Is only German spoken in Bolzano?
No, it's not true that only German is spoken in Bolzano
This is one of the most widespread beliefs about Bolzano and South Tyrol, but reality is quite different. It's true that in many areas of South Tyrol German is predominantly spoken, but Bolzano is a special case, with a much more varied linguistic composition.
Updated data: Language groups
According to 2023 Linguistic Census data, published by ASTAT in 2024, the composition of the resident population in the province of Bolzano (with Italian citizenship) is as follows:
- 68.61% belongs to the German language group
- 26.98% to the Italian language group
- 4.41% to the Ladin language group
Compared to the 2011 census, the percentage of Italian speakers has slightly increased, but German remains the most widespread language throughout the provincial territory, even though in Bolzano city the situation is somewhat different, with a more balanced distribution between the two main languages.
A bilingual (and trilingual!) reality
Despite the prevalence of German, Bolzano is still a bilingual city: all official documents, public signs and institutional communications are available in both Italian and German. Furthermore, in schools, teaching of both languages is mandatory, and attention is also growing towards the Ladin language, recognized as the third official language in some areas of South Tyrol.
Living or visiting Bolzano
If you're thinking of moving to or visiting Bolzano, you don't need to worry if you don't know German: you can easily communicate in Italian, especially in the city and in tourist areas. However, learning a few words in German can be an added value, especially if you also move to the more inland valleys, where German is more widespread.
In summary, Bolzano is a multicultural and multilingual city where two different but complementary cultures coexist daily. And it's precisely this mix that makes the South Tyrolean capital so unique and fascinating.