When an official letter arrives in Catalan, Basque or Galician

Key rules

• Validity: A letter in a regional language is fully valid, so you must act on it.
• Spanish version: You can ask the issuing office in writing for a Spanish translation of that specific notice.
• Deadlines: Deadlines generally run from notification, not from when you receive a translation.
• When unsure: If a deadline is close and no translation has arrived, file your appeal in time.

The letter is valid, even if you cannot read it

A letter in Catalan, Basque or Galician counts as a proper official notice. Not understanding the language does not pause anything. Deadlines generally run from the day you were notified, so act on the letter now and do not wait for a translation.

What to do first

Find the notification date on the letter. Then look for the key words below to see whether a deadline or an appeal is involved. The checklist below walks you through the steps.

Key words in each language

You may also see "resolució" in Catalan and Galician, or "ebazpena" in Basque. Both mean the decision itself. Some local offices use slightly different wording.

Asking for a Spanish version

You can ask for a Spanish (castellano) translation. If you ask, the administration must provide it. The letter stays valid as issued.

1. Write a short request (an escrito or instancia) to the office that sent the letter. You can also send it through its online office (sede electrónica).
2. Name the specific notice you want translated, and include its reference number and date.
3. Keep proof that you sent it.

Ask quickly. Regional language rules add details, and a translation request does not necessarily stop the deadline. If a deadline is close and the translation has not arrived, file your appeal in time anyway. If you are unsure, ask the issuing office or your town hall what applies to your case.

Where this applies

This mainly affects Catalonia, the Basque Country and Galicia. Valencia, the Balearic Islands and parts of Navarre also have their own co-official languages, and their offices may write to you in them.

Timeline and deadlines

• Treat the letter as valid and note its notification date: as soon as it arrives

• Send your written request for a Spanish version: right away, without waiting to understand the letter

• File your appeal if the deadline is close and no translation has arrived: before the deadline counted from notification

Documents you need

• The letter itself, in its original regional language, which stays valid as issued.

• A written request (escrito or instancia) to the issuing office asking for a Spanish translation of that specific notice; you can send it through the office's online office (sede electrónica).

Checklist

• Find the notification date on the letter, because deadlines generally run from it.

• Look for the key words: termini, prazo or epea (deadline), and recurs, recurso or errekurtsoa (appeal).

• Write a request to the issuing office, or use its online office (sede electrónica), asking for a Spanish translation of that notice.

• Act on the letter without waiting for the translation, and file an appeal in time if you are unsure.

Frequently asked questions

Can I ask for a Spanish version of a letter written in Catalan, Basque or Galician?

Yes, if you are a party in the procedure you have the right to a Spanish translation of the letter, and the office must provide it when you ask. Send a written request (an escrito or instancia) to the office that issued it, or through its online office (sede electrónica), naming the specific notice.

Is a letter in a regional language still valid if I do not understand it?

Yes, a letter in a co-official language is fully valid even without a translation. Deadlines generally run from the notification, so ask for the translation quickly and, if you are running out of time, file your appeal on time anyway.

What do the words plazo and recurso look like in Catalan, Galician and Basque?

Plazo is termini in Catalan, prazo in Galician and epea in Basque, while recurso is recurs, recurso and errekurtsoa. Local offices may use slightly different wording, so match the word to the meaning of the letter.