Expats in the Czech Republic: Pros and Cons of Living in the Czech Republic

The Czech Republic is, like any country, a particular culture – but is it for everyone? Figuring out if your few months living in a different country should be in the Czech Republic may be difficult, which is why we put together this short list of pros and cons about living in the Czech Republic as an ex-pat. Pro – affordability Compared to pretty much any other country in the European Union and other Western countries, the Czech Republic is very affordable. The government has a vibrant economy without being too expensive from housing, food, clothes, and more. And this does include the recent rise in prices after the pandemic.

The Czech Republic has attracted more and more visitors partially thanks to its cultural events. In larger cities, you can enjoy everything from opera and ballet to a grimy punk band in a small pub. Sports are similarly popular both in and outside of cities, especially when it comes to hiking in the beautiful countryside of the Czech Republic. It could almost be called a national sport. And if you love watching sports as well, you will find yourself in the heart of football- and hockey-loving communities in no time.

Unlike some countries, which may be affordable and fun, the Czech Republic is also very safe. Violent crimes are rare, there are very few people legally permitted to carry guns, and the police is quick and responsive when something does happen. The most that will happen to you here is pickpocketing or fraud.

It’s no secret that the Czech Republic loves its paperwork. While not as confusing as France or as meticulous as Germany, the slight chaos and often apathy towards requests may drive people insane. What’s worse, the individual offices sometimes do not communicate with one another. One of the most feared interactions for ex-pats is the visit to the Foreign Police, which one has to do right after one’s arrival. Their English is poor, and the paperwork is usually the same as one has submitted for their work permit, and the waiting times are absurd. And once you clear this hurdle, you might not even be done.

While many services in the Czech Republic rival those of its more western neighbours, customer services are inferior. More often than not, you will be left without any help, and any active complaining will be seen as being too needy. You will encounter this anywhere from rude waiting staff to incompetent middle managers and overbooked car mechanics. This is usually just accepted by the locals. It gets pretty frustrating when you complain, and all you get is a shrug.

Many official institutions will make no effort to be nice to you. From doctors, office workers, mail carriers and more, the culture in the Czech Republic is usually cold towards the individual. While this does not mean that the service you’re getting is worse, it certainly takes some getting used to. If you expect to chat with everyone, you might be amazed to meet cold and distant professionals. Don’t worry, though; they will take good care of you.