Learning French, Italian, Spanish or Dutch for Study and Daily Life in Europe

Why the local language still matters

Many master's programmes in Europe are taught in English, but the local language shapes your daily life — housing, part-time work, healthcare admin, friendships and integration. Even on an English-taught degree, some everyday French, Italian, Spanish or Dutch makes life noticeably easier.

For bachelor's programmes, public-sector or regulated fields, and most undergraduate teaching outside dedicated international tracks, the local language is often a genuine admission requirement rather than a nice-to-have. This guide is a non-German overview of the four big European languages; German is covered separately.

Where each language is the language of study

French is the primary language of instruction across French public universities, and is widely used in parts of Belgium, Switzerland and Luxembourg. Italian is the standard medium at Italian universities outside their growing English-taught catalogue. Spanish (Castilian) is used across Spain, though some regions also use a co-official language such as Catalan, Galician or Basque alongside it. Dutch is the language of instruction for most Dutch-taught bachelor's programmes in the Netherlands and in Flanders (Belgium).

Because each country's system differs, confirm the exact language of a specific programme on the university's own official page rather than assuming.

• French — France (plus French-speaking Belgium, Switzerland, Luxembourg)
• Italian — Italy
• Spanish (Castilian) — Spain, with co-official regional languages in some areas
• Dutch — the Netherlands and Flanders (Belgium)

What level you typically need

Language requirements are expressed on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) scale, from A1 to C2. A degree taught in the local language usually expects an upper-intermediate to advanced level (commonly around B2, sometimes higher for demanding or clinical programmes), while everyday social life can begin to open up from around A2–B1.

The exact CEFR level a programme requires — and which proof it accepts — is set by each university and can differ even between departments. Always verify the required level on the official admission page for your specific course.

How students actually learn these languages

Most international students combine several routes: structured classes before departure (in their home country or online), the official cultural institutes and government-backed programmes, intensive courses on arrival, and university-run language and integration courses for new arrivals.

A practical path is to build a base before you move, then accelerate with an intensive or on-campus course once you are immersed. Daily-life practice — shopping, admin appointments, student clubs — does much of the rest.

• Pre-departure classes or self-study to reach a working base
• Official cultural-institute courses (e.g. national language institutes)
• Intensive in-country courses before the semester starts
• University language and integration courses for international students

Choosing which language to prioritise

Let your destination and programme decide, not the other way round. If your degree is fully English-taught and you only need the language for daily life, a conversational A2–B1 goal is realistic and rewarding. If your programme is taught locally or you plan to work or stay after graduation, aim higher and start earlier.

There is no 'easiest' or 'best' European language to learn — difficulty depends on your background and exposure. Pick based on where you want to study and live, then commit to consistent practice.