Insurance and Reinsurance Broker

If you want to work as an insurance or reinsurance broker (courtier en assurance) in France, you must register with ORIAS, the official register of insurance, banking, and finance intermediaries. Registration requires proof of professional capacity: either 150 hours of approved training, two years of managerial experience, four years of non-managerial experience in the sector, or a relevant diploma (as set out in Art. R512-9 of the Code des assurances). You also need professional liability insurance (RC Pro) with minimum coverage of 1,564,610 euros per claim, and a financial guarantee if you handle client funds.

Since April 2022, membership in a professional association approved by the ACPR is also mandatory. ORIAS registration must be renewed annually. You must also register your business with the RCS (registre du commerce et des sociétés) as insurance brokerage is a commercial activity.

Qualifications and Training

  • Required capacity: Level I professional capacity in insurance (see Orias website)
  • Qualification options: Minimum 150-hour professional internship, OR 2 years management experience, OR 4 years experience, OR master's degree, OR bachelor's degree + specialty 313, OR professional qualification certificate specialty 313
  • Internship: Completed with an insurance company, broker/insurance agent, credit institution, or training organization. Skills assessment upon completion
  • Cost: Paid training (contact training organizations)

Registration and Obligations

  • Orias registration: Mandatory to practice in France. Online account opening + file (KBIS extract <3 months, proof of capacity, €30 fee)
  • Renewal: Annual before January 31st. Inform Orias 1 month before any situation change. Provide professional liability and financial guarantee certificates
  • Professional liability insurance: Mandatory to cover damages caused to others
  • Financial guarantee: Minimum €115,000, or double the average monthly amount of funds collected over 12 months
  • Penalties: Non-compliance with obligations: 2 years imprisonment and/or €6,000 fine

EU/EEA Nationals

  • LPS and LE: Inform the unique register of the home State which transmits information to the French Orias
  • Information to communicate: Name, address, registration number, State of practice, category (broker), relevant branches
  • Time limit: The home State register has 1 month to communicate to Orias. The national can start 1 month after notification
  • Additional condition: If activity not regulated in home State: prove 2 years of practice in the previous 10 years