The Solvency II directive, published in November 2009, aims to create better levels of disclosure, transparency in the insurance sector and effective supervision of the industry. It codifies and harmonises EU insurance regulation. Solvency II came into effect in January 2016 following the EU vote on the Omnibus II directive in March 2014. This page features articles, books and online resources providing guidance and analysis.
Expert help for your enquiries and research.
A practitioner's guide to Solvency II
G Maddock (ed), (Sweet & Maxwell, 2016)
A complete guide and explanation of the Solvency II regime
To borrow this book please contact the Library.
Solvency II
The Solvency II directive became fully applicable to EU insurers on 1 Jan 2016.
The Library provides full text access to a selection of key business and reference eBooks from leading publishers. eBooks are available to logged-in ICAEW members, ACA students and other entitled users. If you are unable to access an eBook, please see our Help and support advice or contact library@icaew.com.
This publication looks to provide a bigger picture view of the impact and future of financial regulation in the EU. Chapter 9 looks at insurance regulation in the EU with a detailed section on the Solvency II process
Terms of use: You are permitted to access, download, copy, or print out content from eBooks for your own research or study only, subject to the terms of use set by our suppliers and any restrictions imposed by individual publishers. Please see individual supplier pages for full terms of use.
The Library provides access to leading business, finance and management journals. These journals are available to logged-in ICAEW members, ACA students and other entitled users subject to suppliers' terms of use.
Article reports on announcement from the Chancellor of the Exchequer - "Britain will “tailor” capital rules for insurers inherited from the European Union as it takes back control of its crucial financial services sector"
Article discusses that the opportunity for investors in mezzanine tranches has been lost after the feedback session on Solvency II was closed without discussing changes to the securitization capital treatment.
Article reports that Standard & Poors estimate that estimates the impact of the proposed changes on the Solvency II ratio could be anywhere from 30 to 70 percentage points on average per country.
Article reports that the European Central Bank will be the body that decides how far the Basel III rules go and is likely to allow firms to use weaker forms of capital to meet Pillar 2.
Financial Services Faculty: Insurance
The Faculty provides technical guidance, briefings and other publications to keep members up to date.
Directive 2009/138/EC
Full text of the directive of the European Parliament and Council, passed on 25 November 2009. The directive concerns the taking-up and pursuit of the business of Insurance and Reinsurance (Solvency II).
Proposal for a directive amending directives 2003/71/EC and 2009/138/EC
Proposed directive (known as the Omnibus II Directive) issued by the European Commission on 8 November 2011. The proposal concerns the powers of the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority and the European Securities and Markets Authority.
Directive 2014/51/EU amending Directives 2003/71/EC and 2009/138/EC and Regulations (EC) No 1060/2009, (EU) No 1094/2010 and (EU) No 1095/2010
The full text of the Omnibus II directive of 16 April 2004 which amended Solvency II. Applicable from 31 March 2015.
Review of prudential rules (Solvency II Directive)
The EU launched a Solvency II review consultation on 1 July 2020, the response period closed at the end of October 2020.
Solvency II Review: Consultation
The government seeked views on reforming the prudential regulation of the UK insurance sector. Consultation concluded on 21 July 2022.
Treasury Select Committee EU Insurance Regulation inquiry
Launched in September 2016, the inquiry looked into the impact of Solvency II and options for the UK insurance industry in the wake of the decision to leave the EU.
Solvency II Framework (Directive 2009/138/EC) consultation
HM Treasury consultation on the way the Government proposes to change UK legislation to comply with Solvency II rules. The consultation closed on 15 February 2012.
EIOPA guidelines
Guidelines from the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) covering 28 areas of Solvency II and a further four that relate to the preparatory phase that terminated on 31 December 2015.
Opinion on the solvency position of insurers and reinsurance in light of the withdrawal of the United Kingdom (UK) from the European Union (EU)
EIOPA opinion paper examining the impact of the UK becoming a third country on the solvency position after Brexit. Published in May 2018.
Practice note 20 (revised) - The audit of insurers in the United Kingdom
Guidance from the Financial Reporting Council, revised (January 2017) in conjunction with the Prudential Regulation Authority to reflect the new landscape of prudential regulation under Solvency II.
Using Solvency II to implement IFRS 17
Guide from PwC, published in October 2017, comparing the similarities and differences between Solvency II and IFRS 17. It covers contract liabilities, presentation and disclosure and highlights the impact on wider data and system architecture.
Time to mobilise: Pillar III and IFRS 4
An overview of key issues under Pillar III and the adoption of IFRS 4 Phase II under the Solvency II framework. Published by EY in July 2011.
Solvency II
Guidance for Solvency II implementation at Lloyds.
2020 Life insurers' Survey 2020
PWC Solvency II capital models survey. The survey covers the evaluation of capital for the majority of risks, drawing on information from nine of the UK’s largest life insurers
Survey of Solvency II Pillar 3 Readiness
Survey carried out by Deloitte with the Economist Intelligence Unit of insurers operating in the UK. Reports published for Q1 2015 and Q4 2014.
European Solvency II survey 2014
Survey examining how insurers across 20 European countries are preparing for Solvency II requirements. Published by EY in April 2014.
To find out how you can borrow books from the Library please see our guide to book loans.
You can obtain copies of articles or extracts of books and reports through our document supply service.
If you're having trouble finding the information you need, ask the Library & Information Service. Contact us by telephone on +44 (0)20 7920 8620, by web chat or by email at library@icaew.com.
ICAEW accepts no responsibility for the content on any site to which a hypertext link from this site exists. The links are provided ‘as is’ with no warranty, express or implied, for the information provided within them. Please see the full copyright and disclaimer notice.