Republic of Poland

This technical note provides an update and an assessment of the development of regulation and supervision of the Polish insurance sector since an assessment concluded in 2012. The note is part of the Poland 2018 Financial Sector Assessment Program (FSAP) and draws on discussions in Poland from January 8 to 20 and May 8 to 21, 2018. Most recommendations of the 2012 FSAP insurance assessment have been implemented. The current FSAP did not carry out a detailed assessment of compliance with the IAIS Insurance Core Principles (ICPs). Nonetheless, it is clear that implementation of the EU Solvency II Directive in 2016 has significantly strengthened regulation and supervision, introducing risk-based capital standards, comprehensive insurance group supervision, and new requirements on the suitability of key persons, risk management, and controls. The supervision of intermediaries has also been strengthened in line with a 2012 FSAP recommendation, and further improvements were to take effect in late 2018. Unlike in many EU countries, Solvency II was implemented without significant increases in staff numbers.