Travel lists
Countries where English is widely spoken
English widely spoken55 countries
Checked22 October 2026
In these countries most people you'll meet speak good English, either as a first language or because it's taught from an early age. A few words of the local language still go a long way.
The full list
Tap a country for its full travel guide.
Austria
Bahrain
Belgium
Bhutan
Botswana
Brunei
Croatia
Cyprus
Denmark
Estonia
Eswatini
Finland
Gambia
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Iceland
India
Israel
Kenya
Kuwait
Latvia
Lesotho
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Mauritius
Namibia
Netherlands
Nigeria
Norway
Oman
Papua New Guinea
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Samoa
Serbia
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Slovenia
South Africa
Sweden
Switzerland
Tonga
Uganda
United Arab Emirates
Vanuatu
Zambia
Zimbabwe
From the English filter on Waymark's map, checked 22 October 2026. Rules change, so check the country guide before you travel.
Questions people ask
Which non-English-speaking countries speak the best English?
The Netherlands, the Nordic countries and Malta are known for very high levels of English.
Do I need to learn any local words?
Not to get by, but a hello and thank you in the local language is always appreciated.
Where is English harder to find?
Rural areas and older people everywhere tend to speak less English. Our English guides cover the main destinations.