What Language Do They Speak in Spain?
Facts last checked 9 October 2026.
Spain has 4 official languages: Spanish, Basque, Catalan, Galician. Spanish is also an official language in 20 other countries worldwide.
Learn some Spanish before you go
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Spanish Phrasebook & Dictionary
The essentials for ordering food, asking directions and being polite.
Languages of Spain at a glance
| Official languages | Spanish, Basque, Catalan, Galician |
|---|---|
| Number of official languages | 4 |
| Countries on this site where Spanish is official | 21 |
| People (demonym) | Spanish |
| Capital | Madrid |
| Internet domain | .es |
Other countries where Spanish is official
Spanish is also an official language in 20 other countries covered here:
- Argentina
- Belize
- Bolivia
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Cuba
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- Equatorial Guinea
- Guatemala
- Honduras
- Mexico
- Nicaragua
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Uruguay
- Venezuela
Languages of neighbouring countries
Spain in context
- Spain covers 505,992 km², making it the 51st largest of the 196 countries on this site.
- Its population density of about 97 people per km² ranks 92nd of 196 (1st = most crowded).
- It shares a land border with 4 countries: Andorra, France, Portugal, Morocco.
- With 49,315,949 people, Spain holds about 37.5% of the population of Southern Europe.
- With 4 official languages, Spain has more than most countries on this site.
- Traffic drives on the right, and calendars start the week on Monday.
- Spain is a member state of the United Nations.
Compare Spain
Useful phrases for visitors to Spain
Everyday Spanish phrases you will hear and use in Spain:
| English | Spanish |
|---|---|
| Hello | Hola |
| Thank you | Gracias |
| Please | Por favor |
| Goodbye | Adiós |
| Yes | Sí |
| No | No |
Everyday Basque phrases you will hear and use in Spain:
| English | Basque |
|---|---|
| Hello | Kaixo |
| Thank you | Eskerrik asko |
| Please | Mesedez |
| Goodbye | Agur |
| Yes | Bai |
| No | Ez |
Spellings can vary by region, and some languages use different forms for formal or informal speech. Even a simple greeting in the local language is usually appreciated.
Languages in Spain — FAQ
What language do they speak in Spain?
The official languages of Spain are Spanish, Basque, Catalan and Galician.
How many official languages does Spain have?
Spain has 4 official languages: Spanish, Basque, Catalan, Galician.
Is Spanish spoken anywhere else?
Spanish is also an official language in 20 other countries.
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