Official Language
Romanian
Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: romania-insider.com, valahia.news
Overall7/10More English-friendly than about 55% of cities
Good to know
Good to Know
- Bucharest ranks among the world's top cities for English proficiency; communication in English is generally easy in central areas, restaurants, hotels, and service businesses
- Younger Romanians (under 30) have significantly better English than older generations; language ability varies by profession and neighborhood
- English dominates in tech, finance, and tourism sectors—well-suited for nomads in these industries
- For daily life (banking, administration, local markets), learning basic Romanian phrases is highly valuable and appreciated by locals
- Service sector workers, hotel staff, and restaurant employees typically speak English; less common among street vendors, older shopkeepers, or in government offices
Key Insights
- Other Foreign Languages
- French spoken by approximately 24% of population; German also common
- Strongest Neighborhoods
- Central commercial areas, tourist zones, and professional business districts
- Language Learning Resources
- English is primary foreign language taught in public schools from primary to upper secondary levels
- Cultural Note
- Romanians appreciate efforts to speak their language; respectful to ask if someone speaks English before assuming
Official Languages
Romanian
- Speakers Percentage
- 91% as first language
- Status
- sole official language
English Proficiency
- Percentage Speaking English
- Approximately 29-31% of Romania's population speaks English; higher concentration in Bucharest
- Bucharest Ranking
- Ranked 12th globally among cities for English proficiency (EPI score 64.45); part of 'Very High Proficiency' group alongside Vienna, Berlin, Warsaw, Budapest
- Overall City Level
- Very High Proficiency
- Romania Country Ranking
- 11th in the world for English proficiency (2025 EF EPI), with 'very high' language skills
English Practical Use
- Urban Vs Daily Life
- Strong in commercial areas and with service workers; weaker outside tourist zones and with older populations
- Professional Sectors
- English widely used in technology, finance, tourism, and international companies
- Younger Demographics
- Most English speakers are under 30 years old; excellent English skills among younger generations
- Practical Communication
- Can get by with English in the city, but basic Romanian knowledge significantly improves daily life, especially for bureaucracy
- Tourism And Service Sector
- Good to fair level of English among locals in touristic areas and service sector
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
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 Bucharest
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.