The fragmented regulatory landscape in the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) countries is often cited as a challenge for the insurance sector in the region. As international insurers, reinsurers, brokers and insurance sector players seek to expand their operations, we are often asked to advise on the regimes across the region. However, the regulatory regimes across the GCC countries are consistent in their prohibition of unlicensed entities carrying on insurance business in those countries even if the enforcement differs in practice. We consider in this article the regional requirements and the structures that can be utilised to ensure continued compliance with the regulations.