Why Are Czechs Hostile to Expats? Only Kuwait and Austria Rank Worse

A recent comprehensive study of 53 countries has revealed that the Czech Republic is one of the least welcoming places for expats globally.

Foreigners cite a lack of tolerance among Czechs as a major issue, compounded by rigid authorities and a difficult language. But is the situation truly as bleak as it seems, or is there more to the story?

The Expat Insider 2024 report, conducted by the InterNations community, which connects expats across 420 cities worldwide, evaluated various aspects of life abroad across five indices. These included factors such as Ease of Settlement, Quality of Life, and Essentials for Expats’ Lives.

InterNations surveyed over 10,000 expats, ranging from young professionals to retirees, from diverse socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. The goal was to gather their perspectives on life in their host countries.

This year, the Czech Republic was ranked as the 15th worst country for expats. This marks a dramatic drop of 18 places from the previous year.

According to InterNations, the Czech Republic is the seventh most difficult country for expats to settle in. The country performed particularly poorly in terms of cultural acceptance and how welcomed expats feel.

Out of the 53 countries surveyed, the Czech Republic ranked 47th in both of these categories. Below-average scores in Housing, Digital Life, and Administrative Tasks contributed to the Czech Republic being the fifth most challenging country overall for expats to settle in.

A significant concern is the perceived unfriendliness of locals. According to InterNations, the Czech Republic is the third least friendly country surveyed, surpassed only by Austria and Kuwait in terms of native hostility. Making friends here also proves difficult, with the Czech Republic ranking 40th out of 53 countries in this regard.

Language: The Biggest Barrier

Language appears to be the most significant challenge for expats. InterNations found that the Czech Republic is the second most difficult country in the world for expats to learn the local language, with only Hungarian being more challenging. Furthermore, living in the Czech Republic without knowing the language is particularly tough.

A Good Place to Work with Excellent Transport

Despite these challenges, the study found areas where the Czech Republic performed well. The country ranked 15th in the Index of Culture and Satisfaction with Work and 16th in the Work and Leisure category.

It also achieved a commendable 16th place out of 53 countries in Career Opportunities, surpassing countries like Singapore, Germany, and Switzerland. Overall, the Czech Republic was ranked as the 15th best country in the world for working life.

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