German: Still Europe’s Most Widely Spoken Native Language

When expanding into Europe, English is often seen as the default. Yet the numbers tell a different story: German remains the most widely spoken native language across the continent.

According to a recent report published by Welt, German is an official language in seven European countries or regions – Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, South Tyrol in Italy, and East Belgium. Beyond that, German is still spoken by minorities in eight additional countries including Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Ukraine, Russia, France, and Denmark.
Read the original article on Welt.de

Why this matters for businesses

• Market reach: German connects not only Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, but also millions of speakers across Central and Eastern Europe.

• Trust factor: Communicating in German builds credibility. In many industries, using the local language signals seriousness and long-term commitment.

• Economic impact: The DACH region alone represents one of the largest markets worldwide, and German-speaking minorities often occupy strong positions in trade and local economies.

Conclusion

For international SMEs, entering the German-speaking market means tapping into a broad European ecosystem. Language is not just a tool—it’s a strategic advantage. Companies that communicate in German open doors to stronger relationships, faster trust-building, and greater market opportunities.