Moving to Germany from the Czech Republic

Tax Residency and Czech-German Obligations

As a Czech citizen moving to Germany, you become subject to German income tax once you establish tax residency there. Germany treats you as a tax resident if you maintain a dwelling (Wohnsitz) or spend more than six consecutive months in the country ^[1]. Czech Republic will typically stop taxing your employment income once you are no longer resident there, but any Czech-source income (rental property, Czech pensions) may still be taxable in Czech Republic.

Double taxation relief.

Germany and Czech Republic have a bilateral double taxation agreement that assigns taxing rights and provides relief through either exemption or credit methods ^[1]. Employment income is generally taxed only in the country where the work is performed. If you work in Germany for a German employer, Germany taxes that income and Czech Republic exempts it.

Cross-border commuters.

The Czech-German border region has a large commuter corridor. If you live in Czech Republic and commute to work in Germany, Germany taxes your employment income. You file a German tax return and claim your German tax obligations against any Czech liability under the bilateral treaty.

German income tax rates.

Germany uses a progressive tax system with rates rising steeply at higher income levels, plus a solidarity surcharge on the tax itself. Church tax (Kirchensteuer) applies if you register a religious affiliation during your Anmeldung. Register as "konfessionslos" (no religious affiliation) to avoid it.

Czech pension income.

If you receive a Czech pension while living in Germany, the bilateral tax agreement determines which country taxes it. State pensions are typically taxed in the country that pays them (Czech Republic), while private pension income may be taxed in the country of residence (Germany). Verify the treaty article applicable to your specific pension type with a cross-border tax advisor.

Self-employment.

Self-employed individuals registered in Germany pay income tax and trade tax (Gewerbesteuer) on German-source business income. EU social security coordination rules determine which country's social security system you contribute to ^[2].

Healthcare Transition

German mandatory health insurance.

Health insurance is mandatory in Germany. You cannot legally reside there without it. Germany operates two systems: public (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung, GKV) and private (private Krankenversicherung, PKV). Employees earning below the insurance threshold (approximately EUR 69,300/year in 2026) must enroll in public insurance. Those above the threshold can choose either system.

Transferring from Czech public insurance.

As an EU citizen, your Czech health insurance provides temporary coverage in Germany through the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for short stays. For permanent relocation, the EHIC is not sufficient. Once you start employment in Germany, you must enroll in German health insurance. Your employer handles registration with a public insurer (TK, AOK, Barmer, or DAK are the largest).

EU social security coordination.

Under Regulation 883/2004, your insurance periods in Czech Republic count toward benefit eligibility in Germany ^[1]. If you worked and paid into Czech social insurance for several years, those periods transfer and count toward German entitlements. You are covered by one country's system at a time, determined by where you work.

Public insurance costs.

Public health insurance premiums are approximately 14.6% of gross salary, split equally between you and your employer. An additional surcharge (Zusatzbeitrag) of 1-2% varies by insurer. Coverage includes doctor visits, hospital stays, prescription drugs (with EUR 5-10 copays), mental health treatment, maternity care, and rehabilitation. Non-working spouses and children under 25 are covered free through family insurance (Familienversicherung).

Private insurance.

Available to employees above the income threshold and to self-employed individuals. Premiums are based on age and health status at enrollment, not income. Private insurance offers shorter wait times and broader coverage, but premiums rise with age and each family member needs a separate policy. Switching back to public insurance after age 55 is nearly impossible. For most Czech employees moving to Germany, public insurance is the practical choice.

Prescription continuity.

Germany uses different brand names for many medications. Bring documentation from your Czech doctor listing generic names (International Nonproprietary Names) and dosages. Most common medications are available in Germany, though some require a German prescription even if they were available over the counter in Czech Republic.

Right to Work and Residence for EU Citizens

As a Czech citizen, you benefit from EU freedom of movement. You do not need a visa, work permit, or residence permit to live and work in Germany ^[1]. You can enter with a valid Czech passport or national identity card and start working immediately.

