About Tolk2Go – Interpreter Agency & Booking Platform for the Netherlands & Europe
Tolk2Go is a modern interpreter agency and interpreter booking platform that makes it fast and simple for companies, municipalities and private clients to find a professional interpreter. We operate mainly in the Netherlands, with active services also in Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany and France, and we work with more than 1,400 interpreters in over 100 languages.
Clients can book an interpreter online in just a few minutes. Interpreters choose their own rates, clients know the full price in advance, and the entire process is transparent for everyone involved.
Many clients search online for a “translator” when they actually need a spoken interpreter. Tolk2Go supports both groups: we explain the difference, and we help people find the right professional quickly and clearly. We specialise in spoken interpreting, not written translations, but we make sure that clients who search for “translator” still find the spoken interpreting service they need.
Our Mission
Tolk2Go was created to fix everything that did not work well in the interpreting industry:
- unclear pricing
- slow response times
- lack of transparency
- limited interpreter options
- outdated booking systems
- unfair rates for interpreters
- poor customer experience
Our mission is simple:
Provide high-quality interpreting services that are easy to book, fair for interpreters, and affordable for clients.
ANY customer – private or business – can find a suitably qualified interpreter through Tolk2Go.
Who We Help
Tolk2Go supports a wide range of users across the Netherlands and neighbouring countries.
Companies & B2B Clients
We help businesses communicate clearly with international staff, customers and partners. From HR meetings and safety briefings to negotiations and training sessions, our interpreters support professional communication every day. Companies can learn more on our Business (B2B) page.
Municipalities & Government Organisations
We support municipalities that work with newcomers, civic integration, education and social services. Over the years we have provided interpreters for municipalities such as Leeuwarden, Utrecht, Breda and Vlaardingen. In some cases this is regular, in other cases occasional or per project.
Our platform helps municipal teams book an interpreter quickly, choose the right language and expertise, and keep pricing transparent.
CBR Exam Candidates
Tolk2Go is an official provider of interpreters for CBR exams. Candidates can request an interpreter in their own language, so they can focus on the exam itself instead of struggling with Dutch. There is a dedicated CBR interpreter page where candidates can arrange this step-by-step.
Legal Professionals, Notaries & Courts
For legal matters, notary appointments and certain official procedures, clients often need a sworn interpreter. Tolk2Go works with sworn interpreters in many languages, so that legal communication is accurate and compliant.
Healthcare Organisations & Arbodiensten
We assist hospitals, clinics, general practitioners and OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health services) with clear and confidential communication. Good interpreting reduces misunderstandings and supports better care and safer workplaces.
Education & Mediation
Schools, universities and mediation services use interpreters to support meetings, parent–teacher talks, conflict resolution and workshops. Our interpreters help ensure that everyone can follow and participate.
Private Clients
Private individuals can book interpreters for exams, notary visits, CBR theory and practical exams, medical appointments, weddings, job interviews and many other situations.
How Tolk2Go Began – Our Story
Tolk2Go started with a simple observation:
Why is it still so difficult and expensive to book a good interpreter?
The answer came from three founders with three different strengths. Together, they formed the perfect mix of experience, technology and personal insight.
Svetlana Mikelevich – 25+ Years of Interpreter Experience
The story begins with Svetlana Mikelevich, an interpreter with more than 25 years of experience in Russian–Dutch spoken interpreting. She still works as an interpreter today.
Throughout her career, Svetlana has worked for companies, municipalities, courts, schools and private clients. She saw how interpreting services were increasingly outsourced to large intermediaries that focused more on volume and contracts than on quality and fairness.
Interpreters often had to fight for a fair rate. Clients paid too much for slow and outdated services. Booking an interpreter was complicated. Prices were unclear. And if a client wanted to rebook the same interpreter, the system often made it difficult or impossible.
Svetlana’s insight was simple but powerful:
The interpreting industry needed transparency, simplicity and fairness – for both clients and interpreters.
|
|
Jaap van den Eersten , co-founder of Tolk2Go: The system is clunky, creaky and stuck in the 1990s... we just thought it should be able to be much better. The system was bad for anyone using interpretation services. For companies and individuals, and also for the interpreters themselves. The only ones making good money from it were the big guys. We decided to put our heads together and thus Tolk2Go was born. Now everyone gets and pays a fair rate! |
Jaap van den Eersten – The Technical Mastermind
Svetlana’s husband, Jaap van den Eersten, brought decades of IT experience from companies like IBM and TNO. He understood how to build stable, user-friendly systems in complex environments.
With this mindset, Jaap designed and built the technology behind Tolk2Go:
- a fast and clear booking engine
- automatic price calculation
- a matching system that connects clients and interpreters
- the interpreter app and client tools
- integrations that make everyday use simple
His goal: use technology to remove friction and make interpreting truly accessible.
|
|
Kristian Koopman, co-founder of Tolk2Go: I grew up as a newcomer in the Netherlands. I know how important it is to understand and be understood. Good interpreting can change an entire situation for someone. I experienced schools, exams, institutions and daily life from the perspective of someone who is learning the language and trying to find their way. This is why Tolk2Go is not only about technology. It is about people. It is about reducing stress, removing barriers and giving everyone equal access to information. We wanted a platform that is simple, fast and fair — so both clients and interpreters feel supported. That is the heart of Tolk2Go. |
Kristian Koopman – The Newcomer Perspective
Svetlana’s son, Kristian Koopman, moved to the Netherlands at the age of four. He knows from personal experience what it means to be a newcomer: learning the language, dealing with school, understanding institutions, taking exams and going through an integration process.
