Ireland—Authorisation as a (re)insurer

Copyright © 2025 LexisNexis
Produced in partnership with James Grennan of A&L Goodbody and Adam Assahli of A&L Goodbody
Practice notes

Ireland—Authorisation as a (re)insurer

Copyright © 2025 LexisNexis

Produced in partnership with James Grennan of A&L Goodbody and Adam Assahli of A&L Goodbody

Practice notes
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This Practice Note provides an outline of the process for obtaining authorisation from the Central Bank of Ireland as a (re)insurer. It considers the requirement for authorisation under SI No 485/2015 European Union (Insurance and Reinsurance) Regulations 2015 (Ireland) (the Insurance and Reinsurance Regulations) and the process for obtaining authorisation. It also considers the conditions that an applicant may be required to fulfil before the authorisation is granted, the refusal and withdrawal of an application and post authorisation amendments.

When is authorisation required?

A person is required to obtain an authorisation under the Insurance and Reinsurance Regulations from the Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) to carry on the business of insurance under any class, or any reinsurance activity, in Ireland. Providing insurance without the requisite authorisation is an offence.

There are certain limited exemptions from the requirement to obtain an authorisation from the CBI (for example, based on financial thresholds (such as balance sheets, technical provisions, gross written premium etc) of the applicant, the nature of the applicant’s business

James Grennan
James Grennan

Partner and head of Insurance & Reinsurance, A&L Goodbody

James Grennan is a partner in A&L Goodbody's Corporate department and Head of the Insurance group. From 1995 to 1999 James managed A&L Goodbody’s London office.

His area of particular expertise is the insurance industry. His practice embraces all aspects of insurance law and regulation including the set up and authorisation of insurers, ongoing regulation, the provision of cross-border services, sale and purchase of insurance companies and insurance businesses, captive insurance, authorisation and regulation of insurance intermediaries, contracts, regulatory investigations and enforcement actions and statutory compensation schemes. He advises life and non-life insurers, health insurers, reinsurers, captives and intermediaries.

He played a major role in the A&L Goodbody legal team that advised the Irish Government’s Department of Finance on the establishment of the Irish Financial Regulator. He was also instrumental in having Irish law amended to facilitate the operations of life assurers in the International Financial Services Centre and in drafting other legislation to address insurance industry concerns. He has advised on many of the most significant insurance transactions and developments in recent decades.

James is a member of the Law Society of Ireland and Dublin Solicitors Bar Association. James is President of the Management of Law Firms Commission, a member of the Governing Board and a member of the ESG task force at the Union Internationale des Advocats (International Association of Lawyers). He is a CEDR qualified mediator and the contributor on insurance law to the Ireland for Law initiative. James is also a regular speaker on insurance topics both in Ireland and abroad.

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Adam Assahli
Adam Assahli

Associate (Insurance Group), A&L Goodbody

Adam Assahli is an associate in A&L Goodbody's Corporate department, specialising in Insurance & Reinsurance. Adam's key areas of expertise include advising insurers, reinsurers, captives, intermediaries and other clients on all aspects of insurance and reinsurance law and regulation. Adam also advises clients on corporate and regulatory transactions including the acquisition of (re)insurers, (re)insurance intermediaries and insurance portfolio transfers.

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Jurisdiction(s):
Ireland
Related legal acts:

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