Spanish N.I. Contributions

[BLUENOSE]

Hi one and all
I'm back again to pick your brains if i may.
My wife and children are moving to Spain in 2 weeks time to stay in temporary accomodation due to our completion date being put back. Because of work commitments i won't be out there permanently until July.
My wife won't be working for the first few months but obviously my main concerns are their welfare. I've noticed that it costs a fortune for health cover so i am wondering what is the cheapest way to get them all covered. Can my wife start paying the Spanish equivolent of National Insurance (or stamp) so it would entitle them to free health care? or is there any other way that my family can be covered without costing the earth. I know in the U.K. you can pay your stamp regardless of whether you work or not which will cover you for things such as N.H.S. Is it the same in Spain? We are all making it a permanent move a.s.a.p so we feel it is only right to pay into the system which (hopefully not ) we may need help from.
I have full U.K N.I. contributions but my wife does not.

If anybody has any advice it is greatly appreciated

[CathM]

I am a self emloyed beauty therapist. I pay into the system with regards to myself, hubby and 2 kids. Your best bet is to have a word with your solicitor to see if you can start paying Spanish N.I. It usually works in regards to having a job or being self employed. If not have a word with the department of social security in the U.K. they have reciprical agreements with Spain and if you are upto date with your contributions in the U.K. you could get free treatment over here for upto 2 years. Ring the DHSS in the U.K. to find out where you stand.
Cath

[beastess]

I would argue that private cover costs less than the Spanish NI which is only a necessity if you are working in Spain. Exeter Friendly does really cheap policies for kids on the side of adult policies which covers them for emergencies.

[BLUENOSE]

Thankyou both for your replies

I did look into the policies that Exeter Friendly had and i must admit they were very competitive. As the wife is going to register herself as self-employed i think its best to start paying N.I, although i do see what you are saying beastess.
CathM.. How easy was it to get yourself registered as self-employed? How long did it take? Where does she start? The reason i am asking this is that we have a multi-trip annual travel insurance policy which covers all of us for a max of 90 days per trip so as they will still be classed as U.K. residents for that time we can use them if we need to.

THANKS AGAIN