The strategic approach for the target markets remains unchanged: Deutsche Rück acts as a service reinsurer for the German and Austrian markets, and as a following reinsurer for all other markets. 

In doing so, the internationalisation strategy follows the principle of diversifying the business: In future, the core business with the public insurers will be supplemented by an even broader international portfolio of risks.  

Deutsche Rück’s International Markets (as of 2025)

More Business in Life Reinsurance

More life reinsurance business will diversify the portfolio, which has traditionally been dominated by the property and casualty lines. Deutsche Rück therefore intends to significantly expand its life reinsurance business internationally over the coming years. To this end, it is focusing on markets where it has already established a strong presence in non-life reinsurance. 

Marrakech’s main square, Jeema el-Fnaa, Morocco

Focus on Profitable Growth

In recent years, the international business has grown strongly. As before, further growth will continue to depend on profit prospects in the respective markets. If profitability declines because markets change, Deutsche Rück responds flexibly and adjusts business volumes accordingly – even if this results in lower growth rates or a temporary decline in turnover.  

Profitable growth therefore remains at the heart of the internationalisation strategy. 

Public insurers business and market business

The expansion of internationalisation is also changing the composition of Deutsche Rück’s business. About 40 percent of Deutsche Rück’s gross premiums earned derive from relationships outside the group of shareholders.

Continued international growth will increase the share of market business in the coming years. And that is precisely the goal: to achieve an optimised balance with the traditional core business with the public insurers in Germany.  

Risk Manager for German Public Insurers

In addition to its strong rating, one of the success factors behind the expansion of the international business has always been Deutsche Rück’s traditionally very low cost ratio. Maintaining its strong cost discipline will remain a priority in the future, even in view of the growth ambitions. 

For decades, thanks to its broad range of services, Deutsche Rück has been far more than just a pure capacity provider for public insurers. Going forward, the strategic objective is to strengthen its role as risk manager for public insurers even further. In this role, for example, the implementation of mandatory natural catastrophe insurance – currently under political discussion – would be a relevant issue in supporting public insurers in their core business, as they address this challenge. 

Board of Executive Directors, Deutsche Rück: Michael Rohde, Achim Bosch (CEO), Caren Büning

Deutsche Rück’s vision is to act as a platform for its clients. In future, this will enable it to further develop, coordinate and manage special forms of reinsurance and the mutual risk-sharing arrangements of public insurers even more effectively.