Core Points - DSW, a Dutch health insurance company, announced that its basic health insurance premiums will remain unchanged in 2026, breaking the trend of annual increases seen in recent years [1][3] - The monthly premium will continue to be €158.50, and the mandatory deductible will also stay the same [3] - The stability in premiums is attributed to a surplus in the Health Insurance Fund, which had an income exceeding expenses by €2.4 billion last year [3][6] Group 1 - DSW's decision is often seen as a benchmark for other health insurance companies in the Netherlands [1] - The surplus from the Health Insurance Fund must be used by health insurers to limit premium increases [3] - Without the fund's support, DSW indicated that premiums would have increased by €6 [3] Group 2 - There is a warning that premiums may rise again in 2027 due to ongoing increases in healthcare costs [5][6] - Since 2016, health insurance premiums in the Netherlands have risen by 53%, outpacing the inflation rate of 33% during the same period [6] - Other health insurance companies are expected to announce their 2026 premiums in the coming weeks, with deadlines for notifying customers set for November [6]