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Security licensing requirements in Germany

In Germany, security licensing is handled by the competent local authority (zuständige Behörde). XGuard requires guards working in Germany to provide security license. Agencies are asked for security license. These are the documents XGuard asks agencies in Germany to hold before they can list. XGuard checks them and never provides or arranges coverage. The license itself is issued by the competent local authority (zuständige Behörde). Independent professionals and agencies both list on XGuard; local rules decide who must hold which license.

How licensing works in Germany

Who licenses

The competent local authority (zuständige Behörde) under section 34a of the Trade Regulation Code (Gewerbeordnung, GewO); the Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Industrie- und Handelskammer, IHK) run the instruction certificates and exams.

Who needs a license

Every guard employed by a security business needs an IHK certificate of instruction (Unterrichtung). Guards doing certain tasks also need the full expert examination (Sachkundeprüfung): patrols in public traffic areas or areas with actual public traffic, shoplifter protection, entrance control at discotheques, and, in a leading function, guarding of asylum accommodation and of access-protected large events. The business owner or the person managing the business must pass the examination.

Steps

  1. Be employed by, or own, a licensed security business; guards work as employees, and a self-employed person needs the owner's examination.
  2. Instruction: at least 40 lessons of 45 minutes at an IHK, taught in German at level B1. How long the certificate stays valid: varies — check your IHK (https://www.ihk.de/aachen/bildung/sach-und-fachkunde/unterrichtung-fuer-beschaeftigte-im-bewachungsgewerbe-604608).
  3. Or pass the Sachkundeprüfung when your tasks require it; exam content and fee: varies — check your IHK (https://www.ihk.de/aachen/bildung/sach-und-fachkunde/unterrichtung-fuer-beschaeftigte-im-bewachungsgewerbe-604608).
  4. Reliability check: the authority obtains trade-register and criminal-record extracts, a police statement and a state intelligence statement, and repeats the check at least every five years.
  5. The employer registers staff in the Bewacherregister (security-guard register), run by the Federal Statistical Office since 1 June 2019.

Typical timeline

varies — check the local authority and your IHK (https://www.ihk.de/aachen/bildung/sach-und-fachkunde/unterrichtung-fuer-beschaeftigte-im-bewachungsgewerbe-604608).

Documents XGuard checks

  • Security licenseRequired, expires

These are the documents XGuard asks agencies in Germany to hold before they can list. XGuard checks them and never provides or arranges coverage. The license itself is issued by the competent local authority (zuständige Behörde).

Wages and verification

Germany Minimum Wage.

competent local authority (zuständige Behörde) website

No public register is confirmed. The Bewacherregister serves businesses and section 34a authorities, not clients.

XGuard verifies licenses by document review and, where the regulator publishes a lookup, against that lookup.

Frequently asked

Who issues security licenses in Germany?

Security licenses in Germany are issued by the competent local authority (zuständige Behörde).

Does a security agency need its own license in Germany?

XGuard asks agencies in Germany for: Security license. These are the documents XGuard asks agencies in Germany to hold before they can list. XGuard checks them and never provides or arranges coverage. The license itself is issued by the competent local authority (zuständige Behörde).

Next steps

Sources

Last verified: July 2, 2026

XGuard is a marketplace. It does not employ security professionals or issue licenses, and it does not promise work. Requirements change, so confirm with the regulator before you apply.

Regions in Germany