Skip to main content
LEXAI
In effectFederal Law

General UAE Legal Questions LawFederal Law No. (37) of 2006 Concerning Private Security Companies

UAE Federal Law·Federal Law No. (37) of 2006

قانون اتحادي بشأن شركات الأمن الخاصة

Authoritative Arabic version per the official UAE Legislation portal

Issued Date
October 9, 2006
Effective from
October 12, 2006
Articles
24
Last synced
Jul 20, 2026
Download PDFOfficial source

Plain-language summary

  • Private security companies must obtain a license from UAE authorities before operating.
  • Sets standards for hiring, training, and conduct of security personnel.
  • Requires companies to maintain proper equipment and follow safety procedures.
  • Applies to all private security firms providing protection services in the UAE.
  • Establishes oversight and inspection rules to ensure public safety and security.

Regulates the licensing, operation, and oversight of private security companies in the UAE, establishing requirements for personnel, equipment, and conduct to e…

Synced from the official UAE Legislation portal · Plain-language summary by the LEXAI editorial team

Article-level text

Key Articles

24 articles

  1. 1

    Chapter One General Provisions: General Provisions

    Article 1

    Article 1 The following words and expressions shall the meanings as set out opposite each, unless the context requires otherwise. UAE : The United Arab Emirates Ministry : Ministry of Interior Minister : Minister of Interior Police General Department : : The Police General Department in every Emirate Competent Authority : The department or section at the Ministry or Police General Department in charge of dealing with, supervising and following up the works of private security companies. Company : Security company or establishment or any governmental authority providing a security service, whether independently or in conjunction with other services. Training Institute : the security training institute, school or centre which is approved and licensed by the Ministry or Police General Department. Security Staff : a security manager, officer, consultant, trainer, supervisor, money transportation guard, body guard, guard of buildings, facilities, events, celebrations and activities, whether part time or full time, or any other person having connection with security service covered by the provisions hereof. Training Course : security training course approved by the Ministry

    -- 2 of 8 --

    Federal Law of 2006 Concerning Private Security Companies. 3

  2. 2

    Article 2

    Article 2 The provisions of this law shall apply to the Company, whether providing those services as an independent activity or in conjunction with other commercial activities.

  3. 3

    Article 3

    Article 3 No Company shall be established or licensed to carry out any security services without obtaining the security approval from the competent authority and completing the procedures required therefore in accordance with the regulations and conditions as set out in the executive regulation hereof.

  4. 4

    Article 4

    Article 4 The Company shall complete the establishment or licensing procedures within six months from the date of the security approval, failing which the approval shall be null and void.

  5. 5

    Article 5

    Article 5 The Minister or his representative may cancel the security approval of the Company or suspend its activities at any time if it no more fulfils any of the conditions on the basis of which the approval was given, if it goes beyond its tasks as set out in the executive regulation hereof or if the approval was issued on the basis of inaccurate information. The Competent Authority shall be notified of such action in order to take actions as required to cancel the licence issued to the Company.

  6. 6

    Article 6

    Article 6 The Company shall have a head office approved by the Competent Authority and relevant entities. Such head office should meet the conditions and be appropriately equipped to

    -- 3 of 8 --

    Federal Law of 2006 Concerning Private Security Companies. 4 perform the tasks as determined by the executive regulation hereof.

  7. 7

    Article 7

    Article 7 The Company shall provide the Competent Authority with all data and information as required by the executive regulation hereof

  8. 8

    Article 8

    Article 8 Charges for issuing the security approval, licences, annual renewals and any other charges shall be determined under a resolution by the Cabinet pursuant to a proposal by the Minister. Chapter Two Activity of the Company

  9. 9

    Chapter Two Activity of the Company: Activity of the Company

    Article 9

    Article 9 The activity of the Company shall be limited to the Emirate where it is licensed and it may not operate in another Emirate without obtaining a licence from such Emirate, except in the events of transporting money or precious items across the Emirates and providing security protection to individuals while moving between Emirates in accordance with the requirements and conditions as determined by the executive regulations hereof.

