Health insurance company DSW, traditionally the first to announce the price of a basic policy for the following year, is freezing its fees at €95 a month.

The government said last week it expected health insurance premiums to rise by around €10 a month.

DSW says it does not have to put up its fees because the government has over-estimated the cost of healthcare and because it has sufficient buffers to absorb any financial setbacks.

Profits

Last year, most health insurance companies froze or slightly lowered their fees. However, the big four insurance companies still made combined profit of €1.4bn, Peter Ruys of healthcare comparison website Zorgkiezer.nl told broadcaster Nos.

Other health insurance companies will start publishing their 2015 plans within the next few weeks ahead of the two month change-over period.