Who Can Engage in Security Activities in Ukraine

Security of property and individuals is a type of business activity that requires special rights. The basic rules are defined by the Law of Ukraine “On Security Activities”. The law regulates the work of security activity entities, their rights, obligations, and personnel requirements.

The following can obtain a license:

• a legal entity registered in Ukraine;
• an individual entrepreneur;
• a business entity that meets the personnel and organizational requirements of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA);

State business registration alone is not sufficient. If an entrepreneur only creates a company, they can first complete registration of an individual entrepreneur (FOP) or LLC in Ukraine, define KVED codes, appoint a director and ownership structure, and only then submit documents for licensing.

The official “Diia.Hid” service also explicitly states that applicants for a license can be legal entities and individual entrepreneurs (FOP).

Security Services Requiring a License

Security activities are not only about a guard working at the entrance of a store or enterprise. The law covers protection of property of citizens and legal entities, as well as ensuring personal safety of individuals.

A license is necessary, in particular, when a business professionally provides services such as:

• physical security of offices, stores, warehouses, and other facilities;
• protection of private property;
• personal protection of individuals;
• central monitoring with alarm response;
• escort of cargo, valuables, and other property;
• access control within a security contract;

The specific nature of the service matters. For example, installing a video camera or alarm system itself does not always constitute security activity. What’s important is whether the contractor assumes a contractual obligation to ensure the security of property or a person.

Who Issues Security Activity Licenses

The licensing authority is the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine. The current procedure and list of documents are published on the official service “Diia.Hid – Security Activity License”.

Key special requirements are contained in the Licensing Conditions for Conducting Security Activities, approved by Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 960 dated November 18, 2015. As of September 2026, the document is valid in the edition of November 5, 2025.

Does the License Have an Expiry Date?

No. The security license is issued indefinitely. This is explicitly stated in the official “Diia.Hid” information referencing the Law of Ukraine “On Licensing Types of Economic Activities.”

It is not necessary to obtain a new license each year. However, the licensee must continue to comply with the Licensing Conditions and duly notify of changes required by law.

Main Requirement – Specialist in Security Measures Organization

One of the key conditions for obtaining a license is having a specialist in organizing security measures. Simply appointing any employee responsible for this area is not sufficient.

The specialist must meet one of the established qualification options:

• have higher education and at least three years of relevant experience in designated officer or managerial positions in law enforcement, military formations, or departmental militarized security;
• have higher education and at least three years in managerial positions within a security activity subject or be responsible for security direction;
• have higher legal education and at least three years of professional experience in a security activity subject;

These criteria are specified in the current Licensing Conditions and in the official administrative service description. Therefore, when preparing documents, it is important to verify not only the job title but also the education and confirmed experience of the individual.

Documents Confirming Specialist Compliance

The Ministry of Internal Affairs checks more than just a diploma. The document package is significantly broader.

To confirm compliance, the following may be required:

• education and required experience documents;
• documents confirming mandatory psychiatric examination;
• documents confirming preventive narcological examination;
• document confirming absence of medical restrictions;
• passport copy;
• document of registration in the State Register of Taxpayers;
• employment contract, excerpt from employment record book, or insurance registry data;
• military accounting data as specified in the Licensing Conditions;

The official list of these confirmations is provided in the administrative service card on “Diia.Hid.”

Documents Submitted to the Ministry of Internal Affairs

After changes to the Licensing Conditions in 2025, the document package became more detailed. Therefore, using old application templates from legal websites is risky.

Depending on the organization of the security company’s work, the Ministry of Internal Affairs requires submission of:

• application for obtaining a license;
• documents regarding the specialist organizing security measures;
• data about security personnel;
• information about available special equipment;
• information about response vehicles;
• data about service dogs, if available;
• information about technical information protection means;
• information about centralized monitoring points;
• the prescribed form of information on absence of control or trade relations with residents of states conducting armed aggression against Ukraine;

The forms of these applications and statements are established in the appendices to Cabinet Resolution No. 960. “Diia.Hid” also provides the current list of documents and direct links to the necessary forms.

For entrepreneurs who do not want to verify each form and personnel document themselves, Poshuk.info has a dedicated section on obtaining security activity licenses.

How to Obtain a Security Activity License in 2026

Preparation should start with personnel compliance. If the specialist does not meet the requirements, a correctly filled application alone will not solve the issue.

The standard procedure consists of the following steps:

1. Register a legal entity or individual entrepreneur (FOP).
2. Define the types of activities and organizational model of the security business.
3. Engage a specialist in organizing security measures.
4. Verify their education, experience, medical and other supporting documents.
5. Prepare the application and necessary information in the current forms.
6. Submit documents to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
7. Receive the decision and pay the state-established fee.

The application can be submitted in person, through a legal representative, or online via state electronic services. The decision on issuance is made by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

How Much Does a Security Activity License Cost in 2026

As of 2026, the official administrative fee is 3,328 UAH. The service provision term is 10 business days. These are the current figures listed in the state service “Diia.Hid.”

The amount of 3,328 UAH corresponds to the living wage for able-bodied persons established from January 1, 2026, by the Law of Ukraine “On the State Budget of Ukraine for 2026”.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs in license issuance decisions also states that the one-time fee is set at one living wage for able-bodied persons effective on the date of the decision. Payment must be made no later than ten business days after the relevant entry to the license register.

Why the Ministry of Internal Affairs May Refuse to Issue a License

Submitting documents does not guarantee automatic approval. The licensing authority verifies the applicant’s compliance and the authenticity of information.

Main officially defined grounds for refusal include:

• non-compliance of the applicant with Licensing Conditions;
• false information in supporting documents;
• a court decision prohibiting the applicant from conducting the relevant business activity;
• certain cases related to previous termination of a license of an entity whose director or founder was the applicant;

The full list of grounds is provided in the official administrative service card.

How to Verify a Security Company’s License

When choosing a contractor, it is not enough to just see the label “licensed security company” on the website. The status should be verified through official Ministry of Internal Affairs sources.

Verification includes checking:

• company name and EDRPOU code;
• license issuance decision;
• date and number of the corresponding decision;
• current license status;
• presence of decisions on suspension or revocation;

“Diia.Hid” directly guides users to the MIA licensing register “Security Activity” and the section with licensing authority decisions.

A New or Ready Security Company

Creating a new LLC is not the only entry option to the market. An entrepreneur can also purchase corporate rights of a company that already has the required permission.

Before such a transaction, it is necessary to check:

• validity of the license;
• corporate history;
• debts and enforcement proceedings;
• legal disputes;
• personnel compliance;
• information about the specialist in organizing security measures;
• compliance of actual operations with current Licensing Conditions;

Poshuk.info offers a separate category for sale of ready security companies. Purchasing a ready legal entity may shorten the organizational stage but does not eliminate the need for legal checks of the company itself and its license status.