Security Guard Services in Montenegro

How to Become a Licensed Security Guard in Montenegro

Private security in Montenegro is governed by the Law on the Protection of Persons and Property (Zakon o zaštiti lica i imovine). The Police Administration issues work permits to individuals and approvals to legal entities, and the Ministry of Interior supervises the activity and administers the professional exam.

Competent authority: Ministry of Interior (Ministarstvo unutrašnjih poslova), for supervision and the professional exam; Police Administration (Uprava policije), for work permits and approvals. Regulation: Law on the Protection of Persons and Property, Official Gazette of Montenegro (Sl. list CG) No. 43/2018. gov.me

Requirements

• Permanent residence or approved stay in Montenegro; the law does not set a citizenship requirement (Art. 29)
• At least 18 years of age (Art. 29)
• Medical fitness proven by a certificate from a competent health institution (Art. 30)
• No final conviction and no pending criminal proceedings for a criminal offense prosecuted ex officio (Art. 29)
• No recent misdemeanor involving violence or under weapons regulations, and no protective measure banning the activity or confiscating weapons (Art. 29)
• No signs of possible misuse, such as alcohol or drug use or a tendency toward confrontational behavior, which the Police Administration checks with the person’s consent (Art. 29)
• Basic knowledge of the Montenegrin language, spoken and written (Art. 29)
• Education level according to the type of permit: guards level I to II; technical security officers level IV; other permit types level III or IV (Art. 29)
• Professional training with a licensed adult education provider, with a certificate of professional competence (Art. 31)
• Passed professional exam before a commission formed by the Minister of Interior; the Ministry sets the program, exam procedure and fees, and the candidate bears the costs (Art. 32)
• Exemption from the exam and training for permit types 1, 2, 4 and 5 (except technical security officers) for persons with three years of experience in the police, security, defense or enforcement of criminal sanctions, or with military or police education (Art. 29(4), Art. 31(2))

Application Steps

1. Choose the required permit type: guard, security officer for persons and property, technical security officer, bodyguard or valuables escort (Art. 28)
2. Complete a professional training program with a licensed adult education provider and obtain a certificate of professional competence, unless exempt (Art. 31)
3. Pass the professional exam before the Ministry of Interior commission, unless exempt (Art. 32)
4. Obtain a certificate of medical fitness from a competent health institution (Art. 30)
5. Submit the work permit application in person to the Police Administration (Art. 33)
6. If refused, file an appeal with the Ministry of Interior within eight days of receiving the decision (Art. 34)

Agency Licensing

Companies, other legal entities and sole proprietors must hold an approval issued by the Police Administration on request, valid for seven years (Art. 18). Conditions include an employed responsible person for security work; acts on the organization and job classification, the logo and the uniform; at least four permit holders (types 1, 2, 4 or 5) for physical security, or at least two technical security officers and one employee with a level VII1 qualification in electrical engineering for technical security; suitable business premises; proof of fire protection; secure storage of weapons and ammunition if physical security or transport of valuables is provided; and an extract from the Central Register of Business Entities (Art. 19). Supervision and inspection are carried out by the Ministry of Interior (Art. 73).

Legal entities may acquire firearms and ammunition for employees in physical security or cash transport in accordance with weapons regulations and must store them at their registered office or place of business (Art. 16). Firearms may be used only by holders of a type 2 permit (security officer for persons and property) and a type 5 permit (valuables escort), and only when life or property cannot be protected by other means of force and there is an immediate danger (Art. 53). Guards (type 1) may use only physical force, an irritant spray, a baton and restraints, and bodyguards may not use firearms (Art. 47).

Individual work permits are issued for five years and may be renewed; the renewal application must be filed no later than 30 days before expiry (Art. 33). Approvals for legal entities are valid for seven years (Art. 18).

Sources

• Zakon o zaštiti lica i imovine (Law on the Protection of Persons and Property, Sl. list CG 43/2018), Paragraf legal database text
• Ministry of Interior of Montenegro (Ministarstvo unutrašnjih poslova), official website

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