Click, buy, drive: How digital technology is transforming expat car ownership in Czechia

Think back to your first car, when that sense of freedom defined where you went, and how far it took you. Today, “smart” cars are driving that independence into a new digital age, where mobility is more convenient, connected, and accessible. 

In Czechia, these innovations are transforming how expats buy, own, and experience cars. From simplified, location-independent purchasing options to built-in English support and real-time updates, industry leaders like Mercedes-Benz are helping drivers settle into local life with less stress. 

Change is coming to Czechia’s roads. More than 50,000 electric cars are now on Czech roads, with the National Clean Mobility Action Plan anticipating 250,000 by 2030 and a million by 2035. And legislation coming into effect in January 2026 will enable “Level 3” autonomous driving in Czechia, in which a computer takes full control in certain standard driving scenarios. 

This shift means more choices and better infrastructure. Electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles now account for almost 11 percent of all new cars sold in the Czech Republic, and as a result, charging points, government incentives, and a growing second-hand electric market are making sustainable driving more realistic than ever.

It's also redefining what it means to own and drive a car abroad, making every aspect of the experience more personal and adaptable for international residents to hit the road. For expats starting a new life here or looking for ways to explore this country they’ve long called home, investing in a vehicle like the Mercedes-Benz CLA means less paperwork, smoother travel between countries, and a car that adapts to their needs.

Through a digital showroom and online configurator, customers can specify the parameters of the type of car they’re looking for, carry out detailed customization to build their dream vehicle (including the CLA), and then check their choices against a list of immediately available similar options. You can calculate monthly payments, view delivery times, and put in a request for your custom car, all at your own pace.

It’s even possible to arrange a test drive through this digital portal. Decisions about such an important purchase no longer have to be made based on a conversation in a physical showroom, eliminating language-barrier issues and enabling those with limited time to personalize their car from the comfort of their home, whether from within the Czech Republic or beyond. For those balancing relocation paperwork, busy work schedules or limited Czech fluency, the ability to handle everything online adds clarity and convenience.

Once purchased, digitally advanced cars like the CLA instantly impact the expat driving experience through connectivity that adapts across borders. Effortless English-language commands, precise route guidance on Czech roads, and a car that stays updated and reliable wherever they travel across Europe makes adapting to life in Czechia even easier.

Take the Mercedes-Benz Operating System (MB.OS), the “brain” of the CLA; it enables faster, more adaptable software development in the car itself. Through connection to the Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Cloud and collaboration with Google and Microsoft, MB.OS automatically updates all software components,  including advanced driving assistance functionalities such as Steering Assist, Speed Limit Assist and Lane Change Assist, which enables a lane change with a single click of the indicator.

For those who travel often within Europe, automatic over-the-air updates keep the vehicle optimized without a visit to a Czech service center. Magnus Östberg, Chief Software Officer at Mercedes-Benz, explains that this “not only makes software development faster, but also allows us to keep nearly every area of the vehicle feeling like new.”

Simply saying “Hey Mercedes” opens a conversation between car and driver through a user interface powered by generative AI. Integrated with ChatGPT4o, Microsoft Bing, and Google Gemini, it offers natural dialogue, intelligent navigation, and even recognizes drivers’ emotions. 

This interactivity boosts the possibilities offered by the state-of-the-art MBUX Entertainment system. The CLA can feature a 14-inch screen for the front passenger, and with an app portfolio boasting Disney+, various other streaming services, and a wide range of additional apps available for download, there’s never a dull moment on the road.

The CLA’s digital capabilities put it at the forefront of the new age of intelligent mobility coming to Czechia. Take for example the MBUX Dashcam, which records footage from the front of the vehicle, including date and time stamps, to enable better documentation of incidents; or MBUX Surround Navigation, which projects real-time, 3D information about surroundings and route guidance onto the central display, giving you all the information you need without needing to take your eyes off the road.

While car makers such as Mercedes continue to innovate, Czechia is still playing catch-up on the trends shaping the roads of tomorrow. Still, the number of electric cars is growing quickly, and there are now over 7,000 public electric charging points in Czechia. 

Even the charging process itself is aided by digitization; apps such as MB.CHARGE from Mercedes-Benz offers easy access and fixed prices at thousands of charging stations across the country, making charging and payment easier in English. For expats, this means fewer barriers and more confidence in choosing an electric vehicle.

The arrival of intelligent cars such as the CLA makes Czech roads of today a test track for the digital mobility of tomorrow. It’s proof that the future of driving will be defined by more personalization, more convenience, and more flexibility to own and drive across borders.