Security guard services

Security Guard Services in Finland

Finland’s most expensive retail space is in central Helsinki, on Pohjoisesplanadi and Eteläesplanadi, on Aleksanterinkatu and in Kluuvi. Corporate headquarters are concentrated in central Helsinki, Ruoholahti, Pasila and Keilaniemi in Espoo, and there are large shopping centers throughout the Helsinki metropolitan area.

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Security Considerations in Finland

Client sites in Finland are often street level stores in central Helsinki, office reception desks and stores in shopping centers in the Helsinki metropolitan area, Tampere and Turku. The security program applies the same Post Orders, the same supervision and the same reporting model at every site. The working language is Finnish, and Swedish and English are needed especially in central Helsinki and at the reception desks of international companies.

Tourism peaks in summer and during the Christmas season, when stores in central Helsinki and tourist destinations in Lapland have more customers. Winter affects the work: darkness, icy surfaces and cold must be taken into account in outdoor work and in monitoring access routes. The coverage plan includes relief officers, additional staffing for the peak season and procedures agreed with the shopping centers’ own security staff.

  • Pohjoisesplanadi
  • Eteläesplanadi
  • Aleksanterinkatu
  • Kluuvi
  • Kamppi
  • Ruoholahti
  • Pasila and Tripla
  • Keilaniemi
  • Iso Omena
  • Aviapolis

How Coverage Works in Finland

McCray designs the program, and officers follow McCray Post Orders.

How to Become a Licensed Security Guard in Finland

In Finland, private security guards must be approved by the police before they start guarding work, and the companies that employ them need a security sector business license from the National Police Board. Approval as a guard requires basic guard training and a finding that the applicant is honest, reliable and suitable, and it is valid for a maximum of five years.

Regulator: Poliisihallitus (National Police Board, security sector supervision) grants business licenses, and police departments approve guards. Law: Act on Private Security Services (Laki yksityisistä turvallisuuspalveluista) 1085/2015, as amended by Act 652/2016. suomi.fi

Requirements

  • Age at least 18 and at most 68
  • Honest, reliable and otherwise suitable for the role
  • Successful completion of basic guard training (at least 120 lessons), including at least 40 lessons of temporary guard training
  • Certificate of training in the use of a use-of-force instrument
  • Obedience test result for any dog that accompanies the guard at work
  • A photo that meets passport photo requirements

Application Steps

  1. Complete basic guard training (at least 120 lessons) and training in the use of a use-of-force instrument
  2. Apply for approval from the police through the police e-services or by visiting a police station or police service point
  3. Attach copies of training certificates, any dog obedience test result and a passport photo to the application
  4. Pay the fee set by decree of the Ministry of the Interior
  5. Receive approval as a guard, valid for a maximum of five years

Agency Licensing

A security sector business license from the National Police Board (security sector supervision, Mikkeli) is required before private security services are provided. The applicant may be a natural person operating as a sole trader or a legal person, such as a limited company or a partnership; a legal person must be entered in the Trade Register and have a Business ID (Y-tunnus). The license holder’s responsible persons, responsible managers, their deputies and temporary responsible managers must also be approved, as must instructors in the use of force, firearms and security protection (turvasuojaus). The license is valid indefinitely, and a fee is charged for it.

The 2016 amending act refers to section 19, subsection 2 of the Act, which concerns demonstrating firearm handling and shooting skills, and allows the Ministry of the Interior to issue more detailed provisions by decree. The source used did not mention more detailed requirements.

Approval as a guard is valid for a maximum of five years. Under section 10 as amended by Act 652/2016, a new approval revokes any earlier approval still in force, and a person whose earlier training corresponds to basic guard training may be approved again if the application is made before the earlier approval expires.

Sources

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

Cities in Finland

Coverage in other localities is arranged on request.

Regions of Finland

  • Uusimaa
  • Southwest Finland
  • Satakunta
  • Kanta-Häme
  • Pirkanmaa
  • Päijät-Häme
  • Kymenlaakso
  • South Karelia
  • South Savo
  • North Savo
  • North Karelia
  • Central Finland
  • South Ostrobothnia
  • Ostrobothnia
  • Central Ostrobothnia
  • North Ostrobothnia
  • Kainuu
  • Lapland
  • Åland

Frequently Asked Questions

What Languages Do the Officers Speak?

Officers work in Finnish. For sites that need Swedish or English, such as city center stores, hotels and the reception desks of international companies, officers with the necessary language skills are selected and the requirement is recorded in the site’s Post Orders.

See the Europe overview for other countries.

Talk to Us About Coverage in Finland

Call (833) 832-6647 or request an assessment online.

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