Where German Is Spoken in Belgium: The East Cantons

German is spoken in Belgium's East Cantons (Ostkantone), officially known as the German-speaking Community of Belgium (Deutschsprachige Gemeinschaft Belgiens / DG).

Geography & Demographics

Historical Background

• 1815: Congress of Vienna → Prussian Rhine Province.
• 1920: Treaty of Versailles → ceded to Belgium (Eupen-Malmedy).
• 1940–44: Re-annexed by Nazi Germany.
• 1945: Returned to Belgium; autonomy movements grow.
• 1970s–90s: State reforms → cultural autonomy (1970), executive (1983), legislative (1993).

Language Status

• Official language: German (sole official language of the DG).
• Education: German-medium schools; French taught as first foreign language.
• Media: Grenz-Echo (daily newspaper), BRF (radio/TV), online portals.
• Recognition: One of Belgium's three constitutionally recognized Communities (with Flemish & French).

Daily Life

• Bilingual signage (German/French) on roads, public buildings.
• Cross-border commuting to Aachen (Germany) common.
• Distinct dialect: Ripuarian (Moselle Franconian) variants; Standard German used formally.
• Cultural festivals: Carnival (Karneval), Kirmes, St. Martin's processions.

Not to Be Confused With

• Flemish Region: Dutch-speaking (Flanders).
• Walloon Region: French-speaking (Wallonia) — DG is within Wallonia but autonomous.
• Brussels-Capital: Bilingual FR/NL.

The East Cantons are a small but vibrant German-speaking enclave—Belgium's "third community" with full cultural autonomy, nestled in the Ardennes hills where German, French, and Luxembourgish meet.