If you are fluent in English and want to move to Europe soon, you are probably looking for a country where you can be understood from the start.
While learning a country's local language should be a priority, it can take time. While you are learning verb tenses and articles, it is comforting to know that you can still communicate in English if necessary.
In some European countries, English is widely spoken, which makes these places a safe bet, especially when some countries require knowledge of the local language just to apply for residency.
What are the best European countries for English speakers?
Native English speakers are known to be lacking knowledge of a foreign language. A study carried out by the European Commission in 2020 found that 62% of British people could not speak a second language. In the EU, 56% of people can speak at least one language other than their native language.
In a study carried out by InterNations into expatriates' 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 prioritize countries where English is widely spoken.
The English Proficiency Index released by global education company Education First (EF) reveals the top countries in Europe for speaking English. EF compiled English test results from 2 million people around the world, including 35 European countries, to make its rankings. Each country received a rating of 800 points.
Northern European countries have the best knowledge of the English language
European countries took up eight spots in EF's top ten countries for English speakers. Croatia came in at number 10, but northern European countries dominated the ranking. Finland and Sweden occupy 9th and 8th positions, while Denmark comes in third place.
In second place comes Austria, scoring 641 points out of 800. First place is occupied by the Netherlands, with between 91% and 93% of Dutch people saying they can hold a conversation in English. Of the European countries, Italy ranked lowest, so if you want to move there, it's worth considering Italian lessons first.
Visa options in Austria
If you know you are worried about not speaking German, know that the work visa in Austria is based on a score: either you have knowledge of the language, or you can prove that you have years of work experience in a certain area (for example, 1 year in area of ​​gastronomy and English B2, or 7 years of experience of gastronomy and English A2). This visa is also known as the RWR-Card, and is ideal for long-term stays in Austria. You can read more about it here .
The country also offers short-term visas (up to 6 months), perfect for seasonal workers, who only go to the country during the summer or winter seasons, for example. Are you curious? Here we explain everything about the D Visa.
