Concession for personal and property protection services – how to obtain it?

A concession for personal and property protection services is one of the most important regulatory mechanisms governing business activity in the security sector. The legislator conditions the ability to provide physical protection services and property security on meeting precisely defined requirements and obtaining an administrative decision issued by the competent state authority. This model of oversight is intended to ensure that security services are carried out exclusively by entities that guarantee legality, reliability, and a high level of professionalism.

In the following sections of the article, we present detailed rules for obtaining and performing a concession for personal and property protection services – both for entrepreneurs entering the market and those already operating in the sector.

Legal Basis For Security Activities

The main legal framework for security activities is the Act of 22 August 1997 on the Protection of Persons and Property. The consolidated text is published in the Journal of Laws of 2025, item 532. This Act defines:

• the principles and forms of protection of persons and property,
• areas, facilities, and installations subject to mandatory protection,
• requirements for entrepreneurs conducting security activities,
• qualifications and duties of security personnel,
• principles of supervision and liability for violations of regulations.

The Act establishes a general rule that security business activities need a concession.

Mandatory Protection – Which Facilities Are Subject to It?

The obligation to provide protection is not optional. Statutory provisions impose it for specific categories of facilities and areas. This means that entities managing such facilities must organise protection. Moreover, it must meet statutory standards, regardless of its own risk assessment.

Mandatory protection covers facilities and areas of special importance. It applies to state, economic, and public security interests. These areas include, in particular:

• Facilities related to national defence. Including plants producing, storing, or repairing weapons and military equipment,
• Facilities important to the state’s economic interests. For example, banks, seaports and airports, or extraction plants for strategic raw materials,
• Critical infrastructure, including power plants, water intakes, pipelines, energy and telecommunications lines,
• Facilities important from the perspective of state interests and national culture. For example, state archives, museums, television and radio facilities.

Competent authorities prepare lists of facilities subject to mandatory protection. Responsible entities include Ministers, the President of the National Bank of Poland, and the National Broadcasting Council. Provincial governors (voivodes) keep the records.

Forms of Protection of Persons and Property

The Act on the Protection of Persons and Property distinguishes two basic forms of protection. This distinction is of practical importance. It affects the scope of the license. It also defines the obligations of the entrepreneur and the qualifications of personnel.

The Act provides for two basic forms of protection:

1. Direct physical protection. It includes, e.g. permanent or temporary presence of security personnel. It also covers cash and valuables escort and alarm system monitoring.
2. Technical protection. It is usually understood as the use and operation of mechanical and electronic devices. For example, alarm systems, monitoring systems, locks, or bars.

What is important, technical protection alone does not always need a concession. An exception applies when such protection does not cover facilities subject to mandatory protection.

Who Grants the Concession for Personal and Property Protection Services?

Licensing proceedings in matters of security activities are administrative in nature. They are conducted by a central government administration authority. The legislator has entrusted this task to the minister responsible for internal affairs. This emphasises the importance of this activity from the perspective of state security.

The authority competent to grant a concession for personal and property protection services is the minister responsible for internal affairs. He acts after obtaining an opinion from the competent provincial police commander. The minister may set special conditions in the concession. The entrepreneur has access to this information during the proceedings.

Who May Apply for a Concession?

Entities entitled to apply for a concession have been precisely defined. The legislator focuses on the personal qualifications of those managing security activities. The legal form of the business is of secondary importance.

The following entities may submit a concession application:

• An entrepreneur who is a natural person. He must appear on the list of qualified physical security workers or technical security specialists.
• Legal persons and organisational units without legal personality. At least one authorised representative or manager must be a qualified worker. All other representatives must meet clean criminal record requirements.

Application for Granting a Concession – Mandatory Elements

An application for granting a concession should include, in particular:

• identifying details of the entrepreneur,
• an indication of the form and scope of security activities,
• the date of commencement of activity,
• addresses of places where the activity will be carried out,
• details of persons representing the entrepreneur and managing the activity,
• information on held licenses and entries,
• required declarations and attachments. For example, confirmation of qualifications and proof of payment of the stamp duty.

Administrative proceedings for a concession take around 2 months.

Obligations of an Entrepreneur Holding a Concession

Table. Key obligations of an entrepreneur holding a security concession

Holding a license requires compliance with ongoing obligations, such as:

• informing the licensing authority of the commencement, suspension, or cessation of activity,
• maintaining and storing documentation on security personnel,
• providing consistent employee identification and appropriate uniforms,
• verifying the criminal records of security workers,
• concluding contracts in written form and archiving them,
• holding mandatory civil liability insurance.

Failure to meet these conditions may result in intervention by the licensing authority.

Revocation and Change of the Concession

A concession for personal and property protection services and property is not permanent. The legislator gives the authority tools to address legal violations. These tools also address threats to the public interest. They include the power to revoke or amend the scope of a concession. It may be revoked or amended in cases specified in the Act. For example, in cases of serious violations of operating conditions. It may also occur in case of threats to state security or public order. This includes permanent cessation of activity. It also applies when the entrepreneur fails to improve identified irregularities. Revoking the concession ends the right to conduct security services.

Concession for personal and property protection services – Summary

Security activities in Poland require a concession. Obtaining and operating the concession involves formal requirements. Ongoing compliance with statutory rules is necessary. Authorities supervise this process. In practice, proper preparation of the application is essential. Correct business organisation also matters. Ongoing control of concession obligations is crucial for the entrepreneur’s legal security.

Professional legal support can help in obtaining a security concession. Consult an expert if you have doubts about the proper performance of security activities. A reliable analysis and proper preparation of documentation are crucial. It reduces the risk of refusal, revocation of the license, or administrative sanctions. Contact us!

Frequently Asked Questions on the concession for personal and property protection services