Security Guard

Anyone working as a security guard (väktare) in Sweden must be personally approved by the County Administrative Board (Länsstyrelsen). This applies to all guards employed at authorized security companies. The approval process checks that the applicant is law-abiding, civically reliable, and suitable for the role.

Security guards may work in uniform or civilian clothes depending on the assignment. Guards performing store surveillance or event security often work without uniforms. The approval is tied to employment at a specific authorized security company.

Requirements

  • Approval: Approved for employment at an authorized security company by the County Administrative Board.
  • Language skills: Good knowledge of Swedish and familiarity with Swedish conditions.
  • Training: Completed basic security guard training at an authorized training company.
  • Register checks: Check in the Police Authority's suspicion and criminal records register and with the Security Police.
  • Suitability: High requirements for law-abiding conduct, civic reliability, and general suitability.

Procedure

  • Application: The employer (security company) submits the application to the County Administrative Board in the county where service will primarily take place.
  • Consent: The applicant must consent to the register checks required for the assessment.
  • Assessment: The County Administrative Board checks registers and assesses suitability.
  • Revocation: Approval may be revoked if conditions no longer exist or for special reasons (e.g., suspicion of crime).
  • EU/EEA citizens: May invoke professional qualifications from another EU/EEA country; application for recognition is assessed by the County Administrative Board of Stockholm.