  10. 10

    Chapter Two Activity of the Company: Activity of the Company

    Article 10

    Article 10 The activity of the Company shall be limited to the security service class as set out in the licence and it may not provide any other security service without obtaining the security approval for such service. The security service class shall be determined by the executive regulation hereof.

  11. 11

    Chapter Two Activity of the Company: Activity of the Company

    Article 11

    Article 11

    -- 4 of 8 --

    Federal Law of 2006 Concerning Private Security Companies. 5 The Company may not appoint security staff without obtaining the approval of the Competent Authority and fulfil all requirements and conditions as set out in the executive regulation hereof.

  12. 12

    Article 12

    Article 12 The business of the Company shall be limited to preventive security protection, and shall not extend to performing the tasks of law enforcement officers.

  13. 13

    Article 13

    Article 13 The Company shall fully coordinate with the Competent Authority to ensure that its activities are not in conflict with any established security measures.

  14. 14

    Article 14

    Article 14 The Company shall provide means of transportation which allow it to perform its tasks. Such means of transportation shall meet the requirements and conditions as determined by the executive regulation hereof.

  15. 15

    Article 15

    Article 15 The Company shall establish a communication centre at its head office and shall use wired and wireless communication devices which are licensed by the Competent Authority.

  16. 16

    Article 16

    Article 16 1. The Company's employees authorized to provide security services in accordance with this Law and the Executive Regulations hereof may acquire or carry any or a part of weapon subject to obtaining the approval of the security bodies and the competent

    -- 5 of 8 --

    Federal Law of 2006 Concerning Private Security Companies. 6 authorities and relevant licenses for both the Company and its employees in conformity with the controls prescribed by the Executive regulations of this Law. 2. The use of the licensed weapons shall be governed by the rules and provisions set out in the Executive Regulations. 3. The Executive Regulations hereof shall determine the type of weapons, equipment, materials and systems required for the Company's business as well as the conditions and controls for the use, maintenance and the methods of storing of same.

  17. 17

    Article 17

    Article 17 The Company shall procure the security staff to follow a training course to be conducted by the Training Institute in accordance with the requirements and conditions as determined by the executive regulation hereof.

  18. 18

    Article 18

    Article 18 The Company shall provide the security staff with a uniform which is distinct from that of the police and armed forces in accordance with the specifications, requirements and conditions as determined by the executive regulation hereof.

  19. 19

    Article 19

    Article 19 The Company shall maintain organized records of its business and employees as determined by the executive regulation hereof. The Competent Authority may inspect and check those records at any time Chapter Three Penalties

    -- 6 of 8 --

    Federal Law of 2006 Concerning Private Security Companies. 7

  20. 20

    Chapter Three Penalties: Penalties

    Article 20

    Article 20 Without prejudice to any more severe punishment provided for in any other law: 1. Whoever provides security services in violation of the provisions of Article (3) hereof shall be penalized with a fine of not less than (AED 500,000) five hundred thousand dirhams. 2. Whoever commits an act in violation of the provisions of Article (16) hereof shall be sentenced to imprisonment and a fine of not less than one million dirhams. 3. Subject to the provisions of the foregoing, whoever violates the provisions of this Law or the Executive Regulations hereof shall be penalized with imprisonment and/or a fine of not less than (AED 20,000) twenty thousand dirhams and not exceeding (AED 200,000) two hundred thousand dirhams. 4. The punishments prescribed in this Article shall be doubled in case of recidivism with the possibility of revoking the Company's license. Chapter Four Final Provisions

  21. 21

    Chapter Four Final Provisions: Final Provisions

    Article 21

    Article 21 The Minister shall determine the violations and the fines required to be paid by the one committing such violations, which shall not exceed AED 5,000.

