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
