Top 10 English Speaking Countries in Europe

There are many English Speaking Countries in Europe. English is the native language of the United Kingdom and Ireland. English is the official language of Malta, the Isle of Man, Jersey, Guernsey, Gibraltar, and the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia. In The Netherlands, the English language has official status as a regional language, with 90% of the Dutch population speaking English. In other EU countries like Spain, Portugal, or Luxembourg, English is learned as a second language and is mainly spoken by expatriates and non-natives.

English is the de facto official language of England. It is also the official language of Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and the European Union. Germany. Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland are some of Europe's top English-speaking countries. English is spoken by 62% of the German population and 61% of the Belgium population.

The UK and the Republic of Ireland comprise the European Anglosphere which has over 71 million in population. 38% of EU citizens can speak English locally, whereas only 13% speak English as their native language. Nearly half of the population can speak European English.

List of English Speaking Countries in Europe

1. Germany
2. The Netherlands
3. Sweden
4. Denmark
5. Norway
6. Ireland
7. Belgium
8. Austria
9. Poland
10. Finland

1. Germany

Germany is a top English speaking country in Europe with more than 62.35% English speakers. Due to this stronghold of English among Germans, they are able to dominate their businesses in the European market. English is a business language in Germany and many English-speaking jobs are available in Germany. Germans can efficiently grasp the English language which is why we see an increasing number of English speakers in Germany. The most number of people talking English is found in Berlin. There are also many English-taught courses in German universities.

2. The Netherlands

More than 90% of people speak English in The Netherlands. Nearly 71.45% of the people are proficient in English and can speak like a native. This is mainly because of the similarities between the English and Dutch language. Among the main nations in the European Union, the Dutch have the highest percentage of English speakers surpassing Sweden. Tourism, international businesses, and immigration in Amsterdam and other places are also factors in the increased number of people speaking English. Dutch people can converse better in English than German and French people.

3. Sweden

Sweden topped the list of English language countries in Europe in 2016. Now it holds the third place with 89% of people speaking English in the country. Stockholm is the capital of Sweden and has high commercial value. The people can speak English like the natives and may reclaim their first spot in the future. More than 70% of people in Sweden have high proficiency in English. Almost 16% of the Swedish population speaks English as their primary language which is the highest in Europe. Their official language is Svenska or Swedish. English is treated as their second language and is taught as a foreign language in schools.

4. Denmark

Denmark is next on the list of best English speaking countries in Europe. In this Scandinavian country, 86% of people can talk in English. Denmark offers good job opportunities for English speakers. There are nearly 5 million English speakers in Denmark. Almost 69% of Danish people are proficient in English. Copenhagen is the capital city of Denmark.

5. Norway

Norwegian is the official language of Norway. English is used as their second language. With 4.5 million English speakers, close to 90% of the population can talk in English. More than 67% of people are proficient in English in Norway. There are so many jobs for English speakers in the capital city of Oslo.

6. Ireland

Ireland is the second biggest English speaking country in Europe based on the percentage of English speakers. More than 98% of people speak English in Ireland. In 1831, universal state education was introduced in the national schools which became a reason for adopting English. Eventually English became a language of prestige while Irish was associated with poverty. The Irish language then started to retreat, but later in the 1920s, it was made compulsory in schools and government organisations. Irish is their mother tongue but now many of them can speak fluent English. Dublin, the capital of The Republic of Ireland is the birthplace of many English writers.

7. Belgium

Belgium ranks #6 out of 112 countries in the EF EPI rankings with a score of 620. Belgium has the 5th position in Europe and is in the very high proficiency index. Of the 10 million people, nearly 61% can speak English well. The official languages of Belgium are French, Dutch, and German. Brussels has opened up plenty of job opportunities for English speakers from around the world.

8. Austria

Austria has moved up in the list of best English speaking nations in Europe. Since Austria borders 8 countries they also speak other languages like Croatian, Slovenian, and Hungarian. German is the official language of Austria. Still, they have high proficiency in English. 73% of their population speak English as a second language. Austria ranks #2 out of 112 countries in the EF ranking and has an EF EPI score of 628. In Austria, English is mainly used for social, academic, and professional needs. Vienna gets a lot of English speaking tourists every year. Generally, women in Austria speak better English than men.

