Private Security License in Bulgaria — Types, Procedure and Fees Under the PSAA (2026)

Legal Framework — the PSAA and Secondary Legislation

Private security activities in Bulgaria are governed by the following regulatory framework:

• Private Security Activities Act (PSAA) — published in State Gazette No. 10 of 30 January 2018, effective from 31 March 2018. The Act replaced the previous Private Security Activities Act of 2004 and introduced stricter requirements for licensing, personnel and supervision of security operations.
• MoI Tariff of Fees — sets the amount of state fees for the issuance, amendment and supplementation of private security licences. Fees vary significantly depending on the type of activity and territorial scope.
• Implementing Regulation of the PSAA — details the procedural rules for submitting applications, conducting inspections and issuing licences.
• Regulation on Professional Qualifications for Security Personnel — governs the training, courses and examinations required for acquiring a security personnel qualification.

The competent licensing authority is the General Directorate “National Police” (GDNP) of the MoI. Licences for nationwide activities are issued by the Director of GDNP, while licences for activities within a single district are issued by the respective Director of the Sofia Directorate of Interior (SDVR) or the Regional Directorate of the MoI (ODMVR).

5 Types of Private Security Activities

Under Article 5 of the PSAA, private security activities encompass five distinct types, each requiring a separate licence or an addition to an existing one:

A trader may apply for a licence covering one or more activity types simultaneously. Where a licence has already been issued, an additional activity type can be added by submitting an application and paying the corresponding fee.

Who Can Obtain a Private Security Licence

The Act explicitly defines the circle of persons eligible to apply for a licence:

• Trader registered under the Commerce Act — EOOD (single-member LLC), OOD (LLC), AD (JSC), EAD (single-member JSC) and other capital companies registered in the Commercial Register at the Registry Agency. Sole traders (ET) may also apply.
• Trader from the EU/EEA/Switzerland — a legal entity registered under the legislation of another EU Member State, the European Economic Area or Switzerland, provided it is entered in the relevant national register.

Natural persons cannot obtain a licence for private security activities. If you are planning to start a security business, the first step is registering a company in Bulgaria.

Territorial Scope of the Licence

When submitting the application, the trader specifies the desired territorial scope:

• Within a single district — the licence is issued by the Director of SDVR (for Sofia) or the respective ODMVR. Fees are significantly lower.
• Nationwide — the licence is issued by the Director of GDNP at the MoI. Fees are 3 to 6 times higher depending on the activity type.

Requirements for the Trader

To obtain a licence, the trader must cumulatively meet the following conditions:

• Not in insolvency or liquidation proceedings — the company must be active and financially stable. If this topic is of interest, see our article on company insolvency.
• No public debts — the trader must have no outstanding obligations to the state or municipalities established by an enforceable act.
• Directors and owners — must not have been convicted of an intentional criminal offence of a general nature, unless rehabilitated.
• No links to organised crime — directors and shareholders/partners with a controlling interest must not be associated with organised crime within the meaning of the Anti-Money Laundering Act.
• Staffing capacity — the trader must have a sufficient number of qualified personnel to carry out the declared activity.
• Technical capacity — the trader must have the appropriate equipment, technology and communication resources aligned with the type of activity (particularly for alarm monitoring — alarm systems, monitoring stations, mobile patrols).

Requirements for Security Personnel

The PSAA sets strict requirements for every person who will directly perform security functions:

Education and Qualifications

• Minimum secondary education — completed secondary education is an absolute prerequisite for employment as a security guard.
• Security qualification course — at least 40 teaching hours at a licensed training centre, covering legal training, security tactics, first aid and communication skills.
• Certificate of competence — upon successful completion of the course, the person receives a certificate that is a prerequisite for employment.

Medical and Psychological Requirements

• Medical certificate — issued by a healthcare establishment, certifying that the person is physically fit to perform security duties.
• Psychological fitness assessment — a mandatory examination by a licensed psychologist confirming the person’s suitability for work in the security sector. The assessment is repeated periodically.

Criminal Record and Reliability

• Clean criminal record — the person must not have been convicted of an intentional criminal offence of a general nature, unless rehabilitated.
• Not charged as a defendant for an intentional criminal offence of a general nature.

Service Identification

• Service ID card — every security guard receives a service card with a unique number, photograph and employer details. The card must be carried at all times when on duty.
• Uniform — security guards are required to wear a uniform with a clearly visible company insignia (logo). A sample of the uniform is submitted during the licensing process.
• Distinctive insignia — the uniform and service card must allow clear differentiation from MoI officers and other state authorities.

State Fees by Activity Type and Scope

The amount of state fees is set by the MoI Tariff of Fees and depends on two factors: the type of security activity and the territorial scope of the licence.

