Official Language
German
Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: thehistoryofenglish.com, en.wikipedia.org
Good to know
Good to Know
- Berlin's multicultural atmosphere and large expatriate population make it one of the most English-speaking cities in Germany.
- While many signposts and public transport systems and menus are available in English, it's advisable for visitors to familiarize themselves with basic German phrases to ease communication.
- You can get by without speaking German, especially in major cities and tourist areas, as many Germans in hospitality, retail, and public transport speak English comfortably.
- People over 50 and residents in eastern Berlin (where Russian was historically taught in schools) may have lower English proficiency.
Expat Community
There are approximately 44,000 expats in Berlin from countries where the official home language is English, making up approximately 1.3% of the total population of 3.5 million.
Official Language
German
Official Language Notes
The official language of Germany is German, with approximately 88 percent of the country speaking Standard German or a dialect of German as their first language.
Foreign Languages In City
The most commonly spoken foreign languages in Berlin are English, Turkish, Russian, Arabic, Polish, Kurdish, Vietnamese, Serbian, Croatian, Greek, and other Asian languages.
English Proficiency Berlin
- English Speakers Percentage
- 56% of Berlin's population speaks English as a second language (national figure); Berlin ranks among the highest in Germany.
- City Ranking
- Berlin ranked second among major German cities with an English Proficiency Index score of 65.51, following Düsseldorf (65.55).
- General Level
- High
- English Job Market
- 14.32% of job listings in Berlin are in English, making it one of the best English speaking cities in Germany for job seekers.
- Description
- The average Berlin inhabitant is likely to be highly proficient in English, being able to speak fluently on a variety of topics, including abstract and technical ones.
Sectors With Strong English
Sectors With Strong English
- Tourism and hospitality
- Technology and startups
- International business and finance
- Retail in central areas
- Professional services
Recommendations For Visitors
Recommendations For Visitors
- While English is widely available, learning basic German phrases is appreciated
- Start interactions with "Entschuldigung, sprechen Sie Englisch?" (polite ask if they speak English)
- English becomes less available in local neighborhood shops and traditional establishments outside central areas
Practical English Accessibility
- Age Factor
- People under 25 on the streets of Berlin are more likely to speak English, whereas it is a different story with people over 25.
- Tourist Areas
- English is widely spoken in hotels, stores, and restaurants.
- Everyday Navigation
- In Berlin, you can survive without too many difficulties just using English.
- Less Touristy Areas
- Local businesses, especially in less touristy areas, may have staff members who speak little to no English.
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this language & english friendliness research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Berlin
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.