5 Languages to Start With When Translating Your Videos for European Audiences

According to YouTube’s recent report, content localization is one of the hottest trends among creators in 2025. Why? It’s simple: you can earn 3x on your existing videos by translating them into other languages. Also: it’s trending because it works.

As a YouTube-recommended vendor, AIR Media-Tech worked on the most successful translation cases including 9 localized channels for Brave Wilderness and 20 channels for Kids Diana Show. So, here is a list of the best European languages for YouTube growth to start translating your content into.

But First: What About English?

The English market is oversaturated. There’s so much content in English out there that standing out may feel impossible. Instead of competing in a crowded space, why not shift your focus to native content that feels personal and truly speaks to viewers? By translating your videos into the languages your audience lives and breathes, you set yourself apart with genuine localization for European audiences.

Did you know that for 1.45 billion English-speaking viewers, there are 12.2 million creators? In contrast, for 310 million French-speaking viewers, there are only 735K creators, which means the competition is three times lower & the chance to blow up is three times higher. That’s exactly why the first place in our chart of European languages is French:

1. French

The French language is global and connects 28 countries, including France, Belgium, Switzerland, Luxembourg, parts of Canada, and lots of African countries. French is the 5th most spoken language in the world with nearly 310 million speakers. In France alone, with a population of about 67 million people, YouTube usage has been on the rise.

We’ve seen firsthand how well-localized French channels drive not only longer watch times but also higher engagement and improved CPMs. So, when you plan to translate videos for European audiences, adding French means you’re reaching a diverse, vibrant community that spans continents.

Hundreds of creators have translated their content with AIR Media-Tech, connecting with global audiences and enhancing performance in every language. As a YouTube-recommended vendor for translation and localization, AIR ensures top-quality service tailored to your growth. Reach out to us to learn more!

2. German

According to our data, the German market ranks first with the highest advertiser payouts, offering $5,200 per million views. The USA follows with $5,000 per million views, while France takes third place with $4,500 per million views.

Disclaimer: This data is based on past analytics and can change over time depending on your YouTube niche and other key factors. Contact us for the latest stats!

German is spoken by roughly 100 million speakers across 42 countries, including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Luxembourg. Advertisers are willing to pay a premium in this market because viewers are both attentive and financially well-off. If you’re searching for the best languages for European video translation, German should be your top choice.

At AIR Media-Tech, our experience with German localization has proven to be transformative. For example, videos with high-quality German subtitles make viewers feel like you're talking directly to them. That’s the power of genuine multilingual video content for Europe.

3. Spanish

When you hear “Spanish,” you might immediately think of Latin America with its 455 million Spanish speakers. And you are right to consider this direction but don't overlook Spain itself. With a population of 47 million, Spain offers a dynamic and growing YouTube audience. Also, it has one of the highest internet penetration rates in Europe.

Why does Spanish work? It’s because of the massive audience in both Spain and Latin America. Spanish viewers in Europe are not passive watchers, they actively interact, comment, and share. Adding Spanish means embracing one of the popular languages for European localization. Plus, it is the second most used language on YouTube:

Source: BeMultilingual

4. Portuguese

Translating your content to Portuguese means killing two birds with one stone. You’ll establish your presence in both European (Portugal) and Latin American (Brazil) markets. In Portugal, a tight-knit community of 10 million passionate viewers craves native content, while Brazil offers a vast, dynamic audience that’s growing rapidly.

If you’re looking for the languages to target European viewers, Portuguese should be on your list for sure. That’s a market with untapped potential where your content may be one of the few localized options available.

Moreover, Portuguese doesn’t just give you access to these two lucrative regions—it also connects you with millions across the world:

Source: Wikipedia

5. Italian

Italy has a significant YouTube user base of 67 million native speakers.

For creators looking to expand their reach, Italian is one of the best choices for European subtitles for YouTube videos. In January 2023, YouTube ads reached 86.4% of all internet users in Italy, showing the platform's huge reach and effectiveness in the country. When it comes to CPM, Italian advertisers pay $2,700 per million views, ranking third in Europe.

Italian localization results in higher engagement, longer watch times, and a more loyal subscriber base. If you want a tailored translation strategy for your specific type of content, simply contact us at AIR Media-Tech. We’ll help you to choose the most promising languages based on our data and expertise.

The Quick Chat

Let's focus on the essentials. Here’s how you make localization work:

• Look at your data. Which regions are showing promise? Where do you see spikes in viewership? Your numbers will tell you which languages to target first.
• Authentic localization for European audiences means hiring professionals like AIR Translate who know the cultural nuances.
• Your titles, descriptions, and tags in the local language can boost discoverability. This is key when you’re adding subtitles for major European languages.
• Roll out your translations gradually. See what sticks and adjust your strategy.

Localization is about having a conversation with your audience in their language. And when you do it right, the rewards are massive.

Your Next Step

The data is clear—native-language content drives higher engagement, longer watch times, and better revenue. By moving beyond the oversaturated English market and tapping into French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian, you’re opening up new revenue streams.

At AIR Media-Tech, we’ve helped thousands of creators achieve breakthrough growth by localizing their videos. If you’re ready to unlock your true potential, reach out to us. Your audience is waiting—are you ready to speak their language?