Which non-english speaking countries in the European Union are challenging for English speaking tourists?

[Microquisa]

In other words, which EU countries don't have that many locals that understand English.

[Truffle_Rain]

It would have to be the following:

1. Spain

You can communicate with most hotel workers, airport staff or staff at the tourist information office for sure. However, there probably won't be much luck if you try to speak English towards everyone else. Younger generations will most likely understand. If you are looking for big tourist cities, try Barcelona and Madrid.

2. Italy

Most people outside the hotels and airports will unlikely respond to you in English unless you say a few words in Italian at the start and then switch to English. This is because when most of them chose to learn English in school, they did not receive instruction in English at all. Thus, there was barely any chance for them to practice.

3. France

It is important to note that many locals in France are proud of their language. You should definitely learn a few words because that will help you prove that you are interested in their culture. If you just speak English, some people will think that you are really rude to them. You don't have to speak entirely French but if you say a few words like "Bonjour" or "Bonsoir", you will probably get a better response. If you travel outside of Paris, most people will probably not understand English at all.

4. Romania

You may run into some people from Romania who are working in other European countries and could speak English. Despite that, the rest of them aren't really that good with English. It is more likely to get through with English inside of top tourist destinations like Bucharest. But if your looking to visit other areas, then take caution as you will probably need a dictionary to help you get around.

[Suburbia_Wizard]

Hungary is a challenging destination for sure. I've visited there for tourism once and I tried to ask for directions to places. Not one local outside the hotel understood what I said. So unless you ask the hotel staff, you will probably be lost.

Most locals in Spain or Italy are also hesitant about speaking English, especially taxi drivers, restaurant staff and bus drivers. If you approach them with a few words in their native language and then switch to English, some of them will more likely help you. But like I said, not all of them will understand you. Both countries have poor language systems inside of schools and not every person has a chance to communicate in English. A great extent of them would probably rather read a text in English than actually have to speak it.

[MTC29]

I'm going to parrot @Suburbia_Wizard and say Hungary. Their language is unlike any of the other EU nations.

Even so, I've managed to get around the world fairly well with limited foreign language skills.

[KiingOcto]

Italy is definitely a tough place. A lot of people either don't have any chance to speak the language or just refuse to speak it. I once visited a restaurant in Italy and some of the staff were really rude to me because I spoke English to them. They purposely tried to make me wait much longer than those who spoke Italian to the staff. However, when I complained to the staff, I ran into someone who was happy to serve me in English and they let me in. Really disappointed about some of their staff.

[Avicenna]

Anyone who works in the tourist industry in Europe will speak English and usually other languages as well- it's expected of them since they get tourists from multiple countries.

[PlanetBrussel]

Spain, Bulgaria, Slovakia and Italy