Health insurance comparison websites expect up to 1.2 million people to change health insurance company before the end of the year, according to the Parool.

In addition, they estimate almost 25% of people will opt for an insurance policy with the highest own-risk possible in return for lower premiums.

The universal own-risk element rises to €385 next year, but consumers can increase that to €885 in return for a premium cut of around €300 a year. This means they will need to pay the first €885-worth of health bills next year, excluding visits to a GP.

Some 70% of people never change insurer, the paper says.