This article is by Charles Rowley, Director, DA Strategy
The European MGA landscape is undergoing a quiet revolution, and the numbers tell the story. At DA Strategy, we’re seeing continued momentum for MGAs in Europe – indeed MGA growth in Europe is above and beyond that seen in the USA, where MGA Excess and Surplus lines business has been growing at 10 to 20% in GWP per annum in recent years. Not all of these concepts make it to launch, of course, but the surge in interest is impossible to ignore. It spans all business lines, with particularly strong momentum in financial lines, marine, and niche segments like war and terrorism. While this appetite has been building since Brexit, the current level of activity marks a definitive shift, driven by a powerful mix of regulatory change, strategic geopolitical urgency, and commercial opportunity.
Why Now?
The primary catalyst remains Brexit. UK-based coverholders and insurers are no longer permitted to write business directly in the EU. That forced a period of pause and reflection across the delegated authority space, particularly for UK MGAs whose distribution strategies were previously pan-European. Many took a ‘wait and see’ approach while monitoring market access solutions and the broader political and regulatory climate.
But that pause is over. MGAs are no longer just exploring options, they are actively setting up shop in Europe. Through our European partner DA Strategy Global GmbH (DASG), a dual-regulated entity authorised by both the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce and the FCA, we’re currently supporting more than double the number of MGA market entry projects in 2025 compared to just two years ago.
What’s Driving the Surge?
Post-Brexit regulatory divergence is one factor, but there are broader strategic shifts at play. We’re seeing increasing appetite from European brokers and carriers for specialist capacity, data-driven underwriting and digital distribution, areas where agile MGAs can offer clear differentiation. For UK-based MGAs, launching in Europe is not just about maintaining access to old business. It’s about seizing new growth opportunities.
Insurers, for their part, are recognising the value of MGA partnerships in fragmented markets where direct expansion is costly. Many are backing MGA-led entry strategies rather than setting up branches themselves. And while some are naturally cautious, we are seeing increasing confidence in European MGAs as regulated, compliant, and well-run businesses with sustainable growth potential.
Geographic Hotspots
Germany, France, and the Netherlands continue to dominate MGA expansion plans, offering large, sophisticated insurance markets with a strong appetite for innovation. But we’re also seeing increased activity in Spain and the Nordic countries, where digitalisation and insurtech adoption is unlocking demand for niche and embedded product lines.
Of course, regulatory complexity remains a major barrier. Europe is not a single market when it comes to insurance supervision. Each country brings its own rules, regulators, and expectations – and indeed understanding and acceptance of the MGA model.
One of the biggest misconceptions MGAs make is underestimating the time and documentation required for authorisation. Some expect a fast-track or ‘passporting-lite’ process, which simply doesn’t exist. We’ve seen many falter on local substance requirements, board composition, or solvency arrangements. DASG helps smooth this process, providing compliant infrastructure and administrative services that meet both UK and EU standards.
Time to Market
With the right planning and support, a new MGA can expect to go from concept to licensed trading in a European jurisdiction within 3 or so months. That’s significantly faster than many imagine, but only if the business is fully prepared. Key to success is early engagement with regulators, a clear business plan, and a transparent capacity arrangement.
As we look ahead, we anticipate continued growth in cross-border MGA activity, particularly in specialist lines such as cyber, parametric, renewable energy, and SME commercial. The European market is opening up to the MGA model in a way that wasn’t true five years ago, and those who move early, with the right regulatory and operational support, will be best placed to succeed.
At DA Strategy, we’re proud to play a role in enabling this shift. With DASG, we’ve built a trusted bridge between the UK and Europe, one that’s helping a new generation of MGAs bring innovative capacity to clients across the continent.
Be the first to comment