Sabrina Sbaccanti EU-accredited conference interpreter Italian · Portuguese · English
Conference Interpreter & Translator · Brussels

Sabrina
Sbaccanti

The language changes. The message doesn’t.

EU-accredited conference interpreter (ACI) for the European Parliament, the European Commission, and the Court of Justice of the EU

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Sabrina Sbaccanti, conference interpreter in Brussels, in the interpreting booth wearing a headset.
What I do

Conference interpreting and translation.

Between Italian, European Portuguese, and English. Based in Brussels, working across Europe, on-site or remote.

How I work

  • Simultaneous

    In the booth, while the speaker talks. For conferences, summits, European Works Councils, and multilingual meetings.

  • Consecutive and liaison

    Beside the speaker, in segments or in short exchanges. For negotiations, site visits, and small meetings.

  • Remote

    On the major remote interpreting platforms, for hybrid and fully online events.

  • Translation and transcreation

    Written texts in the right register, from technical reports to advertising campaigns.

Sectors

  • Finance and insurance

    Markets, supervision, and financial products, where a misplaced decimal does not go unnoticed.

  • EU affairs

    Legislative procedure, trilogues, and comitology: the working vocabulary of Brussels.

  • Defence

    Dense terminology, handled on a need-to-know basis, for ministries and industry.

  • Healthcare and pharma

    Clinical trials, marketing authorisation, and medical congresses, where a wrong term has real consequences.

  • Food and wine

    Tastings, appellations, and cooking: the language of the table, taken seriously.

Trusted by

Ten years of institutional and corporate work.

Most of my work is covered by confidentiality agreements: what follows is a selection.

Full portfolio on request →

Institutions & Politics

  • European Parliament
  • European Commission
  • Presidency of the Italian Council of Ministers
  • Italian & Brazilian government ministries
  • G7 / G20
  • IFAD (United Nations)
  • Brazil’s FAO Representation
  • European Labour Authority
  • Milan Chamber of Commerce
  • Sardinia Regional Government
  • Italian-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce
  • European Committee of the Regions
  • European Training Foundation
  • JRS (Jesuit Refugee Service)
  • Greens/EFA (European Parliament)
  • Rockefeller Foundation

Finance & insurance

  • World Bank
  • Borsa Italiana
  • Deutsche Bank
  • Columbia University
  • Allianz Group
  • Nexi
  • AXA
  • Il Sole 24 Ore
  • Mastercard
  • Klécha & Co

Defence

  • Italian Ministry of Defence
  • US Army
  • Leonardo Elettronica
  • GEM Electronics

Medicine & pharma

  • Novartis
  • Bayer
  • GSK
  • Doppel
  • Angelini
  • Sandoz
  • CDI
  • ViiV Healthcare
  • Vital Strategies
  • Angels Initiative
  • FAST Italia
  • SIME (Società Italiana di Medicina Estetica)

Food & beverage

  • Bellavista
  • Tyson
  • Mondelez
  • JBS N.V.
  • Amerino Brewery
  • Three Cents

Industry & Manufacturing

  • Stellantis
  • European Pallet Association
  • Luxottica
  • TE Connectivity
  • Corteva
  • Tetra Pak
  • Magaldi Group
  • SAME

Other

  • Google Cloud Summit
  • Samsung
  • House of Switzerland
  • Sightsavers
  • Fondation Cartier
  • Modere
  • GBTimes
  • Fabiana Filippi
Testimonials

What clients say.

“Working with Sabrina is a real pleasure. In addition to being highly skilled, reliable, and detail-oriented, she handles even the most complex and specialized content with natural ease, tact, and client focus. On multiple occasions, I have relied not only on the quality of her work, but also on her responsiveness, flexibility, and consistently positive, collaborative attitude. She is a professional whose services I would recommend without hesitation.”

PM · Issel Nord

“Don’t hire Sabrina for your projects: she’ll get booked up, and then she won’t be available for us. And we always want her.”

Claudio Nucera · Owner, Quasar Group

“I have worked with Sabrina on numerous occasions where she has been a delight to work with: professional, approachable, and always ready to adapt when issues arise.”

Shadi Azari · Project Manager Meetings, Presence Group

“Sabrina took care of the translation of my TEDx talk into English and did an incredible job. The TED team was impressed with the accuracy and attention to detail.”

Francesco Pignatti · Founder & CEO, IronManager

“A totally dedicated interpreter who works very well in a team, with great attention to detail. A pleasure to work with, and one I’d recommend without hesitation.”

Carlo Farrugia · Malta Online Dictionary Limited

“I have been working with Sabrina since 2018 on interpreting, translation and transcription assignments in the financial and insurance field, and I am very satisfied with the working and human relationship that has developed. Besides carrying out her work reliably and precisely, she has proved to be an empathetic collaborator, able to organise and manage complex projects involving several resources, with a high problem-solving capacity.”

Alessandro Fonte · Owner, New Moon Srls

“A very high level of professionalism, competence and reliability are Sabrina’s salient qualities, which I was able to observe at work during the Festival dell’Economia 2023. I greatly appreciated her linguistic skills, her ability to respond constructively to unforeseen events, and her excellent performance in both simultaneous and consecutive interpreting. To complete the picture I would add three more adjectives: kind, collaborative and always punctual. I hope we will have the chance to work together again.”

Urszula Bziuk · Owner, Klarbo

“I contacted Ms Sabrina Sbaccanti by telephone. My first impression was of speaking with a competent, organised, helpful and highly qualified person. It took me a few seconds to decide that she was the person who would perfectly meet my professional requirements. Later, as the relationship developed, I was pleased to see her great professionalism in handling the organisational phase of the interpreting required, from both a technical and a training point of view. Indeed, she asked for an enormous quantity of specific material in order to be as well prepared as possible for the task. If I need an interpreter again in future, Sabrina Sbaccanti is first on the list.”

