The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) issued a ruling on Wednesday clarifying that a member state within the European Union can require the use of its official language in higher education to protect the national identity of EU countries. This requirement must be proportional and accompanied by clearly defined exceptions. In plain terms, the court affirmed that preserving a country’s linguistic heritage in universities is legitimate as long as the measures are necessary and measured, avoiding overreach and ensuring fair access.
In its ruling, the CJEU signals that such language safeguards are compatible with EU law when they are designed to support the official state language and, at the same time, do not unduly restrict the free movement of education across the Union. The decision emphasizes that language restrictions should primarily serve the purpose of strengthening national identity through education rather than creating blanket barriers for learners or institutions seeking to operate across borders. The court underscores that proportionality is a key test: any limitation on linguistic diversity in higher education must be calibrated to the goal of preserving the official language without unnecessarily impeding academic opportunity.
For Latvia, the decision centers on a case involving a private university planning to establish a presence in the country and to offer instruction in a language other than Latvian in certain contexts. The Luxembourg-based adjudication clarifies that while the preservation of the Latvian language is a legitimate objective, it must be pursued without exceeding what is essential to achieve that aim. In practical terms, this means that policies should allow some use of alternative languages in university education when necessary to support specific goals, provided those exceptions are carefully limited and justified.
Regarding the scope of restriction, the CJEU notes that language-imposed limits cannot surpass the degree required to fulfill the pursued objective. The ruling implies that educational institutions may still provide content in languages other than Latvian in areas where it is essential to maintain international cooperation, diplomatic engagement, or cross-border academic collaboration. This approach helps balance the protection of a national language with the benefits of multilingual education and international exchange.
With respect to exceptions, the Court allows for the use of languages other than Latvian in particular circumstances. These include training activities conducted within European or international cooperation, specialized training programs, and activities connected to culture and language. The decision highlights that such exceptions should be framed to support broader European cooperation while ensuring that the official language remains the cornerstone of higher education in Latvia. In practice, this means universities can engage in targeted programs that foster international partnership and cultural exchange without undermining the prominence of Latvian in the core curricula.