The health ministry expects health insurance premiums will rise by some €60 a year, or €5 a month, next year, according to the latest leaks ahead of the September 15 budget.

Although it is up to health insurance companies themselves to set their charges, the government always publishes its estimate as part of its economic strategy for the coming year.

The rise would take the average cost of health insurance to €1,476, excluding any discounts for restricted choice of providers and higher own risk payments, the AD said on Thursday.

Some experts had suggested earlier that premiums could rise by as much as €144, or €12 a month, because of the impact of coronavirus on healthcare spending.

However, even though hospitals have run up large bills treating coronavirus patients, this has been largely offset by the reduction in spending on treatment for other ailments, sources in The Hague told the paper.

No increase is expected in the basic own risk payment of €385, which will have been frozen for three years if there is no rise this year.

Health insurance companies start publishing their fees for 2020 towards the end of September, ahead of the annual window for switching insurance company. This year 1.1 million people moved to a new provider.