Managed security services in Malta

How to become a licensed security guard in Malta

Private guards and private guard agencies in Malta must be licensed by the Commissioner of Police under the Private Guards and Community Officers Act (Chapter 389). Licences last one year and are renewable yearly on payment of a prescribed fee.

Regulator: Kummissarju tal-Pulizija (Commissioner of Police, Malta Police Force). Law: Private Guards and Community Officers Act, Chapter 389 of the Laws of Malta (base act: Act XIII of 1996, in force 15 June 1996, as amended). pulicija.gov.mt

Requirements

• Written application to the Commissioner of Police with identity details, date and place of birth, work history, qualifications and a declaration of no conflicting interest (Art. 6(3))
• Refusal grounds include convictions for serious violent or property crimes, crimes against public trust and other serious crimes; a conviction for a crime against the person or property counts if the application is made within five years of the offence (Art. 10(a))
• An application may also be refused for bankruptcy or a precarious financial position, dismissal from the Police, armed forces or prison service for an offence, certain serving public officers or service members, lack of prescribed qualifications, or the public interest (Art. 10)
• Qualifications, fees and course approval are set by regulations made by the Minister (Art. 24); the Act itself does not state a minimum age, citizenship or residence rule, training hours or exam

Application steps

1. Submit a written application with the required details to the Commissioner of Police (Art. 6)
2. The Commissioner publishes notice of the application in the Government Gazette within fifteen days of receiving it (Art. 7)
3. Any person may object in writing within one month of the notice, on the grounds listed in Art. 10 (Art. 8)
4. The Commissioner issues or refuses the licence within four weeks after the objection period ends (Art. 9)
5. A refusal is given in writing with reasons, or with a statement that it was refused in the public interest, and may be appealed to the Administrative Review Tribunal within one calendar month (Art. 11)

Agency licensing

Private guard agencies apply to the Commissioner under the same procedure, giving identity and business details, the nature of their activities, a declaration of no conflicting interest, relevant experience and, if they traded before, three years of financial statements (Art. 6(2)). An agency may not provide anyone for guard duties who is not a licensed private guard (Art. 5). Anyone seeking to provide specialised private guard services needs the Commissioner’s prior authorisation (Art. 6(8)).

The Act does not regulate firearms licensing. Specialised private guards may refuse entry to people who do not identify themselves or who cause or are likely to cause a disturbance, search people entering guarded premises for weapons, seize such objects from people who threaten others with them, and detain such persons until the Police arrive, using only minimum force (Art. 12B).

Licences are valid for one year from issue and renewable yearly on payment of the prescribed fee, and may be limited to particular services (Art. 12). The Commissioner may suspend or withdraw a licence for breach of conditions or where grounds for refusal arise (Art. 13).

Sources

• Private Guards and Community Officers Act, Cap. 389, legislation.mt
• Cap. 389 consolidated PDF, legislation.mt

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