Some decisions are made overnight - others grow slowly. In my case, it was the latter. The idea of leaving Germany and starting a new chapter abroad has been with me for years. But as life goes, something kept getting in the way: Commitments, projects, personal ties - and last but not least, the comfortable familiarity of what you know. But at some point, the moment comes when you feel it:
Now is the time. Now is the time to act.
Why emigrate at all?
It's not that I despise my country. I grew up in Germany, worked here, paid taxes, took on responsibility - and continue to do so. But as you get older and gain more life experience, you see things differently.
What has increasingly preoccupied me is a combination of several factors:
High tax burden
As a self-employed person, I find myself asking myself more and more often: is it still worth it? The tax burden is enormous - and the perceived value in return gets smaller year after year, which at some point gnaws at the meaning of life and you ask yourself what you're still doing it all for. In the Czech Republic, I have the opportunity to scale my company much better than in Germany.
Social change:
I am observing an increasing narrow-mindedness. Public discourse has become narrower, critical thoughts are often reflexively dismissed. There is little room for nuance, little genuine listening. Instead of dialog, we see the formation of camps. And that is tiring. When people in this country now talk openly about the state tension is spoken - and without contradiction - then I have reached the point where I seriously consider emigration.
Isolation & withdrawal
Everyone just seems to be doing "their own thing" here. I notice that many people are withdrawing - out of fear, because they are overwhelmed or simply because they no longer want to bend themselves into rigid systems.
Why the Czech Republic of all countries?
For me, the Czech Republic is not a place of escape, but a conscious decision. A country that seems pragmatic, clear and down-to-earth to me on many levels. The people seem freer in their minds.
- The tax system is structured more fairly and rewards personal responsibility more than in Germany.
- Less bureaucracy, more clarity - at least from the perspective of a self-employed person.
- And when it comes to social issues, people there are often more sober and less ideological.
What I also like:
The Czech Republic is not far from Germany. If, like me, you have family in Germany, you can be back with your loved ones in just a few hours after a move. This provides security and takes a lot of the anxiety out of the move.
The famous "kick in the ass" that is sometimes needed
As life goes, sometimes it takes an external event to catapult you out of your comfort zone. In my case, it was a Construction site right next to my house was opened in Oldenburg - with concrete dust, noise and chaotic conditions. The measure was full. I felt it was now or never. Now is the time to finally put old ideas into practice.
And so the decision was made to take concrete steps towards emigration in the coming months. The current goal is to make a new start in the Czech Republic - preferably at the beginning of 2026, perhaps even a little earlier.
New Facebook group - public & open for exchange
I recently set up a new Facebook group to sort out my thoughts and talk to others:
👉 "Emigrating to the Czech Republic" - a public group for anyone who has similar plans or simply wants to find out more.
The idea behind it is quite simple:
I am currently in the active planning phase of my emigration and have realized how few central German-speaking contact points there are for this topic - at least for people who are not immediately switching to an international startup in Prague, but are rather looking for a new center of life in a down-to-earth and realistic way. This group is about exactly that:
- Share experiences
- Being able to ask questions without being immediately judged
- Information on locations, apartments, authorities, forms, tripping hazards
And maybe just a few very honest thoughts on personal motivation
🇨🇿 Popular emigration destinations in the Czech Republic - at a glance
Prague (Praha)
The capital and economic hub of the Czech Republic - ideal for anyone who appreciates urban life. Prague offers international schools, modern infrastructure, diverse cultural offerings and a large international community. Disadvantage: high rents and sometimes heavily touristy. Advantage: well suited for jobs, start-ups, expats and digital nomads.
Brno (Brno)
The second largest city in the country, university location and technology hub. Many international companies (e.g. IBM, Red Hat) have branches here. The city is younger, more student-oriented and more relaxed than Prague - with a very pleasant attitude to life. Ideal for digital freelancers, developers or creatives looking for an active but not overcrowded city.
Pilsen (Plzeň)
The fourth largest city in the country, known for its beer, but also for its industry and solid infrastructure. Well connected, lots of shopping opportunities, culturally interesting. But also lots of cars and quite a lot of traffic. Ideal for some - for others (like me) perhaps a little too big or restless.
Liberec
Compact, green city in the north near the German and Polish borders. A good mix of urbanity and nature - perfect for those who want to live quietly but not isolated. Housing is affordable and the cost of living is moderate. Particularly attractive for people who want to live close to the border, but deliberately not in Prague.
Karlovy Vary
Historic spa town with lots of charm, thermal springs and a cultivated atmosphere. Rather quiet, but with good basic services. A very pleasant place for the self-employed, creative people or people in the "second phase of life". Many properties have been renovated, but there are also affordable rental opportunities. A bit old-fashioned - in the best sense of the word.
Ostrava
In the east of the country, formerly an industrial city, now in transition. Plenty of space, affordable living space, slowly increasing modernization. Ideal for people who want to get to know a completely different Czech Republic - off the beaten tourist track, but with potential. Still rather raw and down-to-earth, but that is precisely why it is so appealing to some.
