GITNUXREPORT 2026

Germany Private Security Industry Statistics

Germany's private security industry is thriving, driven by strong growth and high demand for cybersecurity services.

Alexander Schmidt

Research Analyst specializing in technology and digital transformation trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

There were 3,200 private security companies operating in Germany in 2022.

Statistic 2

The top 10 security firms control 35% of the market share in Germany as of 2023.

Statistic 3

SME security companies (under 50 employees) number 2,150, making up 67% of the sector.

Statistic 4

Securitas AB holds a 12% market share in Germany's private security market in 2022.

Statistic 5

45% of security companies are family-owned businesses in Germany.

Statistic 6

New company registrations in the security sector rose by 8% to 320 in 2023.

Statistic 7

Average company age in the industry is 18 years, with 20% over 30 years old.

Statistic 8

28% of security firms operate in more than one federal state.

Statistic 9

Bankruptcy rate among security companies was 1.2% in 2022, below industry average.

Statistic 10

Foreign-owned security firms account for 15% of total companies in Germany.

Statistic 11

Market leaders like Kötter Sicherheit employ over 15,000 staff in Germany.

Statistic 12

1,200 security companies are BDSW members as of 2023.

Statistic 13

Startup security firms increased by 15% to 180 new entries in 2022.

Statistic 14

Regional concentration: 25% of firms in North Rhine-Westphalia.

Statistic 15

Average number of employees per company is 85 in 2023.

Statistic 16

Merger and acquisition activity saw 12 deals in security sector in 2022.

Statistic 17

62% of companies offer 24/7 services.

Statistic 18

Digital-native security startups number 45 in Germany.

Statistic 19

Export-oriented security firms: 8% of total.

Statistic 20

Innovation investment by top 50 firms: 250 million euros annually.

Statistic 21

In 2022, the total turnover of the German private security industry reached 12.8 billion euros, marking a 4.2% increase from the previous year.

Statistic 22

The private security market in Germany is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.5% from 2023 to 2028, driven by rising demand for cybersecurity services.

Statistic 23

Security services accounted for 62% of the industry's revenue in 2023, totaling approximately 8.1 billion euros.

Statistic 24

The object protection segment generated 4.2 billion euros in revenue in 2022, representing 33% of total industry turnover.

Statistic 25

Germany's private security industry contributed 0.3% to the national GDP in 2021.

Statistic 26

Investment in security technology within the private sector rose by 7.8% to 2.1 billion euros in 2023.

Statistic 27

The event security market segment was valued at 850 million euros in 2022.

Statistic 28

Private security firms exported services worth 450 million euros in 2023.

Statistic 29

Average revenue per security company in Germany stood at 5.2 million euros in 2022.

Statistic 30

The cybersecurity services submarket grew by 12.4% to 1.8 billion euros in 2023.

Statistic 31

In 2022, the total turnover of the German private security industry was 12.8 billion euros with a 4.5% growth rate.

Statistic 32

Projected market volume for private security services in Germany by 2025 is 15.2 billion euros.

Statistic 33

Revenue from technology-based security solutions reached 3.4 billion euros in 2023.

Statistic 34

The retail security segment contributed 1.9 billion euros to industry turnover in 2022.

Statistic 35

Public sector contracts made up 28% of total private security revenues in 2023.

Statistic 36

Inflation-adjusted growth in security spending was 2.8% in 2022.

Statistic 37

Logistics security services market valued at 1.2 billion euros annually.

Statistic 38

Average profit margin for security firms was 6.5% in 2022.

Statistic 39

Foreign direct investment in German security tech startups reached 180 million euros in 2023.

Statistic 40

Healthcare security revenues grew 5.2% to 950 million euros in 2022.

Statistic 41

Object protection services dominate with 55% market penetration among companies in 2023.

Statistic 42

Manned guarding services generated 7.2 billion euros, comprising 56% of revenues in 2022.

Statistic 43

Alarm response services are offered by 42% of private security firms.

