Principle of authorisation

1.  The taking-up of the business of direct insurance or reinsurance covered by this Directive shall be subject to prior authorisation.

2.  The authorisation referred to in paragraph 1 shall be sought from the supervisory authorities of the home Member State by the following:

(a) any undertaking which is establishing its head office within the territory of that Member State; or

(b) any insurance undertaking which, having received an authorisation pursuant to paragraph 1, wishes to extend its business to an entire insurance class or to insurance classes other than those already authorised.