České Budějovice (Budweis)
Famous for its original Budweiser beer, but also a charming, medium-sized town in South Bohemia. Less hectic, very well-kept, with good access to nature (e.g. Lipno reservoir). Attractive for people looking for proximity to Austria or southern Germany.
Teplice
Spa town with interesting German-Czech history. Close to the German border, quiet, somewhat outdated, but with potential. Property prices are low and access to Saxony is easy. An interesting option for those seeking peace and quiet or people on a tight budget.
Ústí nad Labem (Ústí nad Labem)
Not necessarily beautiful in the classic sense, but very cheap and with good connections to Dresden. Definitely worth considering for emigrants who are primarily concerned with costs and proximity to Germany and can keep themselves busy.
Cheb (Eger)
Small border town, close to Hof (Bavaria). Very German in character, low cost of living, many real estate offers. Not a hotspot for city dwellers, but perhaps just right for people who simply want peace and quiet - with a short journey to Germany.
Join in - or simply take a look
The group is public - anyone can find it and read along. If YOU are considering the Czech Republic as a possible country to emigrate to, or if you already live there and would like to share your experiences:
You are very welcome.
You don't have to buy or sell anything, you don't have to have a mission - it's enough if you are honest and are looking for an exchange. I'm sure that exciting contacts and real help will arise through this group - perhaps even for things that you wouldn't have thought of on your own:
Estate agents, tax consultants, language partners, translators, lawyers - or simply people who are already there and know how things work. I would be delighted if something developed from this - not as a project, but as an open space for exchange and orientation.
My stay in Pilsen - nice, but too big for me
Some time ago I was in Pilsen (Plzeň), one of the largest cities in the Czech Republic. And to get straight to the point: I really enjoyed it there. The city seems lively, well-kept, open - with many well-restored old buildings, a functioning infrastructure and a pleasant mix of past and present. Everything you need was there and I had the feeling that it was a good place to live.
But for me personally, Pilsen ended up being too big and too hectic. The city has around 180,000 inhabitants, and you can tell: lots of traffic, lots of cars, a dense rhythm - there is a certain restlessness that I find rather stressful in everyday life. Not dramatic - but enough to make me think.
Better a little smaller and clearer
I'm not a big city person, I prefer a quiet, structured life where I can work, create and feel good - without feeling like I have to fight my way through heavy traffic or noise every day. That's why two cities in particular have stood out for me over time:
Liberec and Karlovy Vary
Both are much smaller, clearer, scenically attractive - and yet not isolated or structurally weak. In my opinion, this is an ideal compromise between tranquillity and accessibility.
The attitude to life in the Czech Republic - like Germany 30 years ago
What particularly touched me in Pilsen and in the Czech Republic in general was the attitude to life. It reminded me a lot of Germany in the 1980s or early 1990s - before everything became more and more synchronized, politicized and standardized. People seemed more relaxed and friendly to me, not as stressed as in Germany.
There is still a certain down-to-earthness, a calm matter-of-factness in everyday life that I found very pleasant. You can tell that people don't live here to prove anything to anyone - but to get on with their everyday lives. There's something reassuring about that.
Cost of living - not as cheap as many think, but fair
A word about costs, as this is a crucial point for many people: food prices are roughly on a par with German prices - at least as far as branded products and supermarkets are concerned. However, if you buy locally and don't pay attention to organic labels, you can definitely get away with it for less.
Energy prices are noticeably lower. This applies to electricity, gas and also district heating - a clear advantage, especially in winter. Fuel prices were significantly cheaper during my stay. I paid around 1.10 euros per liter for super - around 30-40 cents less than what is usual in Germany.
Rents are on average around 10 % below the German level, although this of course depends heavily on location and condition. In cities such as Prague, prices are now comparable to major cities in western Germany. In Liberec or Karlovy Vary, on the other hand, with a little patience you can still find well-preserved apartments at moderate prices.
All in all, I would say that the Czech Republic is not a cheap country - but a country with fair conditions. And that's what matters to me.
I have also considered other countries
Of course, I also looked at other options. Once you start thinking seriously about emigrating, you quickly come up with a whole list of potential countries. My first choice was Cyprus quite high up - both the Republic of Cyprus in the south and the Turkish-influenced north, which is also considered an insider tip in certain circles.
Tax advantages, sunshine, EU connection - it all sounded tempting at first. But the longer I thought about it, the clearer it became: Cyprus is simply too far away. Not just geographically, but also culturally. And: I'm not a beach person. Sounds banal, but that was a real point for me. This idea of sun, palm trees and beaches every day - that's a dream for many people. For me, it's more of a state that wears off after a short time.
I don't need 30 degrees in December. I need clarity, structure - and proximity to reality. Turkey was also briefly on my radar - as a transition country because of the low cost of living. But the political uncertainties, the constant threat of earthquakes and the economic fluctuations made me give it a miss.
I don't want to have to think every day about whether what I'm building will still last tomorrow. And that's how I ended up back in the Czech Republic. A country that has always appealed to me - not only because of the language (which I don't speak at the moment, but am certainly willing to learn), but above all because of the mentality of the people.
