Health Insurance

[Robbo]

I actually think it is a sensible idea. Put the shoe on the other foot & any government will screw you for every tax/penalty/charge possible, why not even the score as much as you can !!

I wouldn't go that far but after paying NI all those years we simply expect to get something back.

Common misconception, NI has nothing to do with funding the NHS other than being part of the general taxation pot that does fund it.

[Emmi Smith]

Tom states   they will not be permanent residents, so I am assuming they do not have "residencia". Therefore they could not go the S1 route. Perhaps a good travel insurance including good health cover for their individual trips would be the answer.?

[Archer]

Tom, if your stays are in smaller durations, that total up to 6mths, then Aviva offer travel insurance cover up to 120 days per trip. If you have other policies with them, you are entitled to some discount as well.
Will this work for you?

[TrickyFox]

As a pensioner who has taken S1 I can still access the NHS in the UK should I wish to do so - it is enshrined in the Withdrawl Agreement.
With regards to residency, obviously anyone who stays here for over 90 in any 180 period (not necessarily consecutively) should get residency (Schengen rules). Obviously whilst we were in the EU this was never enforced - next year who knows?

[classic]

Convenio Especial
Sorry Guys, I totally forgot to give an update!
I used Miguel from 'The Boxx' to assist with the paperwork - it wasn't difficult, I just have an aversion to anything legal and its so easy to put something in the wrong 'box' on a form.
We went to central salud and filled in a form - all my details including signing that I was not receiving health care anywhere else. They sent the form off, and a couple of weeks later a letter came back saying I had been accepted. There was then another letter from the hospital here where we needed to go and sign more paperwork & I was given my health number and doctor.
About 2 months later an envelope arrived with invoices in that have to be paid at the bank (I've no idea why it can't be by direct debit - but apparently not!)  60 euros a month - invoices arrive in batches of 6 at a time. 
Luckily I haven't needed to use the doctor yet, but if I go on line with my number I can access the doctors and make an appointment - so all appears to be in order.