We're Moving To Europe

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https://www.eleanormayrhofer.com/entreprenuership-in-germany
https://thegermanylist.de/the-germany-expat-business-show-podcast/

What does it really take to start over in a new country and build a business from scratch in Germany?

In this episode, host Casey Kelly sits down with Eleanor Mayrhofer, who moved from the US to Germany on a whim after a friend invited her to start a business. What followed was a crash course in entrepreneurship, networking, visas, language barriers, and cultural integration.

Eleanor shares the realities of navigating German work permits, understanding local business regulations, and building a professional network without speaking fluent German. She explains how a government support program helped her transition into freelancing, breaks down the German public and private healthcare systems, and highlights the power of the vibrant expat community.

Whether you're dreaming of launching a business abroad or simply curious about life as an entrepreneur in Germany, this episode is packed with practical insights and honest lessons from the front lines.

00:00 Joining expat groups vs integrating long term
01:03 Welcome + show intro (Casey’s move to Portugal)
01:34 Meet Eleanor Mayrhofer (US-born marketer in Germany since 1999)
01:59 How Eleanor ended up in Germany (a “big accident”)
03:14 The beer garden moment: “Let’s start a business”
04:24 Reality check: no network, no German, no plan
05:26 First job lead through networking (and visa stress)
06:08 Getting paid under the table while waiting on permits
06:43 Munich’s early web boom and the hiring wave
07:08 Landing at Sapient and finally getting the paperwork sorted
08:11 How timing and luck played a role (tourist visa extensions)
08:45 From corporate stability to going independent
09:15 Why “network is everything” when you start freelancing
10:29 Government support for founders: Gründerzuschuss explained
11:35 Germany’s healthcare: public vs private (what expats should know)
14:36 Being covered in the US: the $100k hospital story
16:11 Sponsor break: We’re Moving to Europe membership community
17:05 Does Germany really support entrepreneurs? Yes and no
17:19 KSK (artists’ social insurance) + freelancer reality math
18:26 Taxes, cash flow, and admin: the bureaucracy challenge
20:12 Choosing English vs German as your business language
20:32 Scaling, niches, and early business mistakes (printables)
21:46 Avoiding extra complexity: why a US LLC backfired
22:18 German business structures (GmbH/UG) + today’s tools/resources
23:30 Biggest upsides of self-employment: autonomy and flexibility
24:31 Advice for newcomers: side hustles, compliance, and pipeline
26:41 Networking culture in Germany (English-friendly ecosystems)
27:51 Startup scenes, meetups, and where connections happen
29:38 Expat community in Munich: evolving beyond the “bubble”
31:38 There’s never been a better time: creators, groups, accelerators
33:27 Eleanor’s podcast + where to find her (Germany List)
34:31 Wrap-up + credits (Producer/Editor: Magdalena Laas)

Production team

Host and Researcher: Casey Kelly – We’re Moving to Europe

Producer and Editor: Magdalena Laas – Unscripted Creatives

Sound library

All the music was composed especially for the We’re Moving to Europe podcast by Sage Barton. Copyright 2025, Sage Barton.

We’re Moving to Europe Substack

We’re Moving to Europe Community

Portugal Taxes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=@WMTEurope

Moving to Portugal as a US citizen? Your biggest surprise might not be the visa, it’s the taxes.
From double taxation myths to retirement income traps, this episode explains what Americans really need to know.

In this episode, Casey Kelly speaks with Pedro Gaudêncio, a chartered accountant and CEO of Portugal Taxes, to break down how the Portuguese tax system works for US expats living in Portugal.

They unpack common misconceptions that often circulate online, explain how the Portugal–US double taxation agreement actually works in practice, and why many Americans misunderstand their tax obligations after moving abroad. Pedro also explains how different types of income are treated, including US retirement income, and what digital nomads and remote workers need to be aware of when becoming tax resident in Portugal.

The conversation also explores tax benefits and incentives for younger expats, why early planning matters, and why working with qualified tax professionals is essential for staying compliant with both US and Portuguese tax authorities.

Whether you are planning a move to Portugal, already living there, or researching US expat tax planning, this episode offers clear, practical insight to help you avoid costly mistakes.

00:00 – The tax mistake that shocks most Americans in Portugal
01:13 – The tax expert Americans wish they’d talked to sooner
04:26 – Why the US makes expat taxes so much harder
05:52 – The biggest tax myths Americans believe about Portugal
06:45 – Selling a US home? Here’s the Portugal tax trap
09:04 – Will you really be taxed twice?
13:56 – Two tax strategies every US expat should understand
15:58 – Why Google gives terrible tax advice for expats
19:38 – How Portugal taxes Social Security and 401(k)s
23:16 – Digital nomads: where your income is really taxed
26:24 – “They won’t know I’m abroad” is a risky bet
28:39 – Hidden tax perks for younger expats (NHR 2.0)

Production team

Host and Researcher: Casey Kelly – We’re Moving to Europe

Producer and Editor: Magdalena Laas – Unscripted Creatives

Sound library

All the music was composed especially for the We’re Moving to Europe podcast by Sage Barton. Copyright 2025, Sage Barton.

We’re Moving to Europe Substack

We’re Moving to Europe Community

Cornerstone Health

RJ Pesigan on LinkedIn

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=@WMTEurope

American physician Dr. RJ Pesigan joins We’re Moving to Europe to explain how the Dutch healthcare system really works. From finding a GP and getting insurance to understanding cultural differences, medications, and trans-inclusive care, this episode helps expats navigate healthcare in the Netherlands with confidence.

00:00 Dutch directness and healthcare culture
01:00 Welcome to We’re Moving to Europe
01:30 Meet Dr. RJ Pesigan, founder of Cornerstone Health
01:55 Moving to the Netherlands during COVID
03:00 From medicine to MBA to entrepreneurship
04:00 Understanding Dutch vs US healthcare systems
06:20 Cultural differences in doctor-patient communication
07:20 How to prepare for a GP visit in the Netherlands
08:47 Appeals and patient rights
09:50 Self-care and ownership in Dutch healthcare
11:20 Preventive healthcare and checkups
12:30 How to register with a Dutch GP and pharmacy
14:40 Health insurance requirements for expats
15:10 Membership community: We’re Moving to Europe
16:03 Medication availability (e.g., Adderall) and records
18:02 Access to transgender healthcare in the Netherlands
20:47 Managing chronic conditions as an expat
22:00 Bringing and digitizing your medical records
22:40 Budgeting for medications and transition period
23:30 Finding expat-friendly healthcare professionals
24:10 Vision, dental, and alternative care coverage
25:06 Closing and credits

Production team

Host and Researcher: Casey Kelly – We’re Moving to Europe

Producer and Editor: Magdalena Laas – Unscripted Creatives

Sound library

All the music was composed especially for the We’re Moving to Europe podcast by Sage Barton. Copyright 2025, Sage Barton.