Languages of Spain: Spanish, Catalan, Galician, Basque
06/05/2025 
Reading time: 4 min Languages of Spain: Spanish and the regional languages
Spain has one national language — Spanish (called Castilian, castellano) — spoken across the whole country. But Spain is multilingual: in four regions a regional language is co-official alongside Spanish — Catalan, Valencian, Galician and Basque, plus Aranese in Catalonia's Aran Valley. It's set out in Article 3 of the 1978 Constitution. For relocation this matters: in Catalonia, Valencia, Galicia and the Basque Country you'll meet a second language in schools, public offices and on the street.
- EverywhereSpanish (Castilian)The only nationwide official language.
- Catalonia, Balearics+ CatalanCompulsory in schools and public offices there.
- Valencia+ ValencianThe official name of Catalan in the region.
- Galicia / Basque Country+ Galician / BasqueGalician is close to Portuguese; Basque is a language isolate.
- What to learn to moveSpanishIt's enough everywhere; a regional language is a career plus.
Official languages of Spain
| Language | Where it's official | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish (Castilian) | Whole country | State language, derived from Latin |
| Catalan | Catalonia, Balearic Islands | A distinct language with its own literature |
| Valencian | Valencian Community | The official name of Catalan in Valencia |
| Galician | Galicia | Closely related to Portuguese |
| Basque (euskera) | Basque Country, part of Navarre | A language isolate, unrelated to Indo-European |
| Aranese (Occitan) | Aran Valley (Catalonia) | Co-official since 2006 |
Spanish — the main language
Castilian (Spanish) is official in every administrative, legal and cultural sphere: laws and paperwork are published in it, it's the mother tongue of most residents and the bridge between regions. It's one of the most widely spoken languages in the world. In education and media Spanish dominates — almost all schools and universities teach in it (in Catalonia, Valencia and the Basque Country, in parallel with the regional language), and TV, radio and press are mainly Spanish, though bilingual regions have their own outlets too.
Regional languages
Official in Catalonia and the Balearics, and — as "Valencian" — in the Valencian Community. A language in its own right, not a Spanish dialect, with a long literary tradition. Schooling in these regions is often in both Spanish and Catalan; some Barcelona universities teach mainly in Catalan.
Official in Galicia in the north-west. It shares roots with Portuguese, with its own grammar and vocabulary, and is taught in schools and used in public offices; interest has grown in recent decades, especially among young people.
One of Europe's most unusual languages — unrelated to any Indo-European language. Official in the Basque Country and part of Navarre, actively promoted in schools, on TV and in public institutions; in some areas a large share of the population speaks it. It's a key marker of Basque identity.
Without nationwide official status but alive in their regions: Aragonese (Aragon), Asturian (Asturias) and Aranese (a variety of Occitan, co-official in the Aran Valley in Catalonia).
Which language to learn for moving
For living, working and dealing with authorities, Spanish is enough everywhere. A regional language (Catalan, Galician, Basque) isn't required to relocate, but it's an advantage for a career and integration where it's used — in Catalonia or the Basque Country, local-language skills noticeably ease both work and daily life. How the regions differ in language and cost of living is covered in the best cities to live in Spain.
Frequently asked questions
Official sources:
• Spanish Constitution, Article 3 (languages)
