TUCSON, Arizona – Evolving Landscape for European Captive Insurance
European captive insurance owners are encountering notable regulatory challenges, but potential revisions could streamline the number of required filings. Additionally, the increasing number of domiciles within the region may foster further growth, according to a panel of experts. The ongoing hard insurance market is driving interest in captives across Europe, with companies seeking to leverage them more strategically for emerging risks. This was highlighted during a session at the Captive Insurance Companies Association 2025 International Conference.
Since the introduction of Solvency II in 2016, which is the European Union’s capital framework for insurers, captive regulation has become more intricate. Udo Kappes, the Essen, Germany-based head of insurance at RWE AG, an energy corporation, noted that the regulatory landscape has been adjusted to alleviate requirements for small and non-complex entities, a category that most captives are likely to fall under.
These adjustments, anticipated to be implemented next year, could involve altering the frequency of certain detailed filings that are currently mandated on an annual basis, according to Mr. Kappes.
While Europe represents a mature market, establishing a captive takes longer compared to the United States, where certain captives can be set up within just 30 days, said Nancy Gray, regional managing director, Americas, at Aon PLC, located in Burlington, Vermont. However, European captive owners are eager to optimize their captives for broader applications. “There’s this desire to explore what further potential my captive holds. Initially, it met specific needs upon establishment, so now the focus is on expanding its use, whether through international employee benefits, cyber risks, or other business lines,” Ms. Gray explained.
European owners are also observing an increase in domiciles. For instance, France has recently become a captive domicile, with Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom contemplating captive legislation.
The expansion of European domiciles could catalyze further growth in the captive sector, according to Caroline Wagstaff, CEO of the trade association, the London Market Group. “There is certainly still some reputational risk associated with having your captive in a location that is not your home state,” she remarked.
Furthermore, smaller and medium-sized enterprises, which might lack the resources to establish an offshore captive, could be more inclined to set up a captive in their home territory, Ms. Wagstaff added. “More domiciles don’t imply competition over the same resources. Instead, it indicates a larger share for everyone,” she concluded.