  22. 22

    Chapter Four Final Provisions: Final Provisions

    Article 22

    Article 22 Companies operating in the field of security and protection shall rectify their positions in accordance with the provisions of this Law and its executive regulation within six months from the issue date of the executive regulations hereof.

    -- 7 of 8 --

    Federal Law of 2006 Concerning Private Security Companies. 8

  23. 23

    Chapter Four Final Provisions: Final Provisions

    Article 23

    Article 23 The Minister shall issue the regulations and resolutions required to implement the provisions hereof.

  24. 24

    Chapter Four Final Provisions: Final Provisions

    Article 24

    Article 24 This Law shall be published in the Official Gazette and shall come into force on the date of its publication. [Signed] Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan President of the United Arab Emirates Issued by us in the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi On: 17 Ramadan 1427 A.H. Corresponding to 9 October 2006

    -- 8 of 8 --

Note: The Arabic text of this legislation is the authoritative version as per the official UAE Legislation portal.

Articles in this law(24)
  1. 1Article 1 The following words and expressions shall the meanings as set out oppo
  2. 2Article 2 The provisions of this law shall apply to the Company, whether providi
  3. 3Article 3 No Company shall be established or licensed to carry out any security
  4. 4Article 4 The Company shall complete the establishment or licensing procedures w
  5. 5Article 5 The Minister or his representative may cancel the security approval of
  6. 6Article 6 The Company shall have a head office approved by the Competent Authori
  7. 7Article 7 The Company shall provide the Competent Authority with all data and in
  8. 8Article 8 Charges for issuing the security approval, licences, annual renewals a
  9. 9Article 9 The activity of the Company shall be limited to the Emirate where it i
  10. 10Article 10 The activity of the Company shall be limited to the security service
  11. 11Article 11 -- 4 of 8 -- Federal Law of 2006 Concerning Private Security Companie
  12. 12Article 12 The business of the Company shall be limited to preventive security p
  13. 13Article 13 The Company shall fully coordinate with the Competent Authority to en
  14. 14Article 14 The Company shall provide means of transportation which allow it to p
  15. 15Article 15 The Company shall establish a communication centre at its head office
  16. 16Article 16 1. The Company's employees authorized to provide security services in
  17. 17Article 17 The Company shall procure the security staff to follow a training cou
  18. 18Article 18 The Company shall provide the security staff with a uniform which is
  19. 19Article 19 The Company shall maintain organized records of its business and empl
  20. 20Article 20 Without prejudice to any more severe punishment provided for in any o
  21. 21Article 21 The Minister shall determine the violations and the fines required to
  22. 22Article 22 Companies operating in the field of security and protection shall rec
  23. 23Article 23 The Minister shall issue the regulations and resolutions required to
  24. 24Article 24 This Law shall be published in the Official Gazette and shall come in
Reading shortcut

Ask LEXAI a question about Federal Law No. (37) of 2006.

Plain-English answers, with a citation back to the exact article. Free to use, no sign-up.

LEXAI provides general legal information, not legal advice. For your specific case, speak to a licensed UAE lawyer.

Ask a question

Keep reading

Related guides

General

Lawyer Marketing in the UAE: A Practical Guide for Solo and Small Firms

A practical, compliance-first guide to lawyer marketing in the UAE — directory listings, content and search, referrals, Google Business, and social media — built for solo practitioners and small firms who want to be found and contacted directly.

9 min read

General

SEO for Lawyers in the UAE: A Practical Guide for Solo & Small Firms

A practical, advocacy-compliant SEO guide for UAE solo practitioners and small law firms: local SEO, Google Business Profile, the keywords clients actually search, content, and free directory listings.

9 min read

General

Law Firm vs Solo Lawyer in the UAE: How to Choose

Confused between a UAE law firm (maktab muhamah) and a solo advocate? Learn how firms are licensed, when a large firm helps, when a specialist solo is the smarter choice, and how cost and access differ.

8 min read