Speaking to reporters, Kindl, together with Adel Bahtanović, President of UNIQA SEE Region, highlighted the Group's strong results, ambitious growth targets and cultural transformation driving cross-border cooperation in South Eastern Europe (SEE).
CEE: The fastest growing regional insurance market in the world
"Central and Eastern Europe is currently the fastest growing and most dynamic insurance market in the world. The region's economic momentum is unmatched – with several CEE countries recording GDP growth rates well above the EU average," points out Wolfgang Kindl.
UNIQA operates in 14 countries, with a long tradition and strong presence in Austria, and 11 CEE countries, including Montenegro and Serbia, serving around 17 million people.
“The insurance markets in Central and Eastern Europe continue to offer significant growth potential – not only economically, but also in terms of insurance penetration. UNIQA holds a position in the top 5 leading insurers in our key markets and is well positioned to benefit from the dynamic development of the region. The EU member states in CEE are expected to grow three times faster than the eurozone in 2025 and twice as fast in 2026. However, insurance spending per capita is still well below the Western European average. This convergence process opens up a long-term opportunity for profitable growth, which we are actively pursuing through targeted distribution, strong partnerships and digital innovations,” adds Kindl.
Strong results and ambitious growth goals
In the first half of 2025, UNIQA International recorded premium growth of 10,8% in international markets, compared to 4,8% in Austria. The Group's total premium volume increased by 9,7% to EUR 4,4 billion, with a strong technical result and an excellent net combined ratio of 90,5%.
"This year, we are growing above average in international markets. Our goal is to maintain this above-average momentum until 2028," said Kindl. A successful single brand strategy and a strong local presence remain the main drivers of these ambitious plans.
Segment by premiums: UNIQA International
In the first half of 2025, UNIQA International achieved a total premium volume of EUR 1,5 billion. The business structure clearly reflects a strong focus on P&C insurance, which accounts for 75% of premiums, while life insurance accounts for 20% and health insurance for 5%.
Most clients and a significant portion of premiums come from CEE
Currently, around 80% of UNIQA's customers and approximately 40% of its premium volume come from CEE. The profitability of the international business remains high, and the contribution of the CEE subsidiaries to the Group's overall result is expected to increase further. "We are proud of our performance in CEE. It is not only a growth driver for UNIQA Insurance, but also a region where we can make a real impact – economically and socially," concludes Kindl.
UNIQA SEE: A region shaped by cooperation and shared development
Since March 2022, UNIQA has been working to connect six markets in Southeast Europe – Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia and Romania – into a single, agile regional entity. The goal is to rely on shared strengths and cultural affinity, and create structures that enable faster decision-making and more efficient business operations.
Building community across borders
""Instead of just aligning structures, we focused on building a community – a community that thrives through collaboration and a common goal," says Adel Bahtanović, President of the SEE Region. "Our teams collaborate regardless of borders, language or hierarchy. We learn from each other every day – and that is what drives our progress."
Strong results, strong impact
Today, UNIQA SEE serves almost two and a half million clients, employs 2.000 people and generates over EUR 464 million in gross premiums (+14,6% y/y). In this way, UNIQA SEE significantly contributes to the Group's overall result.
Cultural transformation as a catalyst
The transformation is not just operational – it is also cultural. Teams from different countries work together to develop products, IT solutions and improve customer services. Knowledge is shared openly and ideas are developed together, regardless of seniority or location.
Openness fosters agility
“We have created a space where everyone can contribute – whether they are in Sofia, Belgrade or Podgorica,” Bahtanović explains. “This openness helps us react faster to changes and build solutions that are truly relevant to our clients.”
Scaling for sustainable growth
What makes this transformation particularly significant is the potential for scaling. Many SEE markets were relatively small in size and structure. By joining forces, they now benefit from shared platforms, pooled expertise, and coordinated strategies – unlocking efficiencies and growth opportunities that would be difficult to achieve individually.
UNIQA SEE FUTURE Foundation: Empowering young talent and diversity
The UNIQA SEE FUTURE Foundation, established by UNIQA Insurance, supports young people and organizations in Southeast Europe who excel in sports, culture and sustainability. Tennis legend Goran Ivanišević acts as a sports mentor and brand ambassador, supporting young athletes such as Luna Vujović. The Foundation also promotes gender equality in the arts: in partnership with the Sarajevo Film Festival and the Slano Film Days festival, it supports the Women Directors Support Program, providing women in the film industry with mentorship and financial support. In addition, the Visual Artists Mentorship Program offers a unique platform for the development and international visibility of young talents from the region. Through these targeted initiatives, the Foundation encourages positive change and reflects UNIQA Insurance’s commitment to social responsibility and community development.
UNIQA Sustainable Business Solutions,: Adaptation to climate change
As the damage caused by global warming increases, the need for adaptation and resilience has never been greater. UNIQA Sustainable Business Solutions, a subsidiary of the UNIQA Group, supports companies across Austria and CEE in building resilience and improving sustainability. With a team of over 50 experts in risk engineering and sustainability, the company offers customized risk assessments, loss prevention strategies and professional training. By integrating innovation, risk management and environmental responsibility, UNIQA Sustainable Business Solutions helps clients proactively identify and mitigate emerging risks – especially those related to climate vulnerability and operational resilience – enabling them to successfully cope with an increasingly complex risk environment and secure their future.
"As a region, we are not only growing, but also evolving – driven by openness, collaboration and a shared vision for the future. By empowering new generations and supporting sustainable solutions, we help build resilient communities and create real impact across Southeastern Europe," concludes Adel Bahtanović, President of the UNIQA SEE Region.
( UNIQA )
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