Just one in eight adults in the Netherlands has opted for a budget health insurance policy which limits their choice of doctor but offers major savings on premiums.

In addition, a majority of people do not dare to set their own risk limit above the statutory €375 a year, even though this can bring down premiums as well. Three-quarters of people also take out expensive top-up polices as a matter of course, the Telegraaf says on Friday.

Next year, health insurance premiums are set to rise by around €7 per month and the own-risk element will go up to €385.

The basic health insurance policy currently averages around €100 a month but can be cut to as low as €63 by pushing up the own-risk and opting for less choice.