European Union: Insurance Laws and Products

A small pod of Iberian orcas has been interacting with vessels in the Strait of Gibraltar and Gulf of Cadiz since 2020, causing significant damage to some yachts and even sinking six vessels. What are the legal obligations for yacht owners navigating these waters, and how can they protect themselves both during encounters and in terms of insurance coverage?

The European Union has extensively Europeanized the insurance single market through frameworks like Solvency II and the new IRRD, yet policyholder protection in insolvency cases remains largely national. EIOPA's final recommendation on minimum standards for Insurance Guarantee Schemes raises a critical question: can Europe continue to allow cross-border insurance passporting without greater harmonization of policyholder protection?

The Central Bank of Ireland resumes domestic collection of outsourcing registers in February 2027 after a two-year pause, while publishing findings from its thematic assessment of fitness and probity frameworks in MiFID investment firms. New regulatory developments include the commencement of 'Right to be Forgotten' insurance legislation, EBA consultation on operational risk management standards, and EIOPA's technical advice on harmonizing insurance guarantee schemes across the EU.

On 30 March 2026, EIOPA published a final report on a draft implementing technical standards (ITS) and guidelines on supervisory reporting and public disclosure supplementing the Solvency II Directive.

The European Union's sixth Capital Requirements Directive introduces significant changes to third-country undertakings providing banking services in the EU, requiring branch establishment by January 2027. Ireland's Central Bank advances its innovation agenda through AI-focused regulatory engagement, while EIOPA publishes comprehensive guidelines on insurance recovery and resolution frameworks.

Ireland's Consumer Insurance Contracts Act 2019 has reached full implementation with the commencement of section 18(4) on 13 May 2026, introducing new protections for innocent co-insureds affected by criminal or intentional acts of other policyholders. This final provision requires insurers to conduct individual factual assessments of each co-insured's knowledge and consent before applying criminal act exclusions, fundamentally changing how claims involving fraudulent co-insureds are handled.

The Insurance Recovery and Resolution Directive introduces a comprehensive framework for managing distressed (re)insurers through resolution planning and intervention powers. This analysis examines the Central Bank of Ireland's role as resolution authority, the assessment of resolvability...

As Irish football transfer values rise, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has tightened the rules for football agents operating in Ireland. Clubs, agents, players and their families now need to understand licensing, FAI registration, professional indemnity insurance, representation agreements and the uncertain status of FIFA agent fee caps. This guide explains the core rules and the transfer risk points that clubs, agents and players should review.

Transport Malta has launched a voluntary safety certification scheme for pleasure yachts under 24 metres, establishing comprehensive guidelines covering vessel safety, operational standards, and pollution prevention.