He experienced first-hand how important it is to understand and to be understood. Interpreting is not just about language; it is about access, participation and opportunity.
Kristian represents the mission of Tolk2Go:
Helping people connect, integrate and succeed – in daily life, work and society.
From Christmas Idea to Live Platform
The idea for Tolk2Go was born around Christmas 2017, when the three founders decided that “the system” had to change. They wanted to combine:
- Svetlana’s deep experience as an interpreter
- Jaap’s technical expertise
- Kristian’s newcomer perspective and energy
Over the following year they designed and built the first version of the platform. In 2018, Tolk2Go officially launched.
At first, around 50 sworn interpreters joined the platform. Word spread quickly. Today, Tolk2Go works with more than 1,400 interpreters in 100+ languages, and handles hundreds of assignments every month across the Netherlands and surrounding countries.
What Makes Tolk2Go Different
Tolk2Go combines the strengths of a traditional agency with the flexibility of a digital platform.
1. Transparent Pricing
Clients always see the total price before they book. There are no hidden fees after the fact.
2. Interpreters Set Their Own Rates
Interpreters decide their own fees, based on experience, language combination and specialisation. This keeps the system fair and attractive for professionals.
3. Clients Choose Their Interpreter
Tolk2Go does not just assign a random interpreter. Clients receive options and can choose the interpreter that best fits their needs.
4. Fast Response Times
Interpreters receive availability requests through the interpreter app and can respond quickly. This is ideal for urgent or time-sensitive assignments.
5. Wide Selection of Languages
Tolk2Go offers more than 100 languages and language combinations, including common and less common languages. Clients can explore them on the languages page.
6. Flexible for Companies and Municipalities
Organisations can book single assignments or set up longer-term cooperation. More information is available on the Business (B2B) page.
7. Support for CBR Exams
CBR candidates can book an interpreter through Tolk2Go using the dedicated CBR booking page, with clear instructions and special rules.
8. Culture-Sensitive Interpreting
Tolk2Go works with interpreters who understand both language and culture. This supports respectful and effective communication, especially in integration, mediation and social work.
9. Trusted by Known Organisations
Over time, Tolk2Go has provided interpreters for organisations such as DHL and the Salvation Army (Leger des Heils), as well as various municipalities and companies.
10. For Every Type of Client
As mentioned earlier: ANY customer (private or business) can find suitably qualified interpreters through Tolk2Go.
Interpreter or Translator? We Help Both Search Groups
Many people are not familiar with the difference between a translator and an interpreter. It is very common for someone who needs spoken interpreting to search online for “translator”.
Tolk2Go takes this reality seriously. We help these users in two ways:
- We explain in simple language that we specialise in spoken interpreting (live communication in person, by phone or via video).
- We still make sure that people who search for “translator” can find our services, so they do not get lost in technical language.
Tolk2Go does not provide written document translations. We focus on spoken interpreting, including:
- in-person interpreting
- video interpreting
- telephone interpreting
- sworn interpreting where required
Our goal is not to correct the user, but to guide them to the right solution.
Where We Operate – The Netherlands and Neighbouring Countries
Tolk2Go is based in the Netherlands and has a strong focus on the Dutch market. At the same time, our interpreters and clients are spread across several countries.
We actively work in:
- Netherlands (main focus)
- Belgium
- Luxembourg
- Germany
- France
Many assignments are remote (video or telephone), while others are on-site, for example at municipal offices, CBR locations, notary offices, schools or company premises.
Reviews and Experiences
Everyone loves Tolk2Go, because everyone earns and pays a fair rate! |
|
Tolk2Go is rated highly by users. Clients appreciate clear and transparent prices, fast matching with interpreters, freedom of choice, culture-sensitive support and friendly communication.
Independent reviews are collected through Reviews.io, where Tolk2Go receives many 5-star ratings.
Leeuwarden Municipality loves the Tolk2Go platform for interpreters |
|
| Flexible, quick match with an interpreter. Freedom of choice of interpreter and culture-sensitive interpreting advice. And a fair rate for the interpreter. In short, a great party to work with! Martine Pieters Integration team coordinator at the Municipality of Leeuwarden |
A Platform For Everyone
For Clients and Private Users
Clients can easily book an interpreter via the Tolk2Go website or the Tolk2Go client app. You can download the app on the Tolk2Go app page.
For Business Users
Companies find more information about cooperation, procedures and benefits on the dedicated Business (B2B) page.
For Municipalities
Municipalities can start with a few assignments and experience the platform in practice. Afterwards, we can always discuss a fair and transparent contract that fits the specific needs of the municipality.
For Interpreters
Interpreters can register, set their own rates and manage their assignments through the interpreter app. More information is available on the interpreter app page.
For common questions about bookings and interpreting from the client side, you can visit our FAQ for clients.
Our Vision for the Future
Tolk2Go continues to grow. Every month, more clients discover the platform and more interpreters join the community. Demand for clear, fast and fair interpreting services is increasing – especially in the Netherlands and neighbouring countries.
Our vision for the future is to:
- make high-quality interpreting accessible to everyone
- keep the system fair for interpreters
- support municipalities, companies and individuals in a sustainable way
- keep improving the platform with smart, user-friendly technology
Tolk2Go wants to be the first name people think of when they need an interpreter in the Netherlands – whether they search for “interpreter”, “translator” or “CBR interpreter”.
Contact and Next Steps
For questions, partnership options or business inquiries, clients can contact us via the contact page on our website.
Of course, you can also start an interpreter search immediately. You will see how easy and quick it is, without unnecessary back-and-forth communication. Sending an availability request to interpreters is always free.
