European Radio Online: UK, Germany, France, Spain and Italy

Europe is full of radio in dozens of languages, and a drive of two hours can change the language on the dial. Online you can skip the drive. You can have a Berlin morning show, a Roman talk station and a Dublin music station all in one afternoon.

Here is how to find your way.

Pick a country page

Each country has its own page with live stations. A few to start with: the UK, Ireland, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands and Poland. More are on the full list of countries, grouped by region.

Radio is a good way to learn a language

If you are learning French, German, Spanish or Italian, a live station is one of the best free tools you will find. Real speakers talk at normal speed and about real things, which is exactly what a textbook cannot give you.

A few tips:

1. Start with news stations. The speech is clear, and you can often guess the topic from what you already know about the day's events.
2. Move on to talk shows once news feels easy. They are faster and more casual.
3. Use music stations for pronunciation. Singing along, even badly, helps.
4. Do not try to understand everything. Aim for the general sense, then pick up one or two new words each session.

Moved to Europe? Find the music from home

People from all over the world live in Europe now. If you want something from back home, the music and language pages are the way in, for example Arabic, Punjabi, Bengali, Persian or Afrobeats. You can listen to home and to your new country in the same week.

Why some stations will not play abroad

A few stations only allow listeners from their own country. This is because of music and sports rights, and it is the station's choice rather than a fault in your device. If you hit one, try another from the same list. Most work everywhere.

Time zones

Most of Europe is an hour or two apart, but travellers get caught out. A "morning show" is only a morning show in its own time zone. If you cannot find the live programme you want, check the clock.

Tell us what is missing

We list stations that play in a web browser. If a favourite station from your country is missing or not working, send us its name. Every month we look at what listeners ask for.

When you are ready, start with your own country, then try a neighbour. It is a cheap and pleasant way to travel.

Questions people ask

Do I need an account? No. An account is only needed to save favourite stations.

Does it work on my phone? Yes, in any modern browser, with nothing to install.