When people think about foreigners living in the Czech Republic, Prague usually comes to mind first. But today, international residents are an important part of communities across the entire country.
According to the Czech Statistical Office, more than one million foreign nationals now live in the Czech Republic, representing people from over 180 countries. While they come from different cultures and speak many different languages, English has become the common language for a large part of the international community.
For Czech service providers, this represents a growing customer base.
But attracting expat customers isn't simply about speaking English.
It's about understanding who they are, what challenges they face, and what makes them trust someone with their home, family or business.
Key Takeaways
- More than one million foreign nationals from over 180 countries live in the Czech Republic (Czech Statistical Office), and English is the common language for a large part of them
- Many expats are not looking for the cheapest option. They are looking for transparency, clear communication and someone they can rely on
- Providers on Tool Connect don't need to speak or write English: profiles and conversations are translated automatically in both directions
- Trust wins more than today's job. One disappointed customer tells friends, colleagues and other expats
Expats are helping shape today's Czech Republic
Foreign residents are no longer just temporary visitors or tourists.
They are software engineers, doctors, nurses, researchers, architects, entrepreneurs, teachers, construction workers, factory employees and thousands of other professionals who help keep the Czech economy moving.
They pay taxes, contribute to the healthcare and social security systems, create businesses, employ local people and help fill labour shortages in sectors where Czech companies have struggled to recruit enough workers for years.
Many industries, from manufacturing and healthcare to IT and hospitality, would find it difficult to operate without international workers.
In many ways, foreigners have become an integral part of modern Czech society.
Yet many still face one surprisingly simple problem
Finding a trustworthy plumber. Or an electrician. Or someone to repair a washing machine.
For many Czech citizens, finding a reliable tradesperson is often as simple as asking a neighbour or a family member for a recommendation.
Expats rarely have that luxury.
Instead, they turn to Google, Facebook groups, online reviews and recommendations from other foreigners. Every new provider is a leap of faith.
"Why don't they just learn Czech?"
It's a question many foreigners hear, and one that's often misunderstood.
Many expats living in the Czech Republic don't speak only one foreign language.
In fact, it's very common for them to speak two, three and even more.
So why is Czech still so difficult for them to learn?
Because learning a language as an adult is very different from learning one as a child.
Imagine working full-time, raising children, managing everyday responsibilities and then trying to learn one of Europe's more grammatically complex languages in your spare time.
Many foreigners spend years attending Czech language courses. They practise regularly.
They genuinely want to integrate. Yet they still don't feel confident enough to explain a leaking pipe, discuss an electrical problem or call a service provider on the phone.
Many expats describe feeling embarrassed for not speaking Czech very well. They worry about not understanding everything, saying something incorrectly or being judged because of their accent or vocabulary.
As a result, many avoid situations that require complicated conversations altogether.
For them, calling a plumber isn't just arranging a repair. It's a stressful language exercise.
The frustrations many expats experience
Every expat's story is different, but many share similar concerns when hiring local service providers.
"Am I paying a fair price?"
One of the biggest misconceptions is that foreigners are happy to pay more.
In reality, most expats simply want to know that they're paying a fair price.
Many expats don't know what services typically cost in the Czech Republic, making it difficult to judge whether a quote is reasonable.
They're usually not looking for the cheapest option. They're looking for transparency.
If there's a travel fee, explain it.
If there's a minimum call-out charge, mention it before arriving.
Customers rarely object to paying professionals fairly.
Unexpected surprises are what damage trust.
"Can we actually understand each other?"
Communication doesn't have to be perfect. It just has to be clear.
One of Tool Connect's biggest advantages is that providers don't need to speak or write English.
Profiles are automatically translated, and conversations inside the app are translated as well.
That means Czech service providers can communicate naturally while customers read everything in English, making it easier for both sides to understand one another.
"Can I trust this person?"
For expats, trust is often more valuable than finding the cheapest provider.
A complete profile, real photos of previous work, transparent pricing, reviews and clear communication all reduce uncertainty before the first conversation even begins.
A Lesson I'll Never Forget (Laura's Story)
About ten years ago, the kitchen tap in my apartment broke. I bought a new one and decided to install it myself.
After spending several hours watching YouTube tutorials, I managed almost everything except the final step. I couldn't tighten the tap properly because there wasn't enough space underneath the sink, and I didn't have the specialised tool needed to reach the screws.
Frustrated, I gave up and started calling plumbers I found on Google. I wanted to be sure it is installed properly by someone who knows what they're doing.
After many phone calls, I finally found one who spoke a bit of English and he agreed to come the very same day. I felt very lucky and grateful.
Few hours later, he arrived, crawled under the sink, tightened the fitting, and finished in less than five minutes.
Then he handed me the bill. 1,500 CZK.
I politely told him that, considering that the repair itself took only a few minutes, it felt very expensive.
He looked at me and replied: "What about my time to come here?"
I didn't know what that means, I didn't know what a normal price for this type of job was. I didn't know whether I was being charged fairly or not. So I paid.
The next day, I mentioned it to several Czech colleagues at work. They laughed and told me: what else did he do for that money?
I felt frustrated and taken advantage of. Since then I am very cautious when hiring someone. Few years later I needed a plumber again. I didn't call him. And I never recommended him to anyone.
Conclusion
Expats don't expect services to be cheap. They expect them to be fair.
They understand that professionals deserve to be paid for their skills, experience and time. But they also want transparent pricing and the confidence that they are being treated the same way any local customer would be.
Once trust is lost, it is incredibly difficult to earn back.
And one disappointed customer rarely stays just one disappointed customer: they tell friends, colleagues and other expats about their experience.
Trust doesn't only win today's job. It wins tomorrow's recommendation.