Security Guards in Paraguay

How to Become a Licensed Security Guard in Paraguay

Private security in Paraguay is governed by Law No. 5424 of 2015, which regulates private surveillance and security services. The National Police enforces it through its Enforcement and Oversight Body for Security and Related Companies, which authorizes companies and training centers, inspects them and verifies guards’ identification documents.

Regulator: National Police, Enforcement and Oversight Body for Security and Related Companies (Policía Nacional, Órgano de Aplicación y Fiscalización de Empresas de Seguridad y Afines). Applicable law: Law No. 5424, which regulates the provision of surveillance and security services for persons and property in the field of private security (Ley N° 5424, enacted June 19, 2015, published July 1, 2015). policianacional.gov.py

Requirements for Guards

• Paraguayan nationality, or foreign nationality with permanent legal residence (Art. 17)
• Legal age (Art. 17; the law does not set a specific age, and the firearms law applies where firearms are involved)
• Not be an active member of the public forces or a serving public official (Art. 17)
• Minimum education: completion of the third cycle of basic school education (Art. 17)
• No criminal or police record (Art. 17)
• Physical and psychological fitness (Art. 17)
• Certificate of completion of the basic private security guard course (Art. 17); training centers are authorized and supervised by the oversight body (Art. 90)
• A guard who has been inactive for more than one year must take a refresher course (Art. 18)
• Only persons who work for duly authorized security companies, wearing the company uniform and insignia approved by the oversight body, may perform guard duties (Art. 20)
• Operational personnel must carry their identification documents at all times (Art. 69, para. h)

Steps to Work as a Guard

1. Gather proof of nationality or permanent residence, education level, absence of a criminal and police record, and physical and psychological fitness
2. Pass the basic private security guard course at an authorized training center and obtain the certificate
3. Be hired by a security company authorized under Law No. 5424
4. Carry identification documents at all times while on duty

Agency Licensing

Companies submit their application to the oversight body through their legal representative or board of directors, with the documents listed in Art. 7. These include the notarized deed of incorporation, the police and judicial records of each board member, tax and employer registrations, the municipal license, a description of weapons, communications, vehicles and uniforms, the internal regulations, the floor plan of the premises, and civil liability and life insurance (Art. 7). The minimum capital is 300 minimum wages for physical or logical security, 1,000 for electronic security and 2,000 for custody and transport of valuables (Art. 8). Facilities and equipment are inspected in person (Art. 9), and the decision must be issued within 10 days (Art. 10). Changes in shareholders, capital, bylaws or management must be reported within 15 business days (Art. 14).

Weapons must be owned by the company and registered and authorized by the competent agencies (Art. 63). Each company may hold no more than one weapon per guard on its payroll (Art. 65) and must store weapons and ammunition in a secure, restricted-access location (Art. 64). Revolvers up to .357 caliber and shotguns up to 12 gauge are permitted. Cash-in-transit companies may also use pistols up to 9 mm and long guns up to 5.56 mm, and authorized personal protection officers may carry pistols up to 9 mm (Art. 62). Guards may carry weapons only within the premises they protect, and never off duty, on public roads or on public transportation (Arts. 22 and 23).

The law does not set a validity period for the license. Companies are normally inspected once a year, and additional inspections may be carried out at any time; a renewal certificate is issued after a satisfactory inspection. Irregularities lead to temporary suspension until they are corrected (Art. 73). A company that has been inactive for more than two years loses its authorization, although it may apply again (Art. 98).

Sources

• Law No. 5424 (Ley N° 5424), Library and Central Archive of the National Congress (BACN)
• National Police of Paraguay (official site)
• ABC Color: Who regulates private security companies in Paraguay? (2023)

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