Anmeldung (address registration).

Within 14 days of moving into your apartment, you must register your address at the local Burgeramt (citizens' office) ^[1]. You need your passport or Czech ID card, your rental contract, and a landlord confirmation form (Wohnungsgeberbestatigung). The Burgeramt issues a Meldebescheinigung (registration certificate), which you need for opening a bank account, enrolling in health insurance, and registering with the tax office. In cities like Berlin and Munich, Burgeramt appointments can be booked weeks in advance. Book online as soon as you have your apartment.

Tax ID (Steueridentifikationsnummer).

After your Anmeldung, the Bundeszentralamt für Steuern automatically mails you a tax identification number within a few weeks. Your employer needs this number to process payroll correctly. Until it arrives, your employer can request a temporary tax class assignment from the local Finanzamt.

No residence permit required.

Your Czech passport or ID card, combined with the Anmeldung registration, is sufficient proof of your right to live and work in Germany ^[1]. After five years of continuous legal residence, you can apply for a permanent residence certificate (Bescheinigung des Daueraufenthaltsrechts) ^[2].

Professional qualification recognition.

For regulated professions (medicine, nursing, teaching, engineering, law), you must have your Czech qualification recognized in Germany before you can practice. The EU Directive on Professional Qualifications (2005/36/EC) facilitates mutual recognition ^[2]. For unregulated professions, formal recognition is not required but may help with salary negotiations. The anabin database (maintained by the KMK) evaluates foreign academic degrees.

Naturalization.

German citizenship is available after five years of legal residence, B1-level German, passing the naturalization test, and financial self-sufficiency ^[3]. Germany permits dual citizenship, so you would not need to renounce Czech nationality ^[3]. The application costs EUR 255 per adult ^[3].

Banking and Finances

Opening a German bank account.

You need a German bank account for salary deposits, rent payments, and direct debits (Lastschrift). Major banks include Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank, and the local Sparkasse network. Online banks like N26, ING Germany, and DKB offer English-language interfaces and faster onboarding. To open an account, bring your Czech ID card or passport and your Anmeldung confirmation. N26 can be opened with just a passport and a German address.

Schufa credit score.

Germany uses the Schufa credit scoring system. Your Czech credit history does not transfer. You start with no Schufa record, which is treated as neutral. Opening a bank account, getting a phone contract, and paying bills on time build your Schufa profile. Landlords routinely request a Schufa-Auskunft (credit report) from prospective tenants. You can request a free copy once per year from meineschufa.de.

Keeping Czech accounts.

Maintain your Czech bank account for any Czech-source income, pension contributions, or property obligations. Transfers between Czech and German accounts are SEPA payments within the eurozone framework, meaning CZK-to-EUR transfers go through standard SEPA channels, though currency conversion fees apply since Czech Republic uses the koruna (CZK), not the euro. Wise and Revolut offer better exchange rates than traditional banks for recurring CZK-EUR transfers.

Pension portability.

Under EU Regulation 883/2004, your Czech pension contributions count toward benefit eligibility ^[1]. You will not lose Czech pension rights by moving to Germany. When you reach retirement age, you can claim pensions from both countries based on the periods contributed in each. Each country pays a proportional pension based on your contribution history there.

German retirement contributions.

German employees contribute approximately 9.3% of gross salary to the state pension system (Rentenversicherung), with the employer matching 9.3%. These contributions are mandatory. The combined Czech and German pension periods determine your total benefit, coordinated through EU regulations.

Currency considerations.

Czech Republic has not adopted the euro. If you maintain Czech investments or property, the CZK/EUR exchange rate affects your purchasing power. For regular transfers, set up a recurring conversion through Wise or your bank's foreign exchange service.

Moving Logistics

Shipping household goods.

The Czech-German border is short, and road transport is the most practical option. Moving companies operating the Prague-Berlin, Prague-Munich, and Brno-Dresden corridors offer door-to-door service. A standard household move from Prague to Berlin costs significantly less than transatlantic shipping. Get three written quotes and confirm that the company handles any customs formalities (though as an EU move, there are no customs duties on personal belongings).

