Frequently asked questions

Under Law No. 5188, institutions wishing to receive security services must obtain a Private Security Permit issued by the Provincial Private Security Commission. Protection of persons by armed staff, setting up an in-house security unit or outsourcing to a company requires the governor’s permission upon the commission’s decision. For meetings, concerts and similar events, or temporary and urgent cases such as cash transport, the governor may grant permission without a commission decision. The application states the subject of the service, how it will be performed, the maximum number of staff and the quantity and type of firearms and equipment (Regulation art. 8).

When protection is possible under general public security, or when private protection is considered objectionable for the protection of public freedoms; the decision states its reasons.

After the governor’s office reviews the request, the commission decides whether to grant the permit, the method of protection, the maximum number of staff and the maximum number of firearms. The decision is submitted for the governor’s approval and a Private Security Permit is issued.

Except in temporary cases, a permit may be terminated by commission decision and the governor’s approval, provided application is made at least one month in advance.

It decides on employing private security staff or purchasing services; sets the maximum number of staff and the quantity and type of firearms and equipment, and physical measures where needed; sets the number of firearms companies and training institutions may hold; takes restrictive decisions in public places to protect public freedoms; rules on termination requests; decides on measures after inspections; and rules on matters referred by the governor.

Yes. Having an in-house private security unit does not prevent purchasing protection and security services from a private security company.

A unit established within a person’s or institution’s own organisation to provide its security. The list of officers and copies of liability insurance policies are submitted to the governor’s office within fifteen days of the start of duty.

Turkish citizenship; at least eight years of primary or secondary education for unarmed duty, at least a high-school diploma for armed duty; aged 18 for unarmed and 21 for armed duty; no physical or mental illness preventing duty; successful completion of basic private security training; and no conviction for the offences listed in article 10(d) of Law No. 5188.

Copy of diploma (original to be shown), national ID number, four passport photos, health report (obtained before training) and the basic training certificate.

Certificate and ID procedures are handled by the governor’s offices; applications are made to the Private Security Branch of the Provincial Police Directorate of residence. The same branch confirms whether a card is ready.

No. The exam must be taken in the province where the basic or refresher training was received.

Through the training institution, to the Private Security Branch of the Provincial Police Directorate of residence.

Yes. By applying to the Provincial Health Directorate for referral to an arbitrating hospital.

Retired law-enforcement officers, those who left law enforcement voluntarily after at least five years of active service, and graduates of university security faculties or security-related vocational colleges.

Work permits are now indefinite; however, under article 34 of the regulation, refresher training is taken every five years to renew the ID card.

As the work permit is indefinite, the ID fee is paid once. Refunds of fees paid a second time are handled by the governor’s offices via the Private Security Branch.

A one-off licence fee is paid to the treasury; the amount is revalued annually.

If any of the required conditions is found to be lost, the permit is cancelled by the governor’s office or the Ministry.

To pass people entering protected areas through metal detectors, search them with hand detectors and pass belongings through X-ray; to ask for ID and carry out the same searches at meetings, concerts, sports events, funerals and weddings; to apprehend under article 90 of the Criminal Procedure Code; to apprehend and search wanted or convicted persons in the duty area; to enter workplaces and homes in fires, earthquakes and emergencies; to ask for ID and search at airports, ports, stations and terminals; to take into custody items that constitute evidence or pose danger, notifying law enforcement immediately; to apprehend a person to protect them from danger; to preserve the scene and evidence; and to use force under the Civil Code art. 981, Code of Obligations art. 52 and Penal Code arts. 24–25.

When life and property in a protected area are, or are about to be, seriously endangered, the civil authority assigns public law enforcement, and private security officers come under the command of the civil authority and the law-enforcement commander.

No. Under article 16 of Law No. 5188, private security staff may not be employed in any work other than protection and security. Violators face an administrative fine for each act.

