I have never known a scientist from another country, especially one in Europe, who didn't speak at least passable English. For better or for worse, English is pretty much the international language of science. There are few serious journals or professional conferences any more written/held in any other language. Sure, you may have more problems trying to order lunch in a small café somewhere (but even then, if you're in a big city, you'll still probably get by), but as far as scientific dialoging goes, you should be fine.
(And about the being too old to learn a language - come on. If you live somewhere where another language is spoken, you'll learn it in time, no matter how old you are.)