Countries that speak German
German is the most widely spoken native language in the European Union, with over 100 million native speakers. It is the official language of Germany, Austria, Switzerland (alongside French, Italian, and Romansh), Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, and Belgium. German is a key language in science, philosophy, engineering, and classical music. Germany's status as Europe's largest economy makes German an important language for international business within the EU.
Complete list of countries that speak German
| # | Country | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Austria | 9.20M |
| 2 |  Belgium | 11.83M |
| 3 |  Luxembourg | 682.0K |
| 4 |  Namibia | 3.02M |
| 5 |  Germany | 83.49M |
| 6 |  Liechtenstein | 40.9K |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many countries speak German?
German is an official language in 6 countries: Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, and Belgium. It is also spoken by significant minorities in Italy (South Tyrol), France (Alsace), and other European countries.
Is German hard to learn?
German can be challenging due to its grammatical cases, gendered nouns, and compound words. However, as a Germanic language, it shares many roots with English, making vocabulary easier for English speakers. The Foreign Service Institute estimates 750 hours for proficiency.
Why is German important for business?
Germany has the largest economy in Europe and fourth largest in the world. Many global companies are headquartered in German-speaking countries, including Volkswagen, Siemens, Nestlé, and Novartis.