Retiring from the UK to the Czech Republic

Leaving Bedford for the retirement we had planned

Retiring in Czech Republic was always the end plan for my wife and me. My wife is Czech, so moving here was not a sudden decision. It was where we intended to be once I retired.

A big factor for me was the situation in the UK. I felt the cost of living had gone through the roof, while the pension was not a liveable amount. In Czech Republic, I estimate our cost of living to be approximately one third of what it was in the UK. Even holidays can be cheaper for us when flying from Praha.

I have retired 12 years early, so this move was about much more than transporting our belongings. I also had to think about whether my money would last and how life would work financially over the longer term.

How I chose JUDO Trans after comparing moving companies

I spent a lot of time researching before choosing a mover. I read lots of reviews and carried out many online searches through Sirelo and Facebook.

From that research, I came up with a shortlist of about four companies that were showing what I considered a reasonable price. I eventually chose JUDO Trans Cekak for our household removal from Bedford to Pribram.

The move itself went so well that I would not hesitate to use the company again.

Paperwork, money and language were bigger concerns than the boxes

The things I was most nervous about were not really dramatic moving problems. They were the practical changes that can take time to settle into.

Czech paperwork is complicated, particularly residency, healthcare, tax matters, insurance and registering with local authorities. I have learned that I need to keep copies of everything.

Language is probably my biggest practical challenge. My wife speaks Czech, but I do not. Dealing with official documents, tradespeople, banks and services can be frustrating when I do not understand the language, and I find Czech very difficult to learn.

Healthcare was another area I thought about carefully. I had been given a clean bill of health before moving, but I still needed to make sure I understood how my healthcare cover would work as a UK retiree living in Czechia rather than assuming my UK arrangements would automatically transfer.

Finances also needed thought because I retired 12 years early. I need a good system for receiving my UK pension, transferring money into Czech koruna and understanding my tax obligations in both countries.

On the personal side, isolation was probably my biggest concern. Moving away from familiar friends, routines and surroundings can hit harder than expected.

From the removal lorry to an early flight

Once the lorry had left my property, I headed to the Radisson Blu hotel for the night. I wanted an early night because I had an early morning flight ahead of me.

There was a real sense at that point that the physical part of leaving was done and that the next stage was beginning.

What Went Well

• The overall move went very well for me.
• I would not hesitate to use the moving company again.
• The moving company handled the customs paperwork side of the move.
• After the lorry left, I was able to head to my hotel before my early flight.

What Didn’t Go as Expected

• My biggest worries were really about what came after the move, particularly paperwork, healthcare, tax and insurance.
• Not speaking Czech makes official documents and everyday services more difficult for me.
• Retiring 12 years early means I still have to think carefully about budgeting and whether my money will last.
• Moving away from familiar friends, routines and surroundings has made isolation something I am conscious of.

Arriving in Pribram and feeling at home immediately

My first impression was simple: I love it here.

I like the cost of living, I have found the people very friendly, and I enjoy the weather. Across the road from our house are endless forests, where you can walk for hours.

Most importantly, it felt like home immediately. My wife is from Czech Republic, and retiring here was always our end plan, so arriving did not feel like trying to make somewhere unfamiliar become home.

It felt like we had reached the place we had been planning to live.

Every day now feels like a Saturday

Settling in has brought a completely different pace of life.

That feeling of pure relaxation is on the horizon, once everything is finally unboxed and hung on the walls.

There are still ordinary jobs to finish. There is also a wine rack to fill for cosy nights around the log burner during the cold winters.

More than anything, there is a feeling of relief that the relocation itself is behind us. Now we can start enjoying life in a new country, with travel and fun times ahead.

I have strong feelings about leaving the UK. For me, it is not the country it used to be. I felt increasingly frustrated by the government, the cost of living and what I saw as a constant financial burden on working people. Those feelings were part of why retirement abroad made sense to me.

What I would organise before relocating to Czech Republic

For me, being organised with documents is one of the most important parts of a move like this. There are several things I would make sure were ready before leaving.

Reaching the life we had always planned

Moving from Bedford to Pribram was not only about transporting a complete household. For me, it meant retiring early, leaving behind familiar routines and dealing with questions about language, money, healthcare and paperwork. At the same time, it brought my wife and me to the place where we had always planned to settle. Once the boxes are unpacked and everything is on the walls, I can concentrate on the part I had been looking forward to: enjoying retirement, travelling, filling the wine rack and getting used to the fact that every day now feels like a Saturday.