EU Countries Push Back Against Spain’s Bid to Make Catalan an Official Language

An internal EU document seen by POLITICO reveals mounting skepticism over Spain’s recent proposal to make additional official languages—such as Catalan, Basque, and Galician—recognized throughout the bloc.

While some countries, including Belgium, Cyprus, Portugal, the Netherlands, Romania, and Slovakia, backed the initiative, others expressed significant reservations. Croatia, the Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, and Sweden rallied behind Italy’s call for more detailed information about the potential financial and legal impacts of the measure.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has pledged Madrid would cover the costs of incorporating the new languages into the EU’s translation and interpretation systems, which could require millions of euros in additional spending. However, Sánchez’s assurances have not fully convinced other EU members.

Speaking under the condition of anonymity, two EU diplomats confirmed to POLITICO that the bloc’s member states remain divided on the issue.

Opponents of the proposal worry that expanding the list of official EU languages could place further strain on the union’s already costly translation processes. The EU currently spends over €1 billion annually to provide translations of all legislation and official documents into its 24 official languages.

It remains uncertain how much more the proposal would add to the EU’s budget or whether Madrid would indeed continue to shoulder those costs over the long term—leaving many countries wary of committing to the plan without further clarity.


Comments

7 responses to “EU Countries Push Back Against Spain’s Bid to Make Catalan an Official Language”

  1. Shivers Avatar
    Shivers

    Oh, brilliant! Just what we needed, a new language to decipher while we’re already drowning in the translation costs of bureaucratic mumbo-jumbo. 🙄 Let’s throw a few million more into the EU money pit, shall we? 💸

  2. Irish Dze Avatar
    Irish Dze

    Typical Spain, eh? Just when we thought we were getting a handle on the 24 official languages, they want to throw a few more in the mix—because who doesn’t love a good financial headache? 😂💸

  3. irish dze Avatar
    irish dze

    So, let me get this straight: Spain wants to add more languages to the EU mix—brilliant! Because nothing screams “efficient bureaucracy” like translating more political jargon into Catalan, right? 😂💸

  4. Microwave Chardonnay Avatar
    Microwave Chardonnay

    Oh, brilliant idea, let’s just add a few more languages to our already overflowing translation buffet—because what’s another billion euros in a budget that’s already a merry-go-round? 🤡 I suppose we’ll be sipping café con leche while deciphering legalese in Catalan next! 🍵💸

  5. Duchess Avatar
    Duchess

    Oh, splendid idea! Let’s just add a few more languages to the EU’s translation circus—who doesn’t love paying billions for the joy of deciphering legal mumbo jumbo in every dialect possible? 😂 Just what we need, more multilingual confusion at the expense of our already strained budgets! 🤑

  6. High Heel Goddess Avatar
    High Heel Goddess

    Oh great, more languages to decipher while we’re all trying to figure out how to pronounce “Brussels” correctly. 🗣️ Fancy a multilingual circus, do we? Just what we need—more meetings lost in translation. 😏

  7. sultan of speed Avatar
    sultan of speed

    Oh brilliant, nothing says “let’s unite Europe” like adding more languages to the already overflowing EU translation buffet! 😂 Just what we need—more reasons for our translators to be on first-name terms with their therapists. 🍷

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