Work is how I got in. The IT sector gives you a fair bit of mobility as a worker, an EU blue card can be obtained without a degree (but with relevant experience) if you have a company sponsor you over.

Get a job that will help you immigrate. My company hired a third party to handle most of my paper work. I still had to get apostille for everything, but then they did most of the visa work. They also paid for relocation.

The language thing can be isolating but it also drives you to learn.

Of course. But learning a language as an adult is a huge challenge. I take lessons but it's slow progress, people aren't always understanding when you stumble or don't know words and I'm juggling full time professional work on top of it so time and mental energy are limited.

Even after years of practice I will never not sound like a foreigner, which is distancing.

In tech, is there really a need, though? All of this year's new hires I've met communicate exclusively in English. No-one cares.