Austria is a linguistically diverse country with several languages spoken across its regions.

Official Language

German is the official language of Austria, spoken by 98% of the population. Specifically, Austrians speak Austrian German, which is slightly different from Standard German, with unique accents and vocabulary.

See German Language Guide For Travelers

Major Unofficial Languages

Two significant unofficial languages are prominent in Austria:

1. Austro-Bavarian: A collection of dialects spoken by around 7 million people, essentially a de facto main language of the country.
2. Alemannic: Primarily spoken in the western state of Vorarlberg and parts of Tyrol, with approximately 300,000 speakers.

Minority Languages

Several minority languages are recognized in Austria:

• Burgenland Croatian: An official language in the Burgenland region, spoken by about 2.5% of Austrians
• Serbo-Croatian: The largest minority language, spoken by over 4% of the population
• Turkish: The second-largest minority language, spoken by 2.3% of the population
• Hungarian: Historically significant, now spoken by around 1,000 people in Burgenland
• Slovene: An official language in the southern province of Carinthia

Foreign Languages

Foreign language proficiency in Austria includes:

• English (73%)
• French (11%)
• Italian (9%)

Austria’s linguistic landscape reflects its rich historical and cultural diversity, with German serving as the primary unifying languages.

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Explore Austria Further

• Austria [Country Info]
• Common Misconceptions – Austria
• Currency Guide – Austria
• Essential Travel Tips for Austria
• Geographical Regions of Austria
• Language Learning Guide For Travelers To German Speaking Countries
• Popular Cities To Visit In Austria
• Popular Foods In Austria
• Popular Museums To Visit In Austria
• Safety Guide For Travelers To Austria
• Top 50 Things To Do In Austria
• Top Historical Places To Visit In Austria
• What Languages Are Spoken In Austria?