- Premiums written rise by 12.0 per cent to €4.9 billion
- Combined ratio (net) at a very good level of 91.6 per cent
- Earnings before taxes rose by 10.5 per cent to €327 million
- Net consolidated profit climbs by 11.1 per cent to €258 million
- Positive outlook for 2026 earnings before taxes between €540 million and €570 million confirmed
“The first half of 2026 shows that we are on track with our ‘UNIQA 3.0 – Growing Impact’ strategy. We have once again achieved a significant increase in both our earnings before taxes and our consolidated profit, while achieving profitable growth in premiums of a robust 12 per cent at the same time. This combination of customer focus, growth and profitability is the foundation of our long-term success”, says Andreas Brandstetter, CEO of UNIQA Insurance Group AG.
The growth prospects in Central and Eastern Europe remain attractive. Economies in the CEE markets continue to grow at a faster pace than in the eurozone, even though the market environment has become more challenging due to intense competition. The CEE markets therefore remain a key driver of growth for the Group. In its international markets, UNIQA achieved profitable premium growth of a strong 6.9 per cent.
Business in Austria also performed very well in the first half of the year, growing at 4.2 per cent. Property and casualty insurance, in particular, showed strong momentum. Corporate business once again proved to be a key driver of growth and health insurance also continued on its growth trajectory.
Diversification as a key element to success
Overall, the UNIQA Group recorded strong premium growth of 12.0 per cent to €4.9 billion in the first half of 2026. Earnings before taxes rose by 10.5 per cent to €327 million. The financial result doubled to €176 million.
The strong performance of the reinsurance business UNIQA Re in Zurich also played a significant role. UNIQA’s broad line-up across the growth markets in CEE and its home market of Austria, as well as across property, life and health insurance, once again proved to be a key element in stability.
“The first half of the year was strong, from an operational perspective. We have succeeded in combining profitable growth with a positive trend in earnings. Our stable core business, the particularly strong performance of our investments and the absence of major natural disasters so far this year are providing us with a tailwind. This puts us well on track to achieve our target of between €540 and €570 million in earnings before taxes for the year 2026”, concludes Brandstetter.
Significant contributions to growth across all segments
Property and casualty insurance – the Group’s largest segment, accounting for around two-thirds of premiums – recorded strong premium growth of 16.2 per cent to €3,163 million (1 – 6/2025: €2,723 million).
A significant contributor to this has been the reinsurance company UNIQA Re in Zurich, which recorded very strong external business volume in the first half of the year.
With very good technical profitability and a net combined ratio of 91.6 per cent (1 – 6/2025: 90.5 per cent), the contribution to earnings before taxes amounted to €177 million (1 – 6/2025: €183 million).
Health insurance also made a significant contribution to this positive performance, with growth of 7.9 per cent to €875 million (1 – 6/2025: €811 million) and a significantly higher profit of €24 million (1 – 6/2025: €5 million).
In life insurance, premiums written – including the savings portions from unit-linked and index-linked products – were up by 2.6 per cent to €886 million (1 – 6/2025: €863 million). At the same time, the contribution to earnings before taxes improved to €126 million (1 – 6/2025: €108 million).
The contractual service margin increased to €6,317 million (1 January 2026: €5,879 million). This balance sheet item – new since IFRS 17 – represents the profits expected from insurance contracts in future.
UNIQA’s technical result fell slightly by 4.9 per cent to €360 million (1 – 6/2025: €378 million).
Net investment income improved significantly by 46.7 per cent to €587 million (1 – 6/2025: €400 million), while the financial result effectively doubled to €176 million (1 – 6/2025: €88 million).
Earnings per share rose from €0.76 to €0.84, with consolidated profit increasing by 11.1 per cent to €258 million. Return on equity rose to 16.3 per cent (1 – 6/2025: 15.7 per cent). The solvency capital requirement (SCR) ratio under Solvency II remained nearly unchanged at a high 271 per cent (31 December 2025: 275 per cent).
In this video, Kurt Svoboda, Chief Financial and Risk Officer at UNIQA Insurance Group AG, explains the latest results.
Business outlook
For the 2026 financial year, UNIQA’s focus remains on strong growth coupled with attractive underwriting margins in its two core markets, Austria and CEE, as well as on the gradual, profitable expansion of its external reinsurance business. The geopolitical situation remains unstable. At the same time, an increase in weather-related damage is expected. The forecast for future business performance is therefore subject to uncertainty. Barring any exceptionally high, adverse impacts from natural disasters or capital market turmoil, UNIQA confirms its outlook for the full financial year 2026 on the basis of the excellent business performance in the first half of the year and expects earnings before taxes of between €540 million and 570 million. UNIQA also remains committed to its strategy of a payout ratio of 50 to 60 per cent. On the basis of an annually increasing dividend per share, shareholders are to continue to be offered a progressive and attractive participation in the company’s success.
Clause regarding predictions about the future
This press release contains statements which refer to the future development of UNIQA. These statements present estimations which were reached on the basis of all of the information available at the present time. If the assumptions on which they are based do not occur, the actual results may vary from the results currently expected. This is why no guarantee can be provided for the information given.