The verdict in three sentences
A custom multilingual corporate website in Berlin is budgeted between EUR 20,000 and 60,000 for the base (design, CMS, one primary language) in 2026. Each additional language adds EUR 3,000 to 7,000, more when it requires RTL such as Arabic. WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility, often mandatory for a mid-cap or public body, adds 8% to 12% to the budget but sharply reduces legal risk.
Cost per language and editorial governance
Multilingual is not just translation: it is engineering (i18n, hreflang, locale management) and governance (who approves what, in which language). Here are 2026 order-of-magnitude figures.
| Multilingual element | 2026 cost (EUR) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Base + 1 primary language | 20,000 - 60,000 | design + CMS + integration |
| Extra LTR language (EN, ES) | 3,000 - 5,000 | translation + integration |
| RTL language (Arabic) | 4,500 - 7,000 | CSS mirroring + typography |
| hreflang & i18n sitemaps | 1,000 - 2,500 | international SEO |
| Multi-level approval workflow | 2,000 - 4,500 | editorial governance |
| Pro translation (per language, ~40 pages) | 1,500 - 4,000 | excludes integration |
A frequent mistake: underestimating governance. On a 3-language corporate site with 5 contributors, a poorly designed approval workflow creates more hidden cost than the technical build.
Headless vs classic CMS, and cost per module
The CMS choice shapes the whole budget. Headless (Sanity, Strapi) costs more upfront but scales better across languages and channels; a classic CMS (multilingual WordPress) is cheaper but harder to govern at scale. Note German projects must factor in DSGVO/GDPR compliance.
| Module | Classic CMS (EUR) | Headless CMS (EUR) |
|---|---|---|
| CMS setup + content modelling | 2,500 - 6,000 | 5,000 - 11,000 |
| Press / news room | 2,000 - 4,000 | 2,500 - 5,000 |
| Interactive annual report | 4,000 - 9,000 | 5,000 - 12,000 |
| Careers / HR portal | 3,000 - 7,000 | 3,500 - 8,000 |
| WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility | +8% to +12% of total | +8% to +12% of total |
| Overall timeline | 12 - 18 wks | 14 - 20 wks |
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Mini case study
Sophie is communications director at a 280-employee food-industry mid-cap in Berlin. She is deciding on a corporate site in DE/EN/AR with an interactive annual report. The custom base costs EUR 32,000, English EUR 4,200, RTL Arabic EUR 6,000, the approval workflow EUR 3,500 and WCAG compliance +10%, for a total of roughly EUR 50,300 over 17 weeks. Compared with a previous "multilingual template" project abandoned after 8 unmanageable months, the custom investment avoids an estimated EUR 22,000 restart.
FAQ
Why pay per language rather than one flat fee? Because each language involves translation, integration, testing and sometimes RTL. A single flat fee hides either initial underpricing or a shortfall in languages actually handled.
Is headless always the right choice? No. Below 3 languages and 3 contributors, a well-configured classic CMS is often enough. Headless is justified once you have multiple channels (site, app, screens) and complex governance.
Is WCAG 2.1 AA really mandatory? For public bodies and many mid-caps bound by client obligations, yes. Beyond compliance, accessibility widens your audience and improves SEO.
How long for a 3-language site? 14 to 20 weeks. Translation and multi-level approval cycles extend the timeline more than development itself.
Can we add a language later? Yes, if the i18n architecture is planned from the start. Adding a language to a non-internationalised site can cost as much as rebuilding it.
Let's scope your project. Share your target languages (including any RTL), your accessibility requirements and an indicative budget (EUR 20,000-60,000) and we'll map the base and per-language cost. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
