Some European countries require language proficiency even for residency.
ADVERTISEMENTIf you are an English speaker planning to move to Europe in 2024, you might want to find a country where you’re likely to be understood from the get-go.
Although learning the local language of your new home should be a priority, it takes time.
While you’re getting to grips with verb tenses and articles, it’s comforting to know you can still communicate in English if necessary.
In some European nations English is widely spoken, making them a safe bet. Other countries require knowledge of the local language just to apply for residency.
At the start of 2024, France announced changes to immigration laws including increasing language requirements.
Applying for a multi-year or long-term residency card will now mean demonstrating a higher level of French than before.
Which are the best European countries for English speakers?
Native English speakers are notoriously poor at learning a foreign language. A study by the European Commission in 2020 found that 62 per cent of Brits surveyed couldn’t speak a second language. In the EU, 56 per cent of people can speak at least one.
In an InterNations study of expats’ concerns before moving abroad, the biggest fear was the language barrier.
So if you want to move to Europe but are worried about language barriers, it’s a good idea to prioritise the countries where English is widely spoken.
The English Proficiency Index released by the global education company Education First (EF) reveals the top countries in Europe for speaking English.
EF collated the English test results of 2 million people worldwide, including from 35 European countries, to make their classification. Each country received a ranking out of 800 points.
Northern European countries have the best English language skills
European countries took eight spots in EF’s top ten countries for English speakers.
Croatia makes it to number 10, but northern European countries dominated the ranking. Finland and Sweden come in 9th and 8th while Denmark makes it to the third spot.
In second place comes Austria, scoring 641 points out of a possible 800. The top spot is taken by the Netherlands, with between 91 and 93 per cent of Dutch people saying they are able to hold a conversation in English.
Out of the European countries, Italy came in the lowest place, so if you fancy moving there it’s worth considering language classes beforehand.
Which European countries require knowledge of the language for residency permits?
If you know you struggle with language learning, watch out for the countries that require foreign citizens to pass a language test in order to apply for residency.
France has just brought in a host of changes to its immigration laws, including concerning language requirements. Authorities have introduced language tests for certain types of residency permits and a higher language level requirement for citizenship.
While there will continue to be no language test for short-term residency cards, the multi-year carte de séjour pluriannuelle will require applicants to demonstrate French language skills of A2 or above of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
ADVERTISEMENTFor the Carte de résident (résident longue durée UE), a 10-year card issued to long-term residents who either can't or don't want to apply for French citizenship, the language requirement rises from level A2 to B1.
Under the new law, those considering applying for French citizenship must now demonstrate B2 level language knowledge.
To gain permanent residency and citizenship, Germany asks for knowledge of the language. The current regulations require German at B1 level of the CEFR.
This is defined as being able to “understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc.”
In Norway, temporary residency permits have no language requirements while permanent residency permits require a good command of the language.
ADVERTISEMENTDepending on your circumstances, you may need to complete 250-550 hours of Norwegian language lessons and a social studies course. In some cases, you can show you have passed a Norwegian language test at A2 level instead.
Permanent residency in Switzerland also demands familiarity with one of its languages (German, French or Italian) at A2 level for speaking and A1 for writing.
Sweden is currently considering introducing language requirements for long-term or permanent residency permits.
Which European countries have the lowest language requirements?
Many countries don’t require knowledge of the language for residency permits and only ask for language proficiency to apply for citizenship.
Spain, for example, only asks for an A2 DELE qualification (Diploma de Español como Lengua Extranjera) in Spanish to apply for citizenship. This is equivalent to a high-level beginner.
ADVERTISEMENTPortugal also requires A2 level of CEFR for citizenship. Italy asks for B1 level language skills and France now requires B2 in order to apply for citizenship.
