Moving to Germany can feel overwhelming — even for people who arrive well-prepared. Beyond visas, apartments, and jobs, there is a dense layer of unspoken rules: how things are done, what is expected, and what can quietly go wrong if you misunderstand the system.

In a Plus Forty-Nine conversation, Jen and Yvonne, the founders of Simple Germany, talk about why settling into life here is often harder than people expect — and how clear information and imperfect language can make all the difference.

Turning Confusion Into Confidence

Simple Germany was founded in 2020 with a clear mission: to empower internationals who are moving to Germany, or who have recently arrived, to navigate daily life with more confidence.

Rather than focusing only on visas or formal requirements, Jen and Yvonne address the questions that newcomers often feel embarrassed to ask:

What do I need to do first?

• Why does everyone seem to know rules I was never told?
• What is considered normal — or rude — here?
• Their approach is intentionally practical. Step-by-step guides, plain language explanations, and realistic expectations replace vague advice and bureaucratic jargon.
• Where Do You Even Start?

According to Yvonne, the biggest challenge for newcomers is not a single form or appointment, but the feeling of being hit by everything at once.

In an ideal scenario, she explains, people arrive with:

• a clear reason for being in Germany (work, studies, family)
• temporary housing that allows registration
• time to deal with Anmeldung first — the key that unlocks many other processes

From there, life slowly becomes more manageable: starting work, learning the neighbourhood, understanding public transport, and building routines. Only after that first wave does space open up to think about long-term plans and belonging.

The Language Trap: Waiting to Be „Good Enough“

One of the most striking moments in the conversation comes when Jen reflects on her relationship with the German language.

For years, she avoided speaking German because she felt it wasn’t good enough. Like many internationals, she waited for fluency before using it — and in doing so, delayed a deeper connection to the country.

Only later did she realise that speaking imperfect German was the real turning point. It wasn’t about grammar, but about access:

• understanding tone and humour
• grasping social nuance
• feeling included rather than standing outside conversations
• Her insight is simple, but powerful: waiting for perfection can cost you years.

What Simple Germany Offers

At its core, Simple Germany acts as a central hub for internationals navigating life in Germany.

On the website, readers find practical guides on:

• registration and bureaucracy
• health insurance and taxes
• housing, utilities, and contracts
• banking, internet, and everyday logistics

Beyond that, their YouTube and Instagram channels add a human layer — personal stories about identity, belonging, burnout, and building a life abroad. This mix of structure and vulnerability is what makes the platform resonate with so many people.

Why This Matters

Germany is not an easy country to decode, especially without the language or a support network. What Simple Germany offers is not just information, but reassurance: you are not failing — the system is complex.

By breaking things down, naming the unspoken rules, and encouraging people to start where they are, Jen and Yvonne help newcomers move from survival mode to participation.

And that, ultimately, is what integration really looks like.

Listen to the full Plus Forty-Nine interview with Jen and Yvonne to hear more about Simple Germany, language confidence, and what it takes to make Germany feel like home.