Press Release: Insurance: Commission continues its scrutiny of the exemption of Irish Voluntary Health Insurance Board (VHI) from EU rules

The European Commission decided to send Ireland a final request to eliminate the exemption of the Irish Voluntary Health Insurance Board (VHI) from certain EU rules on non-life insurance. This followed a complaint to the Commission alleging that the VHI is unlawfully pursuing insurance activities without being subject to the First Non-Life Insurance Directive in particular. The Commission's request took the form of a 'complementary reasoned opinion', which follows the 'reasoned opinion' previously sent by the Commission. Ireland was asked to establish compliance with EU law. If there is no satisfactory reply within two months, the Commission may decide to refer the case to the European Court of Justice.