A majority of people have never switched health insurance company since the new system came into effect in 2006, according to research by Ipsos Synovate.

Of the 40% who have moved their health insurance to another insurer, most did it just once, the research shows.
In mid-November, the annual six-week window for switching insurers kicks off. So far three insurance companies have revealed their 2013 fees. One is freezing the cost of a basic health insurance, one increasing it by €6 a year and one reducing it by €6.
The annual own-risk element in health insurance – the amount everyone has to pay before claiming back fees – is going up from €220 to €350 a year from 2013.