Do they speak English? Languages by country for travelers

English is the main language of the United States, so there is no language barrier for English-speaking visitors. English was designated the country’s official language by executive order in 2025, and Spanish is also very widely spoken, especially in the south-west, Florida and big cities.

Regional accents and slang vary, but you will be understood everywhere.

Worth knowing: No barrier for English speakers; Spanish is a useful second language in much of the south and south-west.

Source: USAGov: official language of the US

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English is the language of the UK, so communication is effortless for English speakers. Accents shift noticeably from region to region, and Welsh is also official in Wales and Scottish Gaelic is spoken in parts of Scotland.

You will have no trouble being understood anywhere as a visitor.

Worth knowing: No barrier at all; just expect strong regional accents away from London.

Source: GOV.UK

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English is spoken by everyone in Ireland and is the language you will use day to day. Irish (Gaeilge) is the first official language and appears on signs and in some western Gaeltacht areas, but you do not need it.

A few Irish words are a friendly touch, but English is universal.

Worth knowing: English everywhere; Irish appears on signage and is spoken in the western Gaeltacht regions.

Source: Government of Ireland

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French is the language, and while English is widely understood in Paris and the main tourist areas, it is less common in smaller towns and the countryside. The single most useful habit is to open with "Bonjour" before anything else; skipping it can come across as rude.

Start interactions in French, even just a greeting, and most people will warm up and often switch to English.

Worth knowing: Always lead with "Bonjour" (or "Bonsoir" in the evening). A French greeting first makes a real difference.

Source: EF English Proficiency Index

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Spanish (Castilian) is spoken nationwide, and Spain also has co-official regional languages: Catalan around Barcelona, in the Valencian Community (where it is called Valencian) and the Balearics, Galician in the north-west, Basque in the Basque Country and parts of Navarre, and Aranese in a corner of Catalonia. English is reasonable in tourist hubs and hotels but thinner in everyday local spots.

A handful of Spanish words goes a long way, and a "Hola" and "Gracias" are always welcome.

Worth knowing: English is fine in tourist areas; a little Spanish helps in local bars and shops. In Barcelona you will also see Catalan everywhere.

Source: EF English Proficiency Index

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Portuguese is the language, and English is widely and confidently spoken, especially among younger people and across Lisbon and Porto; Portugal consistently ranks among the stronger English-speaking countries in Europe.

Note that "obrigado" is said by men and "obrigada" by women, since the word agrees with the speaker. A little Portuguese is appreciated even though English will carry you.

Worth knowing: English is widely spoken; remember "obrigado" (men) versus "obrigada" (women) for thank you.

Source: EF English Proficiency Index

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Italian is the language. English is reasonably common in Rome, Florence, Venice and the main tourist areas, but drops off quickly in smaller towns and the south.

Use "Buongiorno" by day and "Buonasera" in the evening; "Ciao" is informal and better with people you know. A few words of Italian are warmly received.

Worth knowing: English works in the tourist cities; learn a few words for smaller towns and the south, where it is patchier.

Source: EF English Proficiency Index

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German is the language, and English is very widely spoken, particularly in Berlin and among younger people and in business and hospitality. You will rarely struggle to find someone who speaks English.

A greeting in German is still appreciated; "Bitte" doubles as "please" and "you’re welcome".

Worth knowing: English is widely spoken, especially in Berlin; a few German words are a nice courtesy rather than a necessity.

Source: EF English Proficiency Index

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Austria speaks German, in a distinct Austrian dialect, and English is widely spoken in Vienna and the tourist regions. The traditional greeting "Grüß Gott" is common, with "Servus" as a casual hello and goodbye.

English will get you through easily; a local greeting is a warm touch.

Worth knowing: English is widely spoken; you will hear "Grüß Gott" as a hello far more than the textbook "Guten Tag".

Source: EF English Proficiency Index

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Dutch is the language, but the Netherlands has among the highest English proficiency of any non-native country in the world, and you can comfortably get by entirely in English, Amsterdam especially.

Locals will often switch to English the moment they hear you, sometimes before you have finished your Dutch. A few words are still a friendly gesture.

Worth knowing: English is close to universal here; there is genuinely no language barrier for visitors.

Source: EF English Proficiency Index

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Czech is the language. English is common in central Prague, in hotels, restaurants and among younger people, but less so with older generations and outside the tourist core.

"Dobrý den" is the standard polite hello; "prosím" works for both "please" and "you’re welcome". A few Czech words are appreciated.

Worth knowing: English is fine in tourist Prague; a few Czech words help elsewhere and with older locals.

Source: EF English Proficiency Index

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Hungarian is the language, and it is unrelated to most European languages, so it looks and sounds unfamiliar. English is reasonably common in central Budapest and among younger people, but thinner elsewhere.

"Szia" is a casual hello and goodbye; "Jó napot" is the polite daytime greeting. Even a stab at "köszönöm" (thank you) earns goodwill.

Worth knowing: Hungarian is genuinely hard, so lean on English in Budapest and a translation app outside it.

Source: EF English Proficiency Index

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Greek is the language and uses its own alphabet, which can make signs tricky, though many are also written in Latin script in tourist areas. English is widely spoken across Athens and the popular islands, where tourism is central.

Learning to recognise a few Greek letters helps with menus and street names; "Efharisto" (thank you) is always welcome.

Worth knowing: English is common in tourist areas and on the islands; the Greek alphabet is the main hurdle, not the people.

Source: EF English Proficiency Index

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Turkish is the language. English is reasonably common in Istanbul’s tourist districts, hotels and with people working in tourism, but it drops off quickly elsewhere and with older people.

A few Turkish words and a translation app go a long way. In markets, a friendly "Merhaba" and some basic numbers help with bargaining.

Worth knowing: English is patchy outside tourist Istanbul; a translation app and a few Turkish words are worth having.

Source: EF English Proficiency Index

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Arabic is the official language, but the UAE is so international that English is the everyday lingua franca, used in shops, restaurants, taxis and business across Dubai and Abu Dhabi. You can travel entirely in English.

A few words of Arabic, like "Shukran" for thank you, are a warm gesture in a country where most residents are from elsewhere.

Worth knowing: English is everywhere; Arabic is official and appears on signage, but you will rarely need it.

Source: UAE Government: culture

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Japanese is the language, and while signage in cities and on transport increasingly includes English, spoken English can be limited, especially in smaller restaurants and outside the big cities. People are extremely helpful even across a language gap.

A translation app is invaluable, and a few polite words go far. "Sumimasen" is a versatile "excuse me" and "sorry", and a small bow is a natural courtesy.

Worth knowing: Spoken English is limited outside tourist spots; signage is improving and a translation app plus polite phrases bridge most gaps.

Source: EF English Proficiency Index

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