On 26 September, the EU celebrates the richness of its languages and cultures through the European Day of Languages. This is an opportunity for people, schools and organisations across Europe to discover the fun of learning new languages and to find out why multilingualism matters.
The European Day of Languages
raises awareness of how language learning helps us understand other cultures and build stronger relationships
highlights the rich mix of languages spoken in Europe
encourages people of all ages to learn languages, both in and outside of school
Celebrate the European Day of Languages with us!
From special events and games to language cafés and hands-on activities, there's something for everyone. Find events near you!
Why get involved?
Languages shape our daily lives in the EU. Celebrating them reminds us how diverse – but also how connected – we are. This is a chance to meet people, discover something new and maybe even be inspired to start learning a language.
The European Day of Languages shows that language learning can be fun. By taking part, you're joining millions of people across Europe who believe languages matter.
What are the benefits of learning languages?
Learning languages can help you
- travel more easily and feel more at home abroad
- enhance your job opportunities
- enjoy books, films and news in the original language, gaining deeper cultural insights
- build self-confidence and social skills
- boost brain flexibility, memory, concentration and creativity.
Whether you’re learning your first foreign language or adding another to your list, it’s a rewarding and empowering experience. Language learning opens doors to new possibilities at any stage of life.
Download our infographic - 5 great reasons to learn languages
Why languages build bridges
In our podcast episode, Anna Holmén talks to Anna Sole Mena from the Commission's Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture about what the European Day of Languages is really about. They discuss why language learning matters – from boosting your career prospects to understanding other cultures, delaying cognitive decline, and even enjoying films and books in their original language. As Anna Sole Mena puts it, quoting Nelson Mandela: "Talk to someone in a language they understand, and it reaches their head; talk to them in their own language, and it reaches their heart."
Why is language learning important in the EU?
Language learning builds bridges between people and cultures. It helps us share ideas, develop trust and cooperation, and create stronger, more connected communities.
The EU has 24 official languages: Bulgarian, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Irish, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish and Swedish.
But Europe's linguistic landscape is even richer than that. People also speak more than 60 regional and minority languages, plus many brought by migrant communities.
Who organises the European Day of Languages?
This is a joint initiative by the Council of Europe and the European Commission. Since its launch in 2001, it has been celebrated across the EU and beyond. The event is supported by education ministries, language institutes, cultural organisations, schools and community groups around Europe. Together, we promote the joy and value of learning languages.
To mark the 25th anniversary of the European Day of Languages in 2025, the Council of Europe and the Commission developed a Motivation Manifesto. It highlights why language learning is important and how much motivation matters.
Related links
- 2026 European Day of Languages – Official poster
- 2024 Eurobarometer survey results – Europeans and their languages
- Language challenges app – Learn languages through fun quizzes and missions
- Languages take you further – Discover the EU's official languages
- European Day of Languages – Council of Europe Centre for Modern Languages
This page was last updated on 17 July 2026