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Weapons license for security companies and their security personnel; application for an extension

If you wish to extend your firearms license for firearms requiring a permit to accompany or carry out guarding activities, you must apply to the competent authority.

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Procedure details

You require a firearms license for the guarding trade and a firearms possession card for carrying firearms requiring a permit to accompany or carry out guarding activities such as personal or property protection and the transportation of money and valuables.

An existing firearms license can be extended before it expires. This is possible twice for up to three years.

Employees who work on the basis of official instructions only require a firearms license for the security industry, not a firearms possession card.

If you are employed in the security industry, the issued firearms license will be issued to the person responsible at your employer.

In order for your firearms license for the security industry to be renewed, you must

  • at least 18 years old,
  • reliable within the meaning of § 5 WaffG and
  • be personally suitable within the meaning of § 6 WaffG and
  • have the required expertise in accordance with § 7 WaffG and
  • prove that you have a need for firearms in accordance with § 8 WaffG.

In addition, the period of validity of your firearms license must not have expired.

  • Required document/s
    • Identity card or passport

    as a copy or photo

    • Proof of expertise

    Official certificate of competence or proof from an officially authorized commercial training provider. The certificate of competence must meet the current requirements of § 1 AWaffV. This is regularly the case for certificates of competence issued after 01.04.2003.

    • Proof of need

    Guarding orders or offers which explicitly state the type and scope of the guarding activity as well as the persons, objects or assets to be protected.

    • Proof of liability insurance in the amount of 1,000,000 euros, lump sum for personal injury and property damage
    • Proof of safe storage of firearms and ammunition in accordance with § 36 WaffG
    • Details of the weapons to be entered in the firearms license (if already known)

    For applicants who are employed in the security industry
    Certificate from the employer:

      • of a current employment relationship and use in an activity that requires the carrying of a weapon. The certificate must contain information on the scope (full-time or part-time) and whether the employment relationship is temporary or permanent. Information that is not relevant can be blacked out.
      • stating the type of guarding activity to be carried out (cash transportation, transport of valuables, property protection, personal protection)
      • stating which weapon(s) is/are to be carried (if already known)
    • Official or specialist medical or psychological certificate on personal suitability for applicants who have not yet reached the age of 25

  • The application for renewal of the permit must be submitted to the competent authority in writing or electronically.
  • The competent authority will check the documents.
  • If the examination is positive, the authority will issue the extension of the firearms license for the security business.
  • The extension of the permit must be granted if the period of validity of the existing firearms license has not yet expired.


Fee: 150 EUR - 200 EUR

The application for renewal must be submitted before the expiry date of the existing firearms license.

There are no indications or special features.

Administrative court action

Status: 07.01.2026
Editorially responsible for prodecure description: Ministerium des Innern des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen + Bayerisches Staatsministerium des Innern, für Sport und Integration
Source: Federal Portal
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