Health insurance company DSW, traditionally the first to announce the price of a basic policy for the following year, is to raise its premiums by €110 in 2017, or around 10%.

With an increase of €9.25 per month, DSW’s price rise is three times the government’s estimate of an average €3.50 increase. DSW put up its fees by €3.50 last year and froze them in 2014.

Patient’s organisation Patiëntenfederatie said the announcement was a ‘cold shower’ following all the government’s claims that everyone would have more to spend next year, broadcaster NOS reported.

DSW only offers one sort of health insurance policy which allows patients to be treated by which ever health service provider they chose.

The company said the price hike is necessary to cover the cost of expensive medicines, a broader basis package and wage and price rises.

The big insurance companies, which offer a wider range of policies with more restrictions on choice, are expected to begin publishing their premiums for next year in November.