Start a translation and localisation: the real numbers
Adapting text and products. Below is what it actually costs, how long before money arrives,
and the part most guides leave out.
Startup capital
€150–€600
Hours / week
8–40
First income
~4 wks
Net margin
90%
Saturation
high
Realistic ceiling
€700–€2,800
What nobody usually tells you
Almost no capital and you start immediately. But it's the most AI-exposed trade here: base rates have collapsed, only specialist adaptation survives.
The route, in five steps
Pick one language pair and one technical field
Go for sworn and legal work: AI can't sign it
Register with three agencies, not just platforms
Bill per project, never per word
Add revision of badly AI-translated text
What you'll need to buy
These are the categories every translation and localisation pays for in the first month.
We break down what each one actually costs at this size on the
tools page.
platform profilesCAT toolscertifications
Does it hold up for you?
These numbers are the average case. Whether this business clears your target depends on
your capital, your hours and how long you can wait — put them in and see.