Offences committed against private security officers because of their duties are punished as offences against public officials. Officers are likewise punished as public officials for offences connected with their duties.

Yes. As they work under an employment contract for wages at a workplace subject to Labour Law No. 4857, they are workers (except those with civil-servant status).

To the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, its regional directorates or the ALO 170 hotline.

A single officer is not contrary to the legislation; however, for sounder protection and the officer’s own safety, service by at least two officers is considered more appropriate.

On night duty, at sports events, concerts and stage shows, a reflective vest marked “özel güvenlik” is worn over the uniform.

They are handed over to public law enforcement with a written record for legal action.

Determined by the units and submitted to the commission; company uniforms and equipment are approved by the Ministry of Interior. Uniforms bear the company name or logo and may not use the colours, forms or motifs of the Armed Forces or law enforcement.

Liability insurance covers damage officers may cause to third parties. Officers injured, disabled or killed on duty — or their heirs — receive whichever is higher of the amounts set in the employment contract, collective agreement or Law No. 2330.

An administrative fine is imposed, the work permit is cancelled by the governor’s office, and the person may never again be a private security officer.

At private meetings, sports events, stage shows and similar events; in educational institutions, health facilities, gaming establishments and licensed bars.

If the nature of the duty requires, the governor’s office obtains the opinion of the General Staff and the commission determines the type and number.

Those meeting the conditions of Law No. 6136 may obtain a licensed firearm, but a carry licence cannot be obtained merely for being a private security officer. Duty weapons may not be carried off duty.

Firearms, ammunition and equipment are kept in a special room, safe or reinforced locked cabinet; the permit holder is responsible. Firearms are entered in a “Handover and Report Book”, each page approved by management, and handed over against signature.

On the commission’s decision the governor’s office grants authority to purchase. Firearms are procured from surplus of private security units, surplus of public institutions, the MKE state arms manufacturer or under general provisions.

The trade registry gazette publishing the articles of association; shareholders’ and managers’ national ID numbers and signature circulars; authorisation for representing managers; managers’ four-year university diplomas and basic training certificates. Shares must be registered and the field of activity exclusively protection and security.

Turkish citizenship and no conviction for the offences listed in article 10(d) of Law No. 5188. Where a founder is a legal entity, its representative must meet the conditions for natural-person founders.

After review of the documents, a security investigation is carried out on the founders and managers of qualifying companies. Companies that qualify receive the operating licence after paying the licence fee.

Founders and managers face three months to one year of imprisonment and a judicial fine of up to five thousand days, and may never again found or manage a security company or training institution.

Yes. A copy of the contract is submitted to the governor’s office by the end of working hours on the day the service begins. The contract states the client’s name and address, scope of service, number of staff, duration and other matters.

A copy of the plans for the facilities and areas to be guarded is submitted to the governor’s office within thirty days; the governor’s office may request changes or correction of deficiencies within thirty days.

Yes. Officers employed or leaving for any reason are notified to the governor’s office within fifteen days.

An operating licence from the governor’s office is mandatory. The application includes criminal records, ID and residence documents, four-year university diplomas, authorisation, basic training certificates of founders and managers, and an undertaking on the suitability of the technical equipment.

Foreign companies providing services, foreign partners in Turkish companies and foreign expert trainers are subject to reciprocity; whether reciprocity exists is asked of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Employing officers without a permit: three months to one year of imprisonment or a judicial fine. Setting up a unit without permission: three months to one year of imprisonment and a judicial fine of up to five thousand days. Employing officers without liability insurance: a judicial fine of one hundred and fifty days per person.

If the deficiency is not remedied or the founders/managers replaced within two months, the operating licence is cancelled.

By post, with a letter addressed to the General Directorate of Security; by hand, to the Incoming Documents Office of the Archive and Documentation Department.

The logo and badge are shown close-up on one page and the uniform from four sides. No additions may be made to an approved catalogue; changes require a new catalogue. Contact the relevant department for fees and payment.