Originally Posted by scampicat (Post 8442068)

If you are self-employed in the UK, the NI is about £2.50 a week and if you only earn a small amount, you don't even have to pay that (you have a choice). If you don't pay it, you will still be covered for Healthcare but are not contributing towards your State Pension or any Benefits.

Originally Posted by billgates (Post 8441880)

Haven't a clue as to whether you can claim family allowance from the Uk. I don't.
My gestor deducts all Spanish family allowances and tax credits that any Spanish employee would be entitled to. I don't claim anything from the UK because I don't pay into the UK system anymore.

I don't set the rate for SS payments as an autonomo. It's the only way that I am aware of that I can pay into the Spanish system. I suppose we could do what most expats below retirement age do and blag our way with the old E111 or its decendant, but if anyone in my family is suddenly hurt or taken ill then I don't want to have to worry about getting a large bill.
I agree though, 250€ is less than I would have been paying for UK NI. Saying that though, as an autonomo, if I only earned a tenner a month I would still have to pay the full 250€.

Originally Posted by manamama (Post 8442081)

That amount is ever so low...only £2.50 per week or less !

And this is the contribution towards a state pension or benefits? I am really surprised that it is so low. I wonder if this is for paye people too?

How on earth does the UK NHS/Pension manage to pay for itself?

Originally Posted by scampicat (Post 8442071)

If you are self-employed in the UK, the NI is about £2.50 a week and if you only earn a small amount, you don't even have to pay that (you have a choice). If you don't pay it, you will still be covered for Healthcare but are not contributing towards your State Pension or any Benefits.