The cabinet has dropped plans to remove global emergency healthcare coverage from the basic health insurance package.

Health minister Edith Schippers wanted to scrap the universal healthcare commitment from next year, but it has proved too complicated to implement, the ministry said in a short statement.

Schippers had hoped the measure would cut €60m from the health ministry budget. Other cuts will now be made to make up for the shortfall, the ministry said.

Holidaymakers are insured outside the EU if they have an accident or require emergency treatment up to a certain limit. Payments are based on the cost of treatment in the Netherlands.