Security business - apply for a licence

Anyone who wants to guard the lives and property of other people on a commercial basis needs a licence.

Description

Anyone who performs guarding tasks as an employee does not require their own guarding licence. However, the following applies to this group of persons:

  • The entrepreneur is obliged to register all persons who are to carry out security tasks on behalf of the company in advance with the trade authority via the security guard register.
  • Employees, temporary staff and part-time workers with guarding duties must prove that they are of legal age, reliable and qualified (e.g. through IHK training certificates, IHK professional examinations, examination certificates as IHK-certified plant security master or IHK-certified plant security specialist, professional qualifications for the police law enforcement service, the prison service or as military police).

Required documents

  • Identity card or passport
  • for legal entities: additional copy of extract from the commercial register (with all entries)
  • Expertise examination (IHK) or comparable examination certificates
  • Proof of liability insurance (in accordance with the Guarding Ordinance)
  • Draft service licence (in accordance with the Guarding Ordinance)
  • Draft service instructions (in accordance with the Guarding Ordinance)

Further documents that are requested directly by the trade authority:

Duration & Costs

Processing time

8 to 10 weeks

Fees

600 - 1000 euros (depending on the scope of the licence)
In addition, there are fees for registering or re-registering the business.

Questions & Answers

The work of a detective does not fall under surveillance law, as this task focuses on investigation and observation.

A self-employed department stores' detective, on the other hand, does require a licence, as the main purpose of this job is to guard other people's property.

In the case of non-German nationals (especially those outside the EU), the legal provisions governing foreign nationals must be observed when taking up self-employment. Information can be obtained from the Foreigners Office.

  • Previous convictions or other serious negative findings about the applicant
  • insufficient proof of funds
  • disorganised financial circumstances
  • lack of proof of qualification
  • lack of proof of insurance

Yes, employers are obliged to register all persons who are to carry out security tasks on behalf of the company in advance via the Security Guard Register of the Federal Office of Economics and Export Control. Further information can be found here.

In the case of non-German nationals (especially those from outside the EU), the provisions of immigration law must be observed when taking up self-employment. Information can be obtained from the Foreigners Office.

A permit may be refused if

  • Previous convictions or other serious negative findings about the applicant
  • disorderly financial circumstances
  • lack of proof of qualification
  • lack of proof of insurance

Legal basis

§34a Industrial Code

Guarding ordinance

Landeshauptstadt München

Kreisverwaltungsreferat
Hauptabteilung III
Gewerbeangelegenheiten und Verbraucherschutz
Gewerbemeldungen, Zentrale Dienste, Anmeldung ProstSchG

Internet

Postal address

Landeshauptstadt München
Kreisverwaltungsreferat
Hauptabteilung III
Gewerbeangelegenheiten und Verbraucherschutz
Gewerbemeldungen, Zentrale Dienste, Anmeldung ProstSchG

Ruppertstraße 19
80466 München

Fax: +49 89 233-45173

Address

Implerstraße 11
81371 München

By appointment only

Related services

Register guard

Persons who carry out guarding tasks as employees are subject to mandatory registration.