Insurance in the Netherlands

On the other hand, the Dutch insurance market is one of the most open markets in the world, mainly due to its liberal regulatory environment and its considerably open distribution structure. As a result, the absolute and relative number of market participants is overwhelming. With “only” 16 million inhabitants in the Netherlands, no less than 786 non-life-insurers and 247 life insurers have licenses to operate in the Dutch market. The fact that the Dutch rank sixth globally in terms of per capita insurance premiums paid is another explanation for the overwhelming number of participants. However, coming from an era of “unlimited exuberance,” relatively flexible regulation, and strong fiscal incentives for life insurance business, insurers now have to adjust to a business environment that has changed significantly.