Administrative & Regulatory Law · European Union
Run Your Insurance Business in Line With Insurance Regulation
Authorisation, distribution, product governance and conduct rules shape every insurance and reinsurance business — and supervisors hold firms to them closely. We match you, free of charge, with a lawyer who handles insurance regulation across Europe every day.
- Authorisation, distribution & conduct expertise
- Lawyers across the EU & EEA
- No fee to get matched
No commitment. No hidden fees.
Get matched with a lawyer
Tell us about your situation and receive a free, confidential case review.
Who this is for
For insurers, reinsurers, intermediaries and anyone distributing insurance products in Europe
Insurance regulation is the legal framework that governs who may carry on insurance and reinsurance business, how products are designed, priced and distributed, and how customers must be treated throughout the life of a policy. It covers authorisation and ongoing supervision, prudential and solvency requirements, product governance and oversight, the duties of distributors and intermediaries, and conduct-of-business rules designed to protect policyholders. In Europe the architecture is set at EU level but applied by national supervisors, so an insurer or intermediary operating across borders must navigate both the shared rules and the specific expectations of each country. The obligations are continuous and the scrutiny is real: from designing a new product to handling a customer complaint, the rules shape nearly every commercial decision. A specialist helps you launch, expand and operate with confidence that you are meeting them.
Why firms get stuck
Insurance compliance is won or lost in product design and distribution.
Both are heavily regulated.
Product governance and conduct rules are demanding, and the same product must satisfy the rules of every country where it is sold.
Authorisation and passporting
Insurers and intermediaries need authorisation, and cross-border activity must be notified under the passporting framework. Getting the notification or scope wrong can leave a firm operating where it has no lawful basis to do so.
Product governance duties
Designing and approving a product now carries formal duties — target market, testing, monitoring — that extend to distributors too. A weak governance process can draw supervisory action even before any customer is harmed.
Distribution and conduct risk
How products are sold, advised on and disclosed is tightly regulated, with specific duties toward consumers. Mis-selling, an unclear disclosure or an unsuitable recommendation can trigger enforcement and private claims.
What you get
An insurance regulation lawyer who understands the whole value chain
We only match you with regulatory lawyers who work with insurers and intermediaries on a regular basis.
Authorisation & passporting
Your lawyer confirms which authorisation you need, supports the application, and manages the notifications required to distribute across borders — so you operate lawfully in every market you enter.
Product governance
Practical help building a product approval and oversight process that meets current requirements, covering target market, testing and ongoing monitoring across the countries where you sell.
Distribution & conduct
Guidance on the duties of manufacturers, distributors and intermediaries — disclosure, suitability and customer treatment — so your sales practices hold up under supervisory review.
Supervisory & disputes
If a supervisor asks questions or a policyholder complaint escalates, you get a lawyer who knows how to respond, remedy the issue and defend your firm’s position.
Coverage
Insurance regulation lawyers across Europe
The EU sets the framework, but authorisation and supervision are national, and distribution rules differ by product. We match cases across the following countries and beyond:
Frequently asked
Insurance regulation — common questions
What is insurance regulation?
Insurance regulation is the framework governing who may carry on insurance and reinsurance business and how products are designed, distributed and serviced. It covers authorisation, solvency and prudential requirements, product governance, and conduct rules, set at EU level but applied by national supervisors.
Do I need authorisation to sell insurance?
Carrying on insurance business or acting as an intermediary generally requires authorisation, and the exact requirements depend on the activity and the country. Even firms that only distribute another insurer’s products usually need registration. A specialist should assess your specific model.
What is insurance passporting?
Passporting lets an authorised insurer or intermediary operate in other EU or EEA countries on the strength of its home-country authorisation, subject to notification. The scope and process depend on the activity, so a lawyer can confirm how it applies to your plans.
What are product governance obligations?
Product governance rules require insurers and distributors to design products for a defined target market, test them, and monitor performance, with documentation at each stage. These duties extend across the distribution chain and are a common focus of supervisory review.
What are my duties toward customers?
Insurers and intermediaries owe customers duties of disclosure, fair treatment and, in advice-based sales, suitability. Failing these can lead to regulatory action and complaints. The precise duties vary by product and country, so tailored advice is important.
What happens if my firm breaches the rules?
Consequences vary by country and seriousness, and can include fines, restrictions on business, remediation orders and, in serious cases, individual liability. A lawyer should assess the specific situation and supervisor involved before you respond.
Free case review
Distribute insurance with the rules on your side
Tell us what you insure, distribute or advise on, and we’ll connect you with an insurance regulation lawyer who handles firms like yours — free of charge, with no obligation to hire.