No customs duties.

Moves between EU member states are free of customs duties and import VAT on personal belongings. You do not need a customs declaration for household goods, furniture, or personal effects. This is a significant advantage over non-EU relocations.

Driving license.

Your Czech driving license is valid in Germany indefinitely. EU driving licenses are mutually recognized and do not require conversion. If your license expires, you renew it through the German Fahrerlaubnisbehorde (driving license authority) with your Czech license, passport, Anmeldung, and a biometric photo.

Vehicle registration.

If you bring your Czech-registered car to Germany, you must re-register it with the local Zulassungsstelle (vehicle registration office) within a defined period of establishing residence. You need the vehicle's Czech registration documents, proof of German insurance (Haftpflichtversicherung), a valid TUV inspection (Hauptuntersuchung), and your Anmeldung confirmation. Czech vehicles that meet EU emissions and safety standards (which they do, as both countries follow EU type-approval regulations) pass the HU inspection without modification.

Apartments.

Finding housing in major German cities is competitive. Vacancy rates in Berlin, Munich, and Frankfurt are below 2%. Landlords request extensive documentation: Schufa-Auskunft, income proof (last three payslips), a letter from your previous landlord confirming no rent arrears (Mietschuldenfreiheitsbescheinigung), and a copy of your ID. For your first months, consider a furnished temporary rental through Wunderflats or HousingAnywhere while you search for a permanent apartment.

Pets.

Dogs and cats traveling within the EU need an EU pet passport, ISO-compliant microchip, and valid rabies vaccination. No quarantine applies for intra-EU pet travel. Germany requires dog owners to register their pet and pay an annual dog tax (Hundesteuer) of EUR 100-200 in most cities. Some breeds are restricted depending on the Bundesland.

Cultural Adjustment

Language.

Czech and German are not mutually intelligible. While many Czechs study German in school, daily life in Germany operates entirely in German. Government offices, landlords, doctors, and most workplaces use German exclusively. You need at least B1 level for permanent residence documentation and B1-B2 for citizenship. Start language preparation before your move if your German is below conversational level.

Workplace culture.

German workplaces are direct and structured. Meetings start on time, feedback is explicit, and hierarchy is respected in most traditional companies. Czech workplace culture shares some of these traits, making the transition smoother than for colleagues from more informal cultures. The standard workweek is 35-40 hours, with 25-30 vacation days per contract. Overtime is less expected than in many other countries.

Sunday closures.

Nearly everything is closed on Sundays, enforced by the Ladenschlussgesetz (shop closing law). Supermarkets, retail shops, and most restaurants outside tourist areas close. Gas stations, train station shops, and some bakeries are exceptions. Plan grocery shopping for Saturday.

Recycling.

Germany has one of the most detailed waste sorting systems in Europe. Your building will have separate bins for paper, organic waste, packaging, glass (sorted by color), and residual waste. Bottles and cans with a Pfand (deposit) symbol must be returned to supermarket machines. Czech Republic also has waste sorting requirements, but Germany's system is more granular and neighbors take compliance seriously.

Bureaucracy.

German bureaucracy is thorough and often paper-based. Many government offices do not accept digital documents. Bring original documents and certified copies. Translations of Czech documents must be done by sworn translators (beeidigte Ubersetzer) in Germany. The process is slower than in Czech Republic for many administrative tasks, but proceeds smoothly if you have the correct paperwork.

Cost of living comparison.

Germany is generally more expensive than Czech Republic, particularly for housing in major cities. Groceries are comparable or slightly higher. Public transportation is well-developed and affordable, with the Deutschlandticket offering nationwide local and regional transit for a monthly fare. Salaries are also higher, so purchasing power depends on your field and city. Munich is the most expensive German city; eastern German cities like Leipzig and Dresden are significantly cheaper and geographically closer to Czech Republic.

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