[walshemj]

not in most eu country's ok recent immigrants may have to have a short period of paying into the system.

When I was out of work in the UK I signed on to keep my NI record up to date as they only account full years

[Flip-per]

In the UK you lose your unemployment insurance benefits and thus the health insurance after ~30 weeks (source: http://ec.europa.eu/social/BlobServlet?docId=10852&langId=en)

Average for EU countries is ~50 weeks. That's not long if you do not want to work for money for the rest of your life.

[tonyedgecombe]

This is wrong, health care is free at the point of use in the UK, whether you are employed or not.

[corford]

In the UK, healthcare is free regardless of employment status. You don't need health insurance.