OBS_VALUE: Non-EU firms must appoint a resident Italian representative, establish a secondary office in Italy and obtain authorisation by IVASS. Authorisation for non-EU insurers requires local presence. EU insurers are allowed to provide insurance cross-border into Italy under the freedom to provide services; this freedom is expressly prohibited for third party providers (Article 29). Directive 2009/138/EC on the taking-up and pursuit of the business of Insurance and Reinsurance establishes that EEA insurers may provide cross-border insurance services into other EEA countries. However, whether commercial presence is required or not for non-EEA firms depends on national law. For the conditions of the establishment of branches of non-EEA firms in a Member States, please see Article 162 of the EU Directive.