9. Poland

Warsaw, Poland’s capital city is significant for R&D, business process, and IT outsourcing. Many immigrants come to Poland for work. Likewise, Polish people move abroad searching for jobs. They used the English language mostly for business purposes. This has increased the usage of the English language in Poland. Of the 37 million people, almost 62% speak English. Polish is the native language of the Poles. It has many dialects. As many of them travel to the UK, Polish is also gaining popularity there. English is spoken mainly in the Polish-German border areas.

10. Finland

Finland is a Northern European nation with a population of nearly 5.5 million. More than 70% of adults can speak good English. Most of them dwell in Helsinki. Even though Finnish and Swedish are the official languages, English is widely spoken in Finland. The mayor of Helsinki, Juhana Vartiainen proposed to raise English as Finland’s official language in 2021. There are many degree programs available in universities that are taught in English. Finland has an EF EPI score of 618 and is ranked #9 for English proficiency. Finland is very multicultural and they provide opportunities for English teachers in schools.

European Countries with English as Official Language

Cyprus

Cyprus with its Capital at Nicosia is an anglophone country in Europe. 73% of Cypriots speak English. Greek and Turkish are also their official languages. Cyprus has a higher average salary and lower workplace competition. With a good climate, improved healthcare, and a low crime rate it is a good option for English-speaking expats. Cyprus has a high quality of living and low housing costs. English is mostly spoken in the Sovereign Base Areas of Cyprus. The increased use of the English language is mainly due to the many British tourists, migrant Cypriot communities in the UK and Australia, and the British military presence in Cyprus. Until 1960, English was the lingua franca of Cyprus.

Gibraltar

Gibraltar is a British overseas territory and one of the best English-speaking countries in Europe. Gibraltar is an attractive destination for tourists with its rich cultural heritage. 100% of the people in Gibraltar speak English. Many Gibraltarians are now bilingual and also speak Spanish as the country is very near to Spain. Due to its high GDP per capita, low unemployment, and good employee growth, many expats come to this Mediterranean country.

Malta

Malta is a small EU state, with its capital at Valletta. Before the British arrived, Italian and Latin were used in Malta. The island became an English speaking nation in Europe after 1868. They also have their own language called Maltese. Malta has a leisurely lifestyle and a low cost of living. Tourists can enjoy the nightlife, culture, beautiful coastline, and adventures like diving. Expats and EU citizens can easily get the legal paperwork done to live in Malta. 89% of the people in Malta are English speakers.

UK

England (United Kingdom), an anglosphere with its famous capital London, has a huge number of English speakers. In the UK 98.3% of residents speak English as their first language. There are more than 60 million anglophones in the United Kingdom. The UK is the biggest English speaking country in Europe. Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales which are the constituent parts of Britain also speak English.

Conclusion

English has become a widely spoken language in Europe. People in Europe take pride in their language but as English is now essential in the professional world, they are learning it as a second language. International business owners looking to expand throughout Europe can use the English language. English is also commonly used among internet users. A new form of Euro English is likely to emerge and the number of English speakers in European countries is likely to rise.

FAQs

1. Which European countries speak most English?

The UK and Ireland are the European countries that speak the most English. Iceland and the Netherlands also have a high percentage of English speakers.

2. How many countries in EU speak English?

Almost all the countries in the EU speak English. Countries like Spain and Portugal have a low percentage of people speaking English. Apart from the UK and Ireland, 19 out of 25 European Union countries speak English as a foreign language.

3. Can you work in Europe only speaking English?

Yes, if you can communicate well in English you can work in many countries in Europe. In some countries, it will be better if you can speak their native language.

4. Which European country gives citizenship easily?

Malta is a country that gives citizenship easily in Europe. Other countries that easily give you citizenship include Portugal, Ireland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

5. Which are the English-speaking countries in Europe?

The official English-speaking countries in Europe are Cyprus, Gibraltar, Malta, the UK, and Ireland.

6. Which European country is best at speaking English?

Out of the non-native English speaking countries in Europe, Norway, and Sweden are the best at speaking English. 90% and 89% of the population speak English in the country respectively.

7. What are the best countries in Europe to live in for English speakers?

The Netherlands, Austria, and Denmark are ranked the best countries in Europe to live in for English speakers. In the European Rankings for the EF English Proficiency Index, they scored 663, 641, and 636 respectively.