Massimo Giovannucci · Level 3 World Archery Coach, FITARCO Trainer

“Sabrina is an exemplary professional. She showed great availability and precision, entering fully into the mood of the projects, interpreting the themes to the best effect and guaranteeing an absolutely perfect final product. The collaboration is so positive that we intend to keep entrusting her with our future projects.”

Fabio Sguazzotti · Art Director, Synapsy Events

“For Dr Sabrina Sbaccanti, a reference is an understatement. (…) Precise as a Swiss watch, she stands out not only for her quick, open mind but for her rare humility, and she scrupulously meets deadlines even while juggling several assignments at once.”

Micaela Andreatti · Founder & CEO, Elite Status

“Sabrina Sbaccanti has been a reliable collaborator of ours for many years. She is dependable, detail-oriented, and well-qualified. She has demonstrated great competence and a collaborative attitude, particularly in the field of aesthetic medicine. Working with Sabrina is always pleasant.”

Loredana La Rotonda · Ablio Conference

“Sabrina is a consistently professional interpreter who approaches every task with care. On numerous occasions, we have valued her precise interpreting and her skill in adapting to immediate needs in complex event environments.”

Giulio Monaco · Ablio Conference

“There is the given – the highest language proficiency and the knowledge of protocols and even informal habits it takes dedication to master at any age.

Then there is the good-to-have: a quick intuition of the business needs behind the job and a punctilious application of very recent technological developments which are as necessary as they are rare.

Finally, there is the wishlist, the bonus we dare not hope for: a solar yet down to earth practical stance, a fun and reassuring presence, and the search for excellence through modesty.

Based on my experience, Sabrina has all three.”

Martin Esposito · Conference Interpreter
About

Background

Background, training, and work in progress.

I have been a conference interpreter and translator since 2016, working between Italian, English, and European Portuguese. I live in Brussels, although between assignments the suitcase rarely gets unpacked.

I grew up in a military family, where moves came with postings: several Italian cities, then Portugal, where I lived for four years, then China and Taiwan, before settling in Brussels.

Away from the booth, I run (10 to 21 km), never travel without a book, and have more podcasts queued than free hours. I collect cookbooks, and actually cook from them. Wine and craft beer I take seriously enough to own more glasses than one hobby can justify.

Since

450+ meetings as a freelance conference interpreter

EU accreditation

DG SCIC, European Parliament, Court of Justice of the EU

Education

MA in Interpreting and Translation, UNINT, Rome

Teaching

UNINT (2020–2021), University of Milano-Bicocca (2024)

CPD

40+ continuing professional development courses

Remote interpreting

The major platforms, in regular use

Talks

University of Nottingham, techforword’s Direct Client Summit, and Meet the Translator

Currently

The AIS sommelier course: swirling, sniffing, and studying.

FAQ

Questions, answered.

If you are organising an interpreted event, the essentials fit on one page: “Before you book an interpreter”. Documents and timing, comparing quotes, the day itself, and the room and the sound.

Request the one-pager →
What’s the difference between simultaneous and consecutive interpreting?

In simultaneous, the interpreter works from a booth or a platform while the speaker talks: the right choice for conferences, multilingual events, and tight schedules. In consecutive, the speaker pauses and the interpreter delivers each segment: it suits small meetings, negotiations, and visits, where the rhythm of the conversation matters more than the clock. The guide to choosing an interpreter covers each mode in detail; if in doubt, write to me.

The speakerThe interpreter, on air

Why do interpreters work in pairs?

Because simultaneous interpreting demands a level of concentration nobody can sustain for hours on end. AIIC professional standards provide for at least two interpreters per booth, who take turns every 20 to 30 minutes; the team is sized to the languages, the length, and the complexity of the subject. Taking turns is what keeps the quality consistent until the last speaker.

One booth, two interpreters: one microphone live, one colleague tracking figures and documents.
What does an interpreting quote include?

Preparation, which you don’t see but which takes real time: research, a glossary, and reading the materials (programme, slides, speeches). A one-hour event can take several hours of study, and the quote always accounts for it. It is free and tailored.

Can I send drafts or confidential documents?

Yes, and you should. Drafts and work in progress are fine: rough and early beats polished and late. For confidential material, I am glad to sign an NDA, or to work from an anonymised briefing.

Which languages do you work in?

Italian, English, and European Portuguese (not Brazilian), the same languages as my EU accreditation.

How far in advance should I book an interpreter?

Ideally two to three weeks; earlier in spring and autumn, when conferences pile up. Short notice is still worth a message: if I’m free, we’ll find a way.

What’s the difference between an interpreter and a translator?

An interpreter works with the spoken word, live; a translator with the written one. I do both, so if in doubt, I’ll point you in the right direction.

Translation as well?

Yes: between Italian, English, and Portuguese, from technical and financial documents to promotional copy, in the register you need. Send the files and the deadline for a free quote.

Do you always need an interpreting booth?

No. A soundproof booth remains the best option, but small groups and site visits can work with a portable system (bidule) or a certified remote platform. Tell me about the event and I’ll suggest the right setup.

What about remote?

Yes, on the major platforms, for hybrid and fully online events. When it makes sense, and when it doesn’t, is covered in the guide to choosing an interpreter.

What if the event is recorded?

Recording, live streaming, and later reuse must be agreed in advance and carry a surcharge, typically around 30% of the fee. The reason is legal: an interpretation can be protected by copyright and related rights, and my terms of service govern its use. Best to mention it at the quote stage.

Insights

Notes from the booth.

Longer pieces on how interpreting works in practice, and why it matters more than it seems.

All articles →

Get in touch

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Working from Brussels across Europe and beyond, on-site or remote.

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