Security company licence: how to check it is valid
Ask the company for its operating licence and check the date: under Greek Law 2518/1997 it is valid for five years, cannot be transferred, and is renewed only if the conditions still hold. The licence number must appear on the company’s documents, and every guard it sends must hold a personal work licence, category A or B. Civil liability insurance is not required by the law, so you ask for it in the contract.
Updated: 5 min readSources: 3
Which law governs a security company’s licence in Greece?
Law 2518/1997 (ΦΕΚ Α΄ 164) on private security services companies. The operating licence is issued at Hellenic Police headquarters.
The consolidated text of Law 2518/1997 is published by the Hellenic Police and includes the changes made by Law 5187/2025. The law sets two separate licences: the company’s operating licence and a work licence for each member of the security staff.
According to the Hellenic Police guide, the operating licence is issued at police headquarters. Since 1 February 2026 the competent officer is the Deputy Chief (Β΄ Υπαρχηγός), under article 99 §3(β) of Law 5187/2025.
How long is a security company’s operating licence valid?
Five years. It can be renewed for another five only if the company still meets the conditions, and it cannot be transferred to another business.
Article 2 §3 of Law 2518/1997 makes the operating licence non-transferable, valid for five years, and renewable for another five as long as the conditions still apply. The renewal application is due at least one month before expiry.
- Check the issue date: a licence issued five or more years ago must have been renewed.
- Check the holder’s name: the licence must be in the name of the company signing the contract, not a related or earlier business.
- If expiry is close: ask whether a renewal application has been filed.
Where must a security company show its licence number?
On its documents. Its registered name must also include the phrase «ιδιωτική επιχείρηση παροχής υπηρεσιών ασφαλείας» (private security services company).
Article 4 §1(α) of Law 2518/1997, as amended by article 159 of Law 5187/2025, requires the company to carry the phrase «ιδιωτική επιχείρηση παροχής υπηρεσιών ασφαλείας» in its name and its operating licence number on its documents.
An offer, invoice or contract without a licence number is the first question you ask — before the price.
Does every security guard need a licence too?
Yes. Every member of the security staff needs a personal work licence, category A or B, valid for five years and renewable.
Under article 3 §1 and §6 of Law 2518/1997, the work licence is personal: it belongs to the guard, not to the company. A company with a valid operating licence can lawfully send you only guards whose own licences are in date.
The law (article 4) also requires the company to send the police, every month, a list of its staff with each person’s work-licence number and post. So the numbers already exist — giving them to you is no burden.
What should I ask a security company for before I sign?
A copy of the operating licence with its date, the licence number on the offer, and the work-licence numbers of the guards who will cover your site.
- Operating licence: a copy, with the issue or renewal date, in the name of the company that signs.
- Licence number on documents: on the offer, the contract and the invoices.
- Registered name: it must include «ιδιωτική επιχείρηση παροχής υπηρεσιών ασφαλείας».
- Work licences: number and category (A or B) for every guard assigned to your site, and notice whenever a guard changes.
- Insurance: a civil liability policy, with the amount and cover written into the contract.
Run these checks before you sign. For the other selection criteria — supervision, stable people, reporting, the contract — and for price, which counts only as a reason to reject an offer that cannot cover lawful pay for the hours, see OVIT’s guarding services or request a proposal.
Is there a public register to look up a security company?
We could not verify a public register of licensed companies in the official sources we checked. So the check relies on the documents the company itself gives you.
If you are told “you can find us on a list”, ask for the link and make sure it is an official source. The authority that issues the operating licence is the Hellenic Police; a reliable company has no reason to delay showing you its licence.
Is civil liability insurance mandatory for a security company?
Law 2518/1997 does not require it. That is why you must ask for it explicitly in the contract, with an amount and cover.
Because civil liability insurance is not a legal obligation of the guarding company, your only protection is the contract term. Write down who is liable for damage during guarding and the insured amount, and ask for a copy of the policy.
At a glance
- The operating licence is valid for five years, cannot be transferred, and is renewed only if the conditions still hold (Law 2518/1997, art. 2 §3).
- The licence number must appear on the company’s documents, and its name must include «ιδιωτική επιχείρηση παροχής υπηρεσιών ασφαλείας».
- Every guard needs a personal five-year work licence, category A or B — ask for the numbers.
- The company reports its staff and their licence numbers to the police every month, so it has them ready.
- Civil liability insurance is not a legal obligation: agree it in the contract.
Frequently asked questions
How many years is a security company licence valid in Greece?
Five years, renewable for another five if the conditions still hold. The renewal application is due at least one month before expiry.
Can a security company use another company’s licence?
No. Law 2518/1997 makes the operating licence non-transferable.
Is insurance mandatory for security companies in Greece?
Law 2518/1997 does not require civil liability insurance. Ask for it explicitly in the contract, with an amount and cover.
Sources
Every legal or pay point in this guide was checked against the official sources below.
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