Starting as a private security contractor

  • Henk Herkink
  • 28 March 2022
  • Edited 4 September 2023
  • 3 min
  • Starting

Your work as a security contractor is challenging and dynamic. You help keep people safe and ensure events run smoothly. As a self-employed professional, you must have the right diplomas and permits. Read here what you need to arrange when you start working as a private security contractor.

The following topics are of special interest to startups in the private security industry:

Competition

In the past 5 years, the number of private security companies registered with the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce KVK (in Dutch) has increased from 5,223 in 2020 to 13,481 in 2024. This growth is due to the large number of self-employed workers in the industry. 

YearNumber
20205,223
20215,790
20226,817
20239,929
202413,481

Number of private security companies (SBI code 8010) in the KVK Business Register on 1 January. 

Training obligations 

To work in the security industry, you must have the Security Guard (Beveiliger) diploma from the Foundation for Professional Examinations for Private Security Organisations (Stichting Vakexamens voor de Particuliere Beveiligingsorganisatie). Additional diplomas are required for some professions, within the security sector. For example, personal security guards and alarm installation. View the training obligations (in Dutch) for security guards.

Rules and permits 

The Private Security Organisations and Detective Agencies Act, (Wet Particuliere Beveiligingsorganisaties en Recherchebureaus, WPBR), establishes the legal basis for all security work. 
Justis permit

You must have a Justis permit to operate as a private security company. Justis is a Ministry of Justice and Security organisation that screens security guards. You can apply for this permit at Justis (in Dutch). The permit is valid for a maximum of 5 years. To apply for this permit you need eHerkenning with an assurance level of EH3 or higher. This is known as a WPBR application.


Dutch Service Number (ND number) 

After your application is approved by Justis, you will be given a Dutch Service Number (Nederlands Dienstnummer, ND number). A self-employed person with an ND permit may take on independent assignments. Does another security company hire you as a freelancer? Then you work under the ND number of that company. 


Security Pass 

You need an identification card (beveilingspas, in Dutch) in the name of your company. You can request the security pass from the chief of police in your area (in Dutch) and it is valid for a maximum of 3 years.


Uniform 

Anyone doing security work must wear an approved uniform. This uniform must feature, at the very least, the well-known V symbol. The uniform has to be approved by Justis. 

If you do personal or store security, you can apply to the chief of police in your area (in Dutch) for an exemption from this requirement. 

Handcuffs 

You are not allowed to carry handcuffs when doing security work. Do you believe you need handcuffs? You can ask Justis for authorisation to carry them.

Using a dog

Do you want to use a dog during your work? Then you must have a certificate showing that the dog is suitable as a surveillance dog or guard dog. Certificates are issued by the Royal Dutch Police Dog Association (Koninklijke Nederlandse Politiehond Vereniging, in Dutch) or the Netherlands Association for Patrol and Police Dogs (Nederlandse Bond voor de Diensthond, in Dutch).

Employees

Do you have employees? Then you need a Management Certificate (Toestemming leidinggevenden, in Dutch). You can apply for this certificate together with your WPBR application at Justis. 

If you plan to hire staff, each employee must be approved by the chief of police in your area (in Dutch). Your employees must also carry valid proof of identification during working hours.

Collective Labour Agreement CAO

Security guards are covered by the CAO for the security industry (in Dutch). The collective labour agreement (CAO) covers wages, working hours, allowances, holidays, and pensions. As an employer, you must abide by the agreements in the CAO. 

Employment Relationships Deregulation Act (DBA) 

As a self-employed security professional, you often work for different clients. Do you usually work for just 1 client? This may be a case of false self-employment.

False self-employment is the situation in which you take on an assignment as an entrepreneur, but actually work as an employee. Together with your client, you are responsible for the working relationship you enter into. Use the flow chart of the Netherlands Tax Administration (in Dutch) to check if you are self-employed or employed. If you are not sure, contact KVK for advice.

General information for new business owners 

In addition to all the above, new entrepreneurs in the security sector will also have to deal with the following: 

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