License for private security firm in Ukraine

Cost and terms of obtaining the license for private security firm

Cost of the service is 10000 UAH.

Term of license obtainment starts from 15 business days.

The cost does not include official fee. The full cost of the whole service you can find out in our lawyer's article. You can an agreement about law service here.

Setting up a company to provide security services for factories, enterprises, and offices in Ukraine 

Protecting factories, industrial complexes, warehouses, or offices is a lucrative and highly in-demand sector. Nowadays, an increasing number of entrepreneurs prefer not to hire individual guards but instead opt for the services of security firms. These companies can offer the required services with an adequate workforce, necessary equipment, quick response times, and the ability to install security systems.

How to start such a business and what documents need to be processed for the launch? What services do clients of this kind require?

You can obtain a license even as an individual entrepreneur in Ukraine. The choice of the organizational and legal form of business depends solely on how you plan to structure it. If your plans involve hiring personnel and acquiring response vehicles, we recommend the LLC structure. Depending on the size of the security object and client preferences, the following services may be necessary:

• Employee and visitor checks at the security object.
• Monitoring the territory of the complex, factory, or office center.
• Controlling transport on the security object.
• Inspection of objects on both a planned and emergency basis.

The standard service package typically includes:

• Video surveillance systems.
• Qualified security personnel (both regular patrols and on-site visits).
• Response vehicles.

An additional advantage would be the ability to install fire safety systems. However, obtaining a Fire License is required for this.

Who qualifies as a security expert or who can assume the role of a security firm's manager?

A security specialist can be the director of a security company, their deputy, the head of a branch, or their deputy. In simpler terms, it refers to the person in charge of a business that has obtained a license for security operations.

The position of a security expert cannot be filled by just any manager. The licensing authority sets forth specific requirements for such a role, encompassing the educational background of the security expert, their work experience, and the documents submitted to the licensing authority.

The manager of a security firm or a security expert must meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Hold a higher education degree and possess a work experience of no less than three years in officer positions within operational and investigative units of internal affairs bodies, security police, the Security Service of Ukraine, or a work history of no less than three years in command roles within construction units and educational institutions of the Armed Forces, or in positions of middle and senior command staff within law enforcement agencies, military formations formed per laws, and departmental militarized security;
• Possess a higher education degree and have a work history in managerial roles (such as director, deputy director, branch manager, or other separate unit) of a security entity for no less than three years, or a work experience of no less than three years in positions responsible for the security direction;
• Hold a higher legal education degree and possess work experience in the field within a security entity for no less than three years.

Please note! The presence of an expert meeting these requirements is a mandatory condition for obtaining a Private Security License.

The duties of a security specialist include:

• Ensuring the integrity of the security object and the inviolability of the property stored within it, as well as the inviolability of individuals - security objects.
• Preventing the development of offenses against individuals, property, and violations of the security company's operating regime.
• Mandatory reporting to law enforcement authorities of actions that have signs of criminal activity at the locations where security measures are implemented.
• Safeguarding confidential information about the activities of the security firm if such information is declared secret.
• Not disturbing public order.

For the violation or non-fulfillment of the above-mentioned duties, a security expert bears the following responsibilities:

• Disciplinary responsibility for non-compliance with internal labor instructions, safety regulations, safety methods, and sanitary and fire safety systems.
• Criminal responsibility for disclosing information about the organization that relates to commercial secrets.
• Civil responsibility for causing material damage to the company.

A security specialist in a company that has permission to carry out security activities has a wide range of responsibilities and significant accountability for them.

What to emphasize in the charter of a security company?

When crafting the charter of a security company, particular attention should be directed to the section on "Purpose and Object of Activity." In the subsection "Object of Activity," it is recommended to include the KVED codes (types of economic activities) pertaining to security activities, such as the operation of private security services, servicing security systems, conducting investigations, providing security services for premises and individuals, deception detector services, and so forth.

To know and understand whether you meet the requirements of licensing conditions, it is advisable to seek assistance from a specialized lawyer. They can assist in formalizing any business entity and preparing charter documents. This way, there will be no need to spend time and money on correcting mistakes.

Security License for Military Personnel in Ukraine: Required Experience

To successfully obtain a security license, it is crucial to have prior work experience (with official documentation) of at least 3 years in one of the following areas:

• In law enforcement agencies or military formations.

Note: Acceptable experience includes holding officer positions in operational and investigative units of internal affairs bodies, security police, SBU, or a minimum of three years in command roles in construction units and educational institutions of the Armed Forces. This also applies to positions in middle and senior management of law enforcement agencies, military formations established under laws, and departmental militarized security.

• In a security agency, especially in a managerial or equivalent capacity.
• In an entity engaged in security activities.

If you lack the necessary experience, it can be fulfilled by a colleague from your military service or by a specialist willing to collaborate with you. Whether you plan to operate as an individual entrepreneur or establish a company, you can formalize an employment contract with such an expert and submit the required documents to the Ministry of Internal Affairs for the licensing process.

Security license with our lawyers

• state and private property;
• provide personal security services;
• technical security services;
• other security services within.

Who can be a person to lead security activities

• Higher education and work experience not less than 3 years as an officer in division of militarized security, operational, security and investigative units of the Interior, Security Service of Ukraine or not less than 3 years of work experience at drill unit and educational establishment of Armed Forces, chief position in law enforcement or military unit;
• Higher education and not less than 3 years of work experience on chief position responsible for security area in a security firm;
• Higher education and not less than 3 years of work experience in area of specialization.

Report about changes in required documents

• change of head agency's adress;
• change of legal entity's or entrepreneur's name;
• change of a a person who leads security activities;
• change of a bank details;
• change of other information which were noted in required documents.

Getting a security license