Practical note: The self-protection fee is considerably lower because this type does not involve providing services to third parties. For personal protection with nationwide scope, the fee is the highest — BGN 6,000 (~EUR 3,068), reflecting the high level of responsibility and risk associated with this activity type.

In addition to state fees, you should budget for document preparation costs, personnel training, psychological assessments, medical examinations and legal fees.

Required Documents for Licensing

The application for a licence is submitted to the GDNP (for nationwide scope) or the respective ODMVR (for district scope) and must be accompanied by the following documents:

1. Application form — a standard form specifying the type of activity and territorial scope.
2. Current status certificate — extract from the Commercial Register. In practice, the authority may verify this ex officio, but it is advisable to include it.
3. Certificate from the National Security Service (NSS) — confirming the absence of data indicating that directors and owners are associated with organised crime.
4. Certificate from the Prosecutor’s Office — confirming the absence of pending criminal proceedings against directors and owners for intentional criminal offences of a general nature.
5. Medical certificate — for the company’s directors, certifying physical and mental fitness.
6. Sample security guard ID card — a mock-up of the card with the required details (name, photo, number, company name).
7. Photograph of the uniform and logo — a colour photograph of the planned uniform with a clearly visible company insignia.
8. Proof of state fee payment — payment order or receipt for the fee paid to the relevant MoI bank account.
9. Declarations under Art. 10 of the PSAA — declarations by directors and owners regarding criminal record, reliability and absence of conflict of interest.

If the documentation is incomplete, the authority grants a 14-day period to rectify the deficiencies. If the deficiencies are not remedied in time, the application is left without consideration.

Step-by-Step Procedure

The licensing procedure goes through the following stages:

1. Submitting the application

   The application with the full set of documents is submitted to the GDNP at the MoI (for a nationwide licence) or to SDVR/ODMVR (for a district licence). Submission in person or by post is permitted.

2. Completeness check

   The authority reviews the documentation for completeness. If deficiencies are identified, the applicant receives a written notice with a 14-day period to rectify them.

3. MoI inspections

   Comprehensive checks are conducted on the applicant: police background checks on directors and owners, criminal database checks through MoI systems, financial checks for outstanding public debts and verification of staffing and technical capacity.

4. Opinion and decision

   Based on the inspection results, a reasoned opinion is prepared. The decision to issue or refuse the licence is made by the competent authority.

5. Timeframe for the decision

   The competent authority must issue its decision within up to 3 months from the date of application. In practice, with complete and correct documentation, the procedure may be completed sooner.

6. Licence issuance

   If the decision is positive, a licence is issued that is indefinite — it is not subject to renewal and remains valid until it is revoked or the trader ceases to exist. The licence is entered in a public MoI register.

Appealing a refusal: A refusal to issue a licence may be challenged under the Administrative Procedure Code (APC) before the relevant administrative court within 14 days of notification.

Obligations After Obtaining the Licence

Obtaining the licence is not the end of the process — licensed traders have a number of ongoing obligations:

Registers and Reporting

• Security personnel register — the trader must maintain an up-to-date register of all persons performing security functions, including data on qualifications, medical examinations and psychological assessments.
• Annual notification to the MoI — licensed traders must notify the competent authority of the composition and changes in their security personnel.

Insurance

• Mandatory professional liability insurance — security companies are required to take out insurance covering damages caused to third parties during or in connection with security activities.

Data Protection

• GDPR compliance for CCTV — security companies operating video surveillance systems are data controllers within the meaning of GDPR and must comply with all requirements for GDPR compliance. This includes informing data subjects, setting retention periods for recordings and conducting a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA).
• Internal data processing rules — internal rules for personal data protection must be adopted, tailored to the specifics of security activities.

Notification Obligations

• Changes in circumstances — if there is a change in the registered office, director, ownership or other circumstances entered in the licence, the trader must notify the competent authority within 14 days.
• Cessation of activity — if security activities are discontinued, the licence must be returned to the issuing authority.

Penalties for Unlicensed Security Activities

Carrying out private security activities without a licence is an administrative violation for which the PSAA provides serious penalties:

For repeat violations, fines are doubled. In addition to financial penalties, unlicensed activities may result in:

• Compulsory cessation of activities — MoI authorities may order immediate termination.
• Licence revocation — in cases of material violations by a licensed trader, including systematic non-compliance with licence conditions.
• Criminal liability — in certain cases (for example, where weapons are used or bodily harm is caused), criminal liability under the Criminal Code may also be incurred.

Compliance with the PSAA is supervised by MoI authorities, which have the power to inspect licensed traders, request documents and issue violation reports.

Frequently Asked Questions