Pragmatic, reserved, unagitated. And therefore very close to what I value myself.
Frequently asked questions
- Why do you want to leave Germany at all?
I thought about it for a long time - and in the end it's a mixture of different factors. On the one hand, I feel that the tax burden on the self-employed in Germany is disproportionately high, without you getting any tangible value in return in all areas. Secondly, the social climate has changed: Public discourse has become narrower, many topics can hardly be discussed objectively without being pigeonholed. I long for an environment that is a little calmer, more open and more pragmatic - and the Czech Republic feels that way in many respects. - Why the Czech Republic of all countries?
The Czech Republic is close, stable and pleasantly calm. It offers many advantages: a manageable bureaucracy, a fairly structured tax system, a lower cost of living in some areas - and a certain mental closeness to what I remember from Germany. For me, it feels like Germany in the 80s or 90s: clear, calm, down-to-earth. - Why not Spain, Portugal or Cyprus like many other emigrants?
I thought about all these countries. But a lot of them didn't suit me: Cyprus is too far away and too hot for me, and I'm not a beach person. Spain and Portugal are too touristy for me, and I would probably have to learn Spanish or Portuguese there. I'm not looking for a stage for a new life, but a quiet place where I can work and live - without having to bend all the time. - Have you ever been to the Czech Republic?
Yes, I was in Pilsen - a large city with around 180,000 inhabitants. I liked it, but overall I found it too big, too loud and too hectic. That's why I'm now looking more specifically at smaller cities, such as Liberec or Karlovy Vary, which suit my lifestyle better. - How do you rate the attitude to life in the Czech Republic?
Surprisingly pleasant. I had the feeling that people are less stressed than in Germany. Everything seems a bit more down-to-earth and relaxed - without being backward. It really reminded me of the attitude to life in Germany in the 80s or early 90s. - How do prices in the Czech Republic compare to Germany?
Food is often just as expensive as in Germany - especially branded products. But energy and fuel are much cheaper. For example, I filled up with premium gasoline for around 1.10 euros per liter. Rents are about 10 % lower, at least outside Prague. Overall, I would say: not a cheap country, but a fairly priced country. - What specifically attracts you to Liberec or Karlovy Vary?
Both cities are manageable, well-kept and scenic. Liberec is located in the north near the German border, has a beautiful old town and a solid infrastructure. Karlovy Vary has a completely different character - rather quiet, historic, with spa flair. I can well imagine both because they combine tranquillity and accessibility in a pleasant way. - Do you speak Czech?
Not yet. But I'm prepared to learn the language bit by bit - not least out of respect for the country. However, English or even German is often enough to get me started, especially in regions close to the border or with authorities that are geared towards foreigners. But my website is already in Czech available. - How do you plan to make a living in the Czech Republic?
I am self-employed and work remotely - in the areas of software development (FileMaker), publishing and AI projects, among others. That's why it's not absolutely necessary for me to look for a job on site. However, I need a functioning infrastructure and a certain amount of peace and quiet to work in - and that's exactly what I find there. - How far along are you with your emigration plans?
I'm about to make the concrete leap. I am currently expecting to move on 01.01.2026 - possibly a little earlier. The preparations are underway: Apartment search, formalities, making contacts. At the same time, I'm building up structures to gain a better foothold locally - e.g. via a Facebook group. - Why did you set up a Facebook group?
Because I realized myself how difficult it is to find reliable information about emigrating to the Czech Republic, at least in German. The group should be a platform for exchange and mutual help - for all those who have similar considerations or already live in the Czech Republic. Without advertising, without dogmas - simply a place to ask questions and network. - What can I expect in the "Emigration to the Czech Republic" group?
Honest experience reports, practical tips, discussions at eye level. It's about everyday topics such as finding accommodation, authorities, insurance, cultural differences, but also about personal motivations and strategies. Anyone can read along, ask questions or simply observe - without any obligation. - How do you deal with the topic of the healthcare system?
I am currently researching the Czech health insurance options for foreigners. There are both private and state models, often depending on residence status. Different rules apply for self-employed people resident in the Czech Republic than for cross-border commuters. I will clarify this properly as part of my emigration - and then share the findings in the group. - Are you not afraid of bureaucracy or rejection abroad?
Of course you think about things like that. But I believe that the Czech Republic is a country that treats you with respect if you behave sensibly and don't act arrogantly. From everything I've experienced so far, the bureaucracy there is clearer and more pragmatic than in Germany. And even if there is a hitch - you grow with it. - What do you hope to gain from this step in the long term?
More peace, more personal responsibility, more freedom. I don't want to get rich - I want to lead a life that feels like life again, not like administration, control and constant adaptation. I want to create, write, work - and decide for myself how I want to live. That is my goal. - What do you recommend to others who have similar thoughts?
Start early, be honest with yourself - and don't wait forever. You don't need a "perfect setup" to get started. But you do need an inner decision. And sometimes it helps to talk to others - simply so you don't have to think everything through on your own. That's exactly what my group is for.