the topic is important. If they refuse, ask if there is someone else at their office who speaks your language, or if they use email for the same information.

Step 2: Choose a video platform

Pick a platform the other side already uses or recognizes: Google Meet, Zoom or Microsoft Teams are the most common. Send them the link 30 minutes before the call, with the title and time in your time zone and theirs. Example:

"Our call is on Google Meet at Monday 14:00 CET / 09:00 EST. Here's the link: [URL]. I'll have a translator with me to help with the language."

Step 3: Add the translator as a participant

Two options:

Option A: Professional translator

• Hire a translator for one hour through a platform like Interpreter.com or ask your local interpreter association. Availability depends on language and country.
• The translator joins the call with their own device.
• You do not need to do anything else; the translator handles their side.

Option B: Translation bot

• Use a meeting translator like Akume, which joins the call and translates both sides. No setup needed; the translator bot appears as a participant on the screen.
• You do not need to brief the translator; they hear everything both of you say.
• Ask the other side if they are comfortable with an automated translator or prefer a human one.

Step 4: Confirm what was said

Just before the call ends, summarize the key points:

You: "Before we finish, let me make sure I got everything right. I understood that [1] the rent is [amount] per month, [2] I move in on 1 November, and [3] I should send you the deposit by 25 October. Is that correct?"

They: "Yes, that's right."

This is the hardest but most important step. If the translator is automated, ask them to wait while you read the summary in their language first so they can correct you.

Step 5: Send a written follow-up

Within 30 minutes, send an email in both languages with the summary:

Subject: Confirmation – Apartment Rental Conversation

"Hi [Name],

Thank you for today's call. To make sure we are in agreement, here is a summary of what we discussed:

• Monthly rent: [amount]
• Move-in date: November 1, 2024
• Deposit due: October 25, 2024

Please reply to confirm these details, or let me know if I misunderstood anything.

Best regards, [Your name]"

Send this in both English and their language if possible. If they reply in writing, you have a record.

What to say when the translator joins

If you are using a human translator, introduce them the moment they join:

"Hello [Name], I would like to introduce you to [Translator Name], who will be translating for me today. [Translator], are you able to hear both of us?"

Then let the translator speak. Do not interrupt.

If you are using an automated translator like Akume, you can say:

"I have a translation assistant joining us to help with the language. You will see captions, and I will see your words translated. This helps us both stay clear."

Calls by country: what you need to know

Germany

Language: German is essential for government and legal matters. English is less common outside Berlin.

Landlord/apartment: Many landlords in Berlin and Munich speak English, but smaller cities do not. Most rental contracts are in German. Use a translator for the initial call, but hire a certified translator to review the contract before you sign. Certification: BDÜ (German Translators and Interpreters Association) or chambers of commerce.

Bank: German banks require German ID to open an account. The call is usually in English at larger branches. Smaller towns require German or a translator.

Immigration/residence: The Ausländerbehörde (foreigners' office) does not allow automated translators; you must bring a certified interpreter or a German-speaking friend.

Key phrase to start: "Guten Tag, mein Name ist [Name], und ich spreche nicht sehr gut Deutsch. Können wir auf Englisch sprechen oder brauchen Sie einen Übersetzer?"

Spain and Portugal

Language: Spanish and Portuguese are spoken by many people, but English proficiency drops outside cities.

Landlord/apartment: Common. Most agents in Barcelona and Madrid speak English. Smaller towns require translation. Rental contracts are in Spanish/Portuguese and legally binding; hire someone to review them.

Bank: Most Spanish and Portuguese banks in cities offer English, but some forms and rules are Spanish/Portuguese only.

Immigration/residence: Spain requires a certified translator for NIE (foreigner ID) applications. Portugal is more flexible in Lisbon but rural areas require translation.

Key phrase (Spain): "Hola, me llamo [Name]. No hablo bien español. ¿Podemos hablar en inglés o necesita un traductor?"

Key phrase (Portugal): "Olá, meu nome é [Name]. Não falo muito bem português. Podemos falar em inglês ou você precisa de um tradutor?"

Türkiye

Language: Turkish is the only official language. English is less common outside Istanbul and Ankara.

Landlord/apartment: Most Istanbul landlords and agents will use WhatsApp and Google Translate. Outside Istanbul, expect Turkish only.

Bank/government: Turkish banks and offices in Istanbul offer limited English. Outside cities, translation is necessary.

Key phrase: "Merhaba, adım [Name]. Türkçe çok iyi konuşmuyorum. İngilizce konuşabilir miyiz veya bir çevirmen lazım mı?"

Kazakhstan

Language: Kazakh and Russian are official. Many older residents speak Russian, younger people speak some English.

Landlord/apartment: Russian is common in cities. Expect Kazakh in government offices.

Immigration/residence: RES office (migration police) requires a certified translator for non-CIS citizens.

Key phrase (Russian): "Привет, меня зовут [Name]. Я плохо говорю на русском. Мы можем говорить по-английски или нам нужен переводчик?"

Israel

Language: Hebrew and Arabic are official; English is widely spoken, especially in Tel Aviv.

Landlord/apartment: Most Tel Aviv landlords and agents speak English. Outside Tel Aviv, Hebrew is necessary.

Bank/government: English is common in banks in Tel Aviv; government offices require Hebrew or a translator.

Key phrase: "שלום, קוראים לי [Name]. אני לא מדברת עברית טוב מאוד. אנחנו יכולים לדבר אנגלית או אתה צריך תרגמן?"

Japan

Language: Japanese is almost always required for landlords, banks and government. English is rare outside Tokyo.

Landlord/apartment: Most Tokyo landlords use LINE or email with Google Translate. Outside Tokyo, expect Japanese only or an agent who speaks English.

Bank: Japanese banks require Japanese or a translator for account opening.

Government/residence: The municipal office (ward office) requires a certified interpreter for visa and residence applications.

Key phrase: "こんにちは。私の名前は[Name]です。日本語があまり話せません。英語で話せますか、それとも通訳が必要ですか?"

A final note: always ask for written confirmation

No matter where you are or what language is spoken, ask for a written follow-up. This protects you if there is a misunderstanding later. For leases and government documents, keep a PDF or photo of every page you sign.