Languages in Greece: Do People Speak English in Greece?

From its ancient hilltop ruins and charming islands to its traditional Mediterranean cities, Greece is a place of ancient history, culture, and scenic views. Nevertheless, you may be concerned about a potential language barrier and wonder, “Do they speak English in Greece?”

While many Greeks do speak English, it is not the primary language. Anywhere from 30-50% of the population can communicate in basic English. And, I would say that this is a reasonable estimate. It was pretty easy to travel around, even in the more remote areas. 

Don’t be afraid of encountering language barriers while exploring this beautiful country. Either way, it’s always helpful to learn some essential Greek phrases before your trip and find alternative ways to overcome communication hurdles.

To help with your planning, we’ve put together a guide to the languages spoken in Greece.

Do They Speak English in Greece?

In Greece, if you consider the entire population of approximately 10.7 million people, then a significant portion speaks English. Of course, this is also because a third of the country lives in the capital, Athens, where English is much more likely to be used.

Based on my experience traveling through Greece, it was actually very easy to get around. Most people can answer at least basic questions and help with traveler questions like directions or finding places. 

Of course, in touristy areas such as Athens and Santorini, you are more likely to encounter fluent English speakers, particularly those in the tourism industry. In rural areas or villages with older people, you may have a lot more of a communication barrier.

Like many other Mediterranean countries, Greek people have a noticeable accent incorporating their cultural and linguistic tones and characteristics. 

What Percent of Greece Speaks English?

Some estimates put the percentage of English speakers in Greece’s population at 51%. Based on my experience, that seems to be decently accurate if you count anyone with a basic English level. 

However, if you also count those with intermediate-level English proficiency, the percentage would be more like 30% or less.

How common is English spoken in Greece?

English is commonly spoken in Greece, especially among the younger generations and those with higher-education degrees. English is taught in the educational system, and many young people are increasingly fluent in English.

Many British and other EU expats come and use English to get around.

Why do most Greeks speak English?

English is the global language of business and tourism. As a result, many young Greeks are eager to learn English to gain better job prospects.

At the same time, Greece has been an EU member state for some time now. With a greater influx of exports from other European countries, being able to speak English helps with business partnerships.

Do Greeks learn English at school?

English is a compulsory subject in Greek schools in early elementary school. Still, it is not spoken regularly in daily life unless you are interacting with foreigners.

What city in Greece speaks the most English?

The city with the most English speakers in Greece is Athens. As a major metropolitan area, it has more exposure to foreign languages and cultures than other cities. 

Plus, as the capital of Greece, many people flock to Athens to work or study, which further increases its exposure to other languages.

Languages Spoken in Greece

What Languages do they Speak in Greece?

Greece is very culturally homogeneous, with most of the population being native Greek speakers. Greek is recognized as the official language of Greece and is spoken by almost all of its population (99%).

Apart from this, regional dialects are spoken within Greece; one especially notable one is from Crete. 

How Many Languages are Spoken in Greece?

While Greek is the official language spoken by most of the population, several other languages are spoken throughout the country, including Albanian, Bulgarian, and Macedonian. Many also learn nearby European languages, such as English, German, French, and Italian.

Traveling to Greece: Can you survive with English in Greece?

Visiting Greece without knowing Greek is completely feasible. Most of Greece’s tourist hotspots and hotels have bilingual staff who speak fluent enough. Additionally, many restaurants and shops in Greek cities provide menus and road signs written in both Greek and English to cater to international visitors.

How English-friendly is Greece?

Very. Many professionals working in the tourism industry, such as restaurant staff and taxi drivers, have basic English language proficiency. Many street signs and public notices are also written in English to assist tourists with navigation.

In case you encounter difficulties communicating, Google Translate can come in handy. Even in smaller towns, you can pre-download the Greek language on Google Translate or get a SIM card to access the app’s voice recognition feature for those who prefer speaking to typing.

Travel Tip! Vodafone and Cosmote are the two big carriers in Greece. Although Vodafone works just as well on the mainland, in my experience, Cosmote seems to do a lot better on the islands. At least the islands we visited.

Which Greek island is best for English speakers?

The best Greek islands for English speakers are the household names like Santorini or party islands like Mykonos. 

Can I live in Greece if I don’t speak Greek?

It is definitely possible to live here without speaking Greek. Greece’s major cities, like Athens and Thessaloniki, have many English-speaking residents who can help when settling into a new country. If you choose to live in an expat neighborhood, you will find many native English speakers.

Many expats living in Greece end up taking Greek language classes to handle more complicated tasks, and many signs are only in Greek. Although it’s feasible to live in Greece without knowing Greek, having some level of familiarity with the language can make life significantly more comfortable.

Can I get a job in Greece if I Don’t speak Greek?

Yes, there are plenty of opportunities to get a job in Greece if you don’t speak Greek. English is widely spoken, and being an established member of the EU, many companies, especially in the tourism industry, need staff to handle communication with other countries. Although, of course, it is always easier if you are bilingual.

Basic Greek Phrases to Use on Your Travels

Although not necessary, knowing a few local phrases can help you to connect with the locals and show appreciation for their culture.

basic phrases that could come in handy during your travels:

• Γεια σου (Geia sou) – Hello (can be a casual goodbye too)
• Ευχαριστώ (Efharisto) – Thank you
• Παρακαλώ (Parakalo) – Please/You’re welcome
• Συγνώμη (Sygnomi) – Excuse me/I’m sorry
• Ναι (Ne) – Yes
• Όχι (Ohi) – No
• Πόσο κάνει αυτό; (Poso kani afto?) – How much does this cost?
• Που είναι η τουαλέτα; (Pou ine i toualeta?) – Where is the restroom?
• Τι κάνεις; (Ti kanis?) – How are you?
• Καλά, εσύ; (Kala, esi?) – I’m fine, and you?
• Γαμάτο (Gamato) – Awesome, great
• Είσαι όμορφη (Eisai omorfi) – You’re beautiful
• Είσαι ωραίος (Eisai oreos) – You’re handsome
• Καληνύχτα (Kalinyhta) – Goodnight
• Αντίο (Antio) – Goodbye

Why do Greeks say Ella?

Greeks often use the phrase “Ella” as a way of expressing their enthusiasm. But there are also many other reasons people say Ella, all very informal. Directly translated, it means “come with”, but you can also say it for partying and excitement. You can also add “re” to the end

Why do Greeks say Opa?

Greeks also say “Opa” a lot for many different reasons, like watch out, you’re about to fall, woah, wait a second, and many more.

Is it easy to learn Greek?

Learning Greek can be challenging since it is an entirely different language than English. The Greek alphabet is the first thing you need to tackle. 

The Greek language has a complex grammatical structure, including cases, tenses, and verb conjugations. You will also need to learn about accentuation and intonation to speak modern Greek fluently.

Why English has so many Greek words?

The influence of the Greek language can be seen in many languages, including English. This is because Greek was the language of science and philosophy for centuries, so many English words were borrowed from Greek as those fields developed.

Final Thoughts: Do People Speak English In Greece?

You don’t need to be fluent in Greek to travel around the country, but knowing some critical Greek phrases can enhance your travel experience. English is commonly spoken in major tourist cities like Athens, Thessaloniki, and Santorini, but less so in rural areas.

You can manage your way around Greece without much trouble if you have access to Google Translate and a SIM card. Greece is a super popular tourist destination, and the natives are always helpful.