Malta - British Expat Forum

I have 'retired' early entirely through choice. I have a private pension and receive interest from a capital investement. (House sale). I have sufficient funds to enable me enjoy a decent but not, in any way, extravagent life style.
I have not paid any UK NI contributions for almost 4 years. I am 54 years old and in good health. (I worked in the UK from 1972 to 2005 and paid full NI but have paid nothing since 2005)
I move to Gozo very soon into a rented flat and I will need to rely on the Bilateral Healthcare agreement for medical care and both ID card & residency applications

My status, so to speak, in gozo, will be:-
Not paid any NI in UK for 4 years
I DO hold an EHIC card.
I cannot get either E106 or E121, due to age & NI arrears.
I will not be working nor paying NI contributions in Gozo.

Is the bilateral agreement reliable or should I look at private healthcare insurance, which would really stretch the budget.
Also is the Bilateral agreement accepted in Ord. residency applications?

Many thanks in anticipation

http://www.britishexpat.com/expatforum/malta/viewtopic.php?t=8544

6. do I need health insurance ?
11. what documents do I need to apply for OR ?

and the discussion that follows on that thread

ps - once you are resident, your UK issued EHIC card will no longer be legally valid

I am currently corresponding with the UK Health Dept in Newcastle. It seems there may be a method whereby a I can pay my UK NI stamps retrospectively and therefore be eligible for a E106 or E121 (not sure which it is!)
BUT... the cost is not cheap. Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVC) are at a far higher rate than the the "normal" NI deduction from a salary.

I may have to depend upon the terms of the Bilateral agreement, at least until the expense of moving to Gozo has been absorbed. Perhaps after a couple of months, I will have established contacts with some local private health insurers.