Security Guard Services in Greece

How to Become a Licensed Security Guard in Greece

Private security services in Greece are governed by Law 2518/1997. A company needs an operating license from Hellenic Police Headquarters, and every security worker needs a personal Category A or B work license, while carrying firearms is prohibited except for limited licensed exceptions.

Regulator and law: Hellenic Police: the Police Directorate of the prefecture or the Security Directorate of the place of residence for individual work licenses, and Hellenic Police Headquarters for company licenses. Law: Law 2518/1997 on private security services companies. taxheaven.gr

Requirements for Security Workers

• Personal Category A or B work license, depending on the duties
• Meeting the personal requirements of Article 2, paragraph 1, including a minimum age of 18
• Greek citizen, person of Greek origin or citizen of an EU member state
• No final conviction for the listed offenses (including theft, fraud, forgery, bribery, extortion, and drug, weapons and explosives offenses) and no final sentence of imprisonment of more than six months for any intentional offense; not held in pretrial detention or committed to trial for a felony or a listed offense
• Not suffering from a mental illness or using drugs, not under judicial guardianship and not deprived of civil rights
• Not a manufacturer of or dealer in weapons, ammunition or explosives
• A vocational training certificate in a specialty related to the duties, as set by joint ministerial decision for each license category
• Anyone who will carry a firearm must have fulfilled military service obligations

Application Steps

1. Obtain a vocational training certificate accepted for the relevant license category
2. Apply for a work license to the Police Directorate of the prefecture or the Security Directorate of the place of residence, with the supporting documents set by the ministerial decision
3. If the application is refused, appeal to the competent General Police Director within 10 days of notification
4. Once licensed, the holder works only for a licensed company; by the last day of each month, the company must notify the local police of the staff it will employ the following month and their work license numbers

Agency Licensing

The operating license is issued by the Chief of Staff of Hellenic Police Headquarters after the opinion of a three-member committee. For legal entities, the license is issued in the name of the legal entity, and the personal requirements apply to board members and their representatives, partners, managers and shareholders holding 15% or more. A change of legal form requires a new license. The license is valid for 5 years, is not transferable and is renewed for equal periods. A refusal may be appealed to the Deputy Chief of the Hellenic Police within 10 days. The company name must include the phrase “Private Security Services Company” and must not suggest a connection with a public authority, in particular the Police. Dogs may not be used in public or common areas, only inside guarded buildings and properties or in fenced areas.

Carrying and possessing firearms is prohibited for the staff and representatives of security companies. As an exception, for special security reasons, a license to carry a revolver or pistol may be granted to staff guarding public buildings, banks, museums, sites requiring special protection, public utilities or other high-value facilities (with a weapon lawfully held by the guarded client), or to staff transporting cash and valuables (with a weapon lawfully held by the company’s legal representative). Staff must first pass medical examinations and theoretical and practical training at Hellenic Police schools, with retraining at least every three years, at the company’s expense. Weapons are kept in a secure place by their lawful holder, handed over at the start of duty and returned immediately afterward, and every use is reported to the police in writing.

The work license is personal and valid for 5 years, renewable for equal periods as long as the requirements continue to be met. The company license is also valid for 5 years and is renewed for equal periods.

Sources

• Law 2518/1997, Article 2 (TaxHeaven)
• Law 2518/1997, Article 3 (TaxHeaven)
• Law 2518/1997, Article 4 (TaxHeaven)
• Law 2518/1997, Article 5 (TaxHeaven)
• Law 2518/1997, Article 8 (TaxHeaven)

Rules change. Confirm current rules with the official regulator before applying. This summary is general information, not legal advice. Last reviewed November 2026.