Security Guard Services in Angola

How to Become a Licensed Security Guard in Angola

Private security in Angola is regulated by Law No. 10/14 of 30 July and its Regulations, approved by Presidential Decree No. 225/17. The Holder of Executive Power authorizes companies, the National Police issues the company license (alvará), and security guards receive a professional card from the National Police after an approved training course and an examination supervised by the police.

Regulator: Polícia Nacional de Angola (Angolan National Police), Direcção Nacional de Ordem Pública (National Directorate of Public Order). Applicable law: Law No. 10/14 of 30 July (Private Security Companies Law); Regulations approved by Presidential Decree No. 225/17 of 27 September, as amended by Presidential Decree No. 4/22 of 6 January. lex.ao/docs/assembleia-nacional/2014/lei-n-o-10-14-de-30-de-julho

Requirements for Security Guards

• Angolan nationality (Law No. 10/14, Art. 8)
• No final conviction for a crime above the prison sentence threshold set in the Law; a criminal record certificate is required (Law No. 10/14, Art. 8)
• Physical fitness and the necessary psychological profile, proven by a fitness certificate and a mandatory psychological examination (Law No. 10/14, Art. 8)
• Completion of compulsory military service (Law No. 10/14, Art. 8)
• Certificate of residence (Law No. 10/14, Art. 8)
• Age between 18 and 55 (Regulations, Art. 21)
• Minimum schooling equivalent to the first cycle of primary education (Regulations, Art. 21)
• Initial qualification course lasting at least 60 days at an authorized training center (Regulations, Art. 33)
• Examination prepared and supervised by the National Police (Regulations, Art. 35)
• Technical refresher course every three years (Regulations, Art. 29), lasting 30 days for personnel with at least three years of service (Regulations, Art. 33)

Steps to Obtain the Professional Card

1. Meet the eligibility requirements: Angolan nationality, age between 18 and 55, minimum schooling and completed military service
2. Obtain the criminal record certificate, the certificate of residence and the physical and psychological fitness assessments
3. Complete the initial qualification course of at least 60 days at a public or private training center authorized by the Commander General of the National Police
4. Pass the examination supervised by National Police personnel
5. Receive the professional card issued by the National Police
6. Receive the identification card from the employing company, valid for one year and renewable for as long as the employment relationship lasts

Agency Licensing

Companies need authorization from the Holder of Executive Power (Law No. 10/14, Art. 25), who decides within 30 days after the complete file is submitted (Art. 28). Before starting operations, the company must show, within 90 days (extendable once), suitable premises, uniform designs, a security director and payment of the license fee; the National Police then issues the license (alvará) (Arts. 28 and 29). Under the Regulations, the license is issued by the National Directorate of Public Order, is valid for 5 years and is renewable for equal periods. Renewal requires identification documents for the partners and managers, a National Police report, an updated inventory of weapons and ammunition, updated individual personnel files and a medical certificate for each security guard (Regulations, Arts. 12 and 13).

Security guards on duty may carry a light, small firearm with the company’s authorization, and the Commander General of the National Police may limit the number of weapons per company (Law No. 10/14, Art. 18). Security guards may carry defensive weapons only while on duty and need a specific license from the National Police, valid for one year and renewable (Regulations, Arts. 46 and 47). Firearms may only be used in cases of extreme necessity (Art. 40); loss or theft must be reported to the National Police within 24 hours (Art. 49); transferring weapons between provinces requires prior police authorization (Art. 50).

Company license: 5 years, renewable. Security guard’s weapon license: 1 year, renewable. Company identification card: 1 year, renewable. Refresher training every three years.

Sources

• Lex.ao: Law No. 10/14 of 30 July (Private Security Companies Law)
• Lex.ao: Presidential Decree No. 225/17 of 27 September
• Lex.ao: Presidential Decree No. 4/22 of 6 January
• AngoLEX: Regulations of the Private Security Companies Law

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