Security Services in the Netherlands

How to Become a Licensed Security Guard in the Netherlands

Private security in the Netherlands is governed by the Wpbr. A security organization needs a license from the Minister of Justice and Security, applied for through Justis, and each employee needs prior consent from the chief of police (korpschef) after screening, an SVPB Beveiliger (Security Officer) diploma or an equivalent diploma, and a police-issued identification card while working.

Competent authorities and legislation: Justis (the screening authority of the Ministry of Justice and Security) for organization licenses and consent for managers; the chief of police (korpschef) for employee consent and identification cards. Legislation: Private Security Organizations and Detective Agencies Act (Wet particuliere beveiligingsorganisaties en recherchebureaus, Wpbr) of 24 October 1997, with the Private Security Organizations and Detective Agencies Regulation (Regeling particuliere beveiligingsorganisaties en recherchebureaus, Rpbr) and the Policy Rules (Beleidsregels, Bpbr). justis.nl

Requirements for Employees

• Prior consent from the chief of police for every employee, including staff who do not perform security work
• Police screening for reliability: a conviction in the past 8 years resulting in a suspended or unsuspended prison sentence, or in the past 4 years resulting in a fine or community service order, and other facts showing that a person is not sufficiently reliable, can lead to refusal
• SVPB Beveiliger (Security Officer) diploma (MBO level) or an equivalent diploma listed in the Rpbr; diplomas from other EU member states can be recognized through Justis
• Trainees in the SVPB Beveiliger work-based training program may work without a diploma for 12 months from their first security work, with a statement from the SVPB and only for the organization where they are being trained
• Officers who work without a uniform, such as close protection officers and store detectives, need an additional SVPB certificate or specialization diploma
• In exceptional cases, Justis can grant an exemption from the diploma requirement, through a separate application form
• No minimum age was found in the text of the Wpbr

Application Steps

1. Obtain the SVPB Beveiliger diploma or an equivalent diploma, or enroll as a trainee in the SVPB work-based training program
2. Start work with a licensed security organization; the organization applies to the chief of police for consent through the police website (fee EUR 60 per employee)
3. Complete the police screening
4. After approval, the employer applies to the chief of police for an identification card (fee EUR 26)
5. Always carry the identification card while working and, in uniformed roles, wear the approved uniform with the V emblem

Agency Licensing

All security work requires a license from the Minister of Justice and Security, applied for through Justis; after approval the organization receives an ND number. The license costs EUR 600, plus EUR 92 per manager for the separate consent for managers. The license is valid for a maximum of 5 years, can be renewed each time for a maximum of 5 years and is not transferable (a change of legal form requires a new license). The Minister must decide within 13 weeks. Uniforms must be approved by the Minister and carry the V emblem. Self-employed individuals (zzp’ers) who work under the responsibility, uniform and identification card of a licensed organization do not need their own license.

The Wpbr does not regulate firearms; weapons in general fall under the separate Weapons and Ammunition Act (Wet wapens en munitie). Under the Wpbr, employees may not carry handcuffs unless the Minister has given permission. Even then, they may use them only in limited situations while awaiting the police, and must report every use.

Organization license: apply for renewal 3 months before the license expires. Consent for an employee is valid for a maximum of 3 years of work. The identification card is valid for a maximum of 3 years (a maximum of 12 months for trainees); apply for a new one no later than 3 months before it expires. When an employee stops doing security work, the employer must return the identification card to the chief of police, or a fine may follow.

Sources

• Justis: Private security and investigation
• Justis: Applying for a license
• Justis: Consent for employees
• Justis: Training requirements
• Justis: What is the Wpbr
• Wpbr full text (wetten.overheid.nl)
• Weapons and Ammunition Act (Wet wapens en munitie) full text (wetten.overheid.nl)
• Ondernemersplein: Consent and identification cards for employees
• Ondernemersplein: Step-by-step plan for starting a private security company

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