Useful Resources:

We’re Moving to Europe Substack

We’re Moving to Europe Community

https://serenity-portugal.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-averbukh-md-mha-7b935a44/

Episode Description

Thinking about moving to Portugal and wondering how healthcare works? In this episode of We’re Moving to Europe, host Casey Kelly talks with Dr. Michael Averbukh, CEO and Managing Partner at Serenity, a healthcare concierge service for expats and immigrants in Portugal. They discuss how Portugal’s public and private systems compare to the US, what Americans should prepare for, managing medications, navigating bureaucracy, and access to care for trans people.

Whether you’re planning a relocation or already settling in, this conversation will help you understand how to prepare for your medical needs and make the most of Portugal’s healthcare system.

0:00 Introduction & guest intro

1:30 Dr. Averbukh’s journey to Portugal

2:55 Founding Serenity and its mission

4:24 Comparing US and Portuguese healthcare

6:19 Public vs private systems explained

9:20 Insurance and access differences

12:07 Medication availability & preparation

14:10 Navigating Portugal’s healthcare bureaucracy

19:15 Healthcare access for trans people

22:03 Tips for preparing medical care before moving

27:10 How to manage care after arrival

35:24 Final advice: Be prepared

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.

B-Roll
Additional royalty-free footage curated via Pixabay and Pexels

Useful Resources:

We’re Moving to Europe Substack

We’re Moving to Europe Community

BNC Tax & Accounting

Christie DuChateau - LinkedIn

Episode Description
Thinking about moving to Europe? Dutch tax expert Christie DuChateau joins host Casey Kelly to explain what Americans really need to know about international taxes, salaries, and retirement planning abroad. Learn how double taxation actually works, what benefits your Dutch taxes cover, and how to prepare your finances before relocating.

[00:00] Casey opens the episode and introduces today’s topic on expat taxes
[01:00] Christie shares her background and how BNC Tax & Accounting began
[03:30] Breaking down misconceptions about double taxation for Americans overseas
[05:30] Comparing European and U.S. income levels and effective tax rates
[07:45] Understanding what European taxes cover, from healthcare to family leave
[10:00] How pensions, 401(k)s, and Social Security are treated across borders
[13:00] How expats can e-file, use software, or work with a tax professional
[15:30] The “three pillars” of retirement and smart cross-border investment options
[21:45] Why U.S. business entities are treated differently in Europe
[26:30] How far in advance to prepare for visas, housing, and finances
[28:45] Cost-of-living differences, culture shifts, and spending habits
[31:30] Christie’s final advice, plus where to find more information

Sound library

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

B-Roll

Additional royalty-free footage curated via Pixabay and FreePik

PROMOTION

Because you're a We're Moving to Europe listener, you can get 15% off Marisa's pet travel planner or concierge services at Paws Abroad. Enter the code WMTE when you check out at https://www.pawsabroad.co/. (I'll receive an affiliate commission if you make a purchase with this code.)

Episode Description

Bringing your pets along when you move abroad can feel overwhelming. Between airline rules, health certificates, and crate training, it’s easy to feel stressed about international pet relocation. On this episode of the We’re Moving to Europe podcast, Paws Abroad founder Marisa Hoskins shares her recommendations for planning your move with pets, how to make the journey easier for both you and them, and why you may have more – and better – options than you think.

Quote

“Don’t wait till the bitter end. Sign up three to six months in advance, so we can help you plan. That’s how you avoid quarantine, paperwork issues, and stress for both you and your pet.”

Useful Resources
We’re Moving to Europe Substack

We’re Moving to Europe Community

Paws Abroad

• (00:00) - Meet Annie, the Portuguese Podengo
• (00:48) - Welcome to We’re Moving to Europe
• (00:21) - Guest intro: Marisa Hoskins, founder of Paws Abroad
• (00:56) - Marisa’s first experience with international pet travel
• (00:14) - Launching her first pet company
• (00:32) - Why she built Paws Abroad
• (00:18) - The Pet Travel Planner explained
• (00:05) - Growing community & concierge services
• (00:20) - Myths about pet quarantine and cargo travel
• (00:01) - Paperwork, health certificates, and safe cargo travel
• (00:32) - Why planning 3–6 months ahead matters
• (00:29) - Common mistakes: carriers, bookings, breed restrictions
• (00:08) - Personalized support & peace of mind
• (00:46) - Other travel options: charters, cruises, new airline rules
• (00:18) - About the We’re Moving to Europe community
• (00:37) - Food & medication planning for pets
• (00:28) - Traveling with multiple pets & airline restrictions
• (00:15) - Best timing: why 6 months is ideal
• (00:26) - Advice for people worried it’s “too stressful”
• (00:36) - Free guide & final tips
• (00:41) - Community discount & contact info
• (00:28) - Wrap up & credits

[00:48] Welcome to We’re Moving to Europe

[01:21] Guest intro: Marisa Hoskins, founder of Paws Abroad

[01:56] Marisa’s first experience with international pet travel

[03:14] Launching her first pet company

[04:32] Why she built Paws Abroad

[05:18] The Pet Travel Planner explained
[06:05] Growing community & concierge services

[07:20] Myths about pet quarantine and cargo travel

[09:01] Paperwork, health certificates, and safe cargo travel
[10:32] Why planning 3–6 months ahead matters

[11:29] Common mistakes: carriers, bookings, breed restrictions

[13:08] Personalized support & peace of mind

[14:46] Other travel options: charters, cruises, new airline rules

[16:18] About the We’re Moving to Europe community

[17:37] Food & medication planning for pets

[20:28] Traveling with multiple pets & airline restrictions

[22:15] Best timing: why 6 months is ideal

[25:26] Advice for people worried it’s “too stressful”

[26:36] Free guide & final tips

[27:41] Community discount & contact info

[28:28] Wrap up & 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.

B-Roll

Additional royalty-free footage curated via Pexels