One in four people are now opting for the maximum health insurance own risk payment of €885, according to research by comparison websites Pricewise and Independer.

And a spokesman for comparison website Zorgwijzer.nl told DutchNews.nl they too had noticed an increase. ‘Last year 10.2% of our users opted for a maximum charge, but that has gone up to 13.1% this year,’ the spokesman said.

The statutory own risk is €385 but people have the option to increase this by €500. In return, they benefit from a cut in their monthly premiums of up to €25.

People who opt for the maximum are responsible for paying for the first €885 of insured treatment over the year.

At the end of last year, Chris Oomen, head of the smaller insurance company DSW, wrote an open letter condemning the rising popularity of a maximum own risk payment.  He said it was unjust that only healthy people are able to benefit from the premium discount.