In a verbal guise experiment, 178 listeners with three nationalities (58 French, 59 German and 61 Spanish) listened to samples recorded by female speakers with three extents of accentedness (strong/slight accented‐Dutch and native) in English, French, German and Spanish. Findings point out that a strong accent had a disadvantageous effect on comprehension and attitudinal assessments, while a slight accent hardly led to negative effects. A speaker with a strong Dutch accent in English was assessed as less qualified than speakers with a slight or native accent. Speakers with a strong Dutch accent in French, German or Spanish were assessed as less friendly and less qualified than speakers with a native accent.