The languages of Belgium: Dutch, French and German explained
Belgium has three official languages — Dutch, French and German — three communities and three regions. Who speaks what where, what it means for school, work and nationality, and which language to learn.
Updated · 2 min read
Belgium sits on the line between Germanic and Latin Europe, and its constitution reflects it: three official languages — Dutch, French and German — and three communities: Flemish, French and German-speaking (Belgium.be).
| Region | Language |
|---|---|
| Flemish Region (Flanders) | Dutch |
| Walloon Region (Wallonia) | French — and German in the German-speaking Community in the east |
| Brussels-Capital Region | bilingual: French and Dutch |
The country is also divided into 10 provinces and, Belgium.be says, 565 municipalities.
What it means for you
- Nationality: A2 in one of the three national languages — see Belgian nationality and the Dutch test.
- Integration: in Flanders the pathway is in Dutch (Flemish inburgering); in Brussels, French or Dutch (learning Dutch in Brussels); in Wallonia, French.
- Public jobs: often a language certificate — see working for the Belgian government.
- Daily life: the language of your region is the language of the gemeente, the school and most jobs.
Which language to learn?
The one you will live and work in. In Flanders, Dutch; in Wallonia, French; in Brussels, both help. Dutch in Flanders is standard Dutch — Dutch vs Flemish.
Dutch for Flanders
16Word teaches standard Dutch from 36 languages — including French — 16 words at a time, with audio. Free to start.
Keep learning
- Dutch vs Flemish
- Learning Dutch in Brussels
- Inburgering in Flanders
- Luxembourgish vs Dutch
- Verb tables: zijn, hebben, gaan, komen, kunnen, moeten, willen, mogen, zullen, worden, werken, lezen, schrijven, spreken, luisteren, begrijpen, zeggen, vragen, maken, doen, geven, nemen, zien, kijken, denken, vinden, weten, kennen
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Frequently asked questions
What languages are spoken in Belgium?
Three official languages: Dutch (Flanders), French (Wallonia) and German (the German-speaking Community in the east); Brussels is bilingual French–Dutch.
Is Flemish an official language of Belgium?
The official language is Dutch; Flemish is the name for the Dutch spoken in Flanders.
Which language do I need for Belgian nationality?
A2 in one of the three national languages: Dutch, French or German.
Should I learn Dutch or French in Belgium?
The language of the region where you live and work: Dutch in Flanders, French in Wallonia; in Brussels, both help.
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Official sources
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