Consulting languages across Europe

Question

Hi everyone,

I wanted to ask which offices across Europe are the most English-friendly. I’ve tried researching whether local language skills are required, but I keep finding conflicting information. Some sources say it’s mandatory to speak the local language, while others suggest it depends on the specific office or job posting.

For example, companies like McKinsey often group several offices together in the same application, making it hard to tell which ones actually require the local language. I’ve even heard mixed messages directly from people in those offices.

My dream locations are Zurich and Geneva, I’m in love with Switzerland, but I know the DACH region tends to be quite strict about German. I’ve also heard that Amsterdam can be a good option for English speakers. What about the nordics?

Where would I be least penalized for not speaking the local language?

Thanks for your insights!

Answer 1

Hi there,

Language requirements in Europe really depend on the office size, client base, and how international the market is.

Zurich and Geneva are very competitive and quite strict on German or French for most consulting roles. Since client work in Switzerland is largely local, firms expect consultants to communicate fluently in at least one of the national languages.

If you want to work in Europe primarily in English, your best bets are Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Stockholm, and the Brussels offices. These markets are used to international clients and mixed-language teams, and many consultants there work entirely in English.

The Nordics, especially Denmark and Sweden, are also fairly open to English speakers, though speaking a bit of the local language helps in the long term.

So, if language is the deciding factor, start with Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Stockholm, or Brussels as your most English-friendly options. Zurich and Geneva are amazing places to live, but you would need at least conversational German or French to have a realistic shot.

Best of luck!