Statistic 44

Video surveillance installation services grew by 9.5% in demand in 2023.

Statistic 45

Event security services covered 15,000 major events with 120,000 personnel days in 2022.

Statistic 46

Cash-in-transit services transported 450 billion euros in 2023.

Statistic 47

Cybersecurity consulting is provided by 18% of security companies.

Statistic 48

Mobile patrol services account for 22% of total service hours billed.

Statistic 49

Access control systems were installed in 85,000 sites by private firms in 2022.

Statistic 50

Transport security services hold 18% of service portfolio for average firm.

Statistic 51

Remote monitoring centers handled 2.5 million alarms in 2022.

Statistic 52

Biometric access systems deployed in 12,000 commercial sites.

Statistic 53

Airport security contracts involve 8,000 private personnel daily.

Statistic 54

Corporate risk assessment services grew 11% in bookings.

Statistic 55

35% of services now include environmental security measures.

Statistic 56

VIP protection services billed 320 million euros in 2023.

Statistic 57

Integrated facility management with security: 28% penetration.

Statistic 58

Cyber-physical security hybrids offered by 22% of providers.

Statistic 59

Stadium security for Bundesliga: 50,000 personnel hours per season.

Statistic 60

Private security adherence to §34a GewO is mandatory, with 95% compliance rate in audits.

Statistic 61

The Security and Private Investigators Act (SÜG) was updated in 2021, increasing licensing requirements.

Statistic 62

82% of firms adopted digital reporting tools compliant with GDPR in 2023.

Statistic 63

EU PSD2 directive impacted 25% of cash-handling security services in Germany.

Statistic 64

Sustainability reporting became mandatory for large security firms (>500 employees) in 2023.

Statistic 65

AI integration in security tech rose to 35% adoption rate among top firms.

Statistic 66

Post-COVID hygiene protocols remain in 65% of security contracts.

Statistic 67

Drone surveillance regulations tightened, limiting use to 12% of firms.

Statistic 68

Collective bargaining agreements cover 70% of security workforce under ver.di.

Statistic 69

Data protection compliance audits conducted 45,000 times in 2022.

Statistic 70

§34a training mandatory for 100% of guards since 2014 update.

Statistic 71

ESG criteria integrated in 40% of public tenders for security.

Statistic 72

Remote worker surveillance regulations challenged in 15 court cases.

Statistic 73

Blockchain for security logs piloted in 10% of large firms.

Statistic 74

Minimum wage for security guards set at 12.82 euros/hour in 2023.

Statistic 75

5G-enabled security devices regulated under new BNetzA standards.

Statistic 76

Whistleblower protection extended to security personnel in 2023.

Statistic 77

Quantum computing threats addressed in 20% of risk assessments.

Statistic 78

Cross-border security operations require EU Blue Card for 30% more staff.

Statistic 79

Total employment in Germany's private security industry was 285,000 full-time equivalents in 2022.

Statistic 80

68% of security personnel in Germany were employed in object protection services as of 2023.

Statistic 81

The average annual salary for a security guard in Germany was 32,500 euros in 2022.

Statistic 82

Female employees make up 22% of the private security workforce in Germany in 2023.

Statistic 83

Over 45,000 apprentices were trained in security-related professions in 2022.

Statistic 84

15% of security employees hold a university degree, up from 12% in 2020.

Statistic 85

The industry faced a shortage of 25,000 qualified security personnel in 2023.

Statistic 86

Part-time workers constitute 18% of the total security workforce in Germany.

Statistic 87

Average working hours for security guards are 38.5 hours per week in 2022.

Statistic 88

72% of security firms reported increased training investments in 2023, averaging 1,200 euros per employee.

Statistic 89

Total number of security guards employed reached 210,000 in 2023.

Statistic 90

Apprenticeship completion rate in security professions was 78% in 2022.

Statistic 91

Overtime hours averaged 450 per security employee annually in 2022.

Statistic 92

Regional distribution shows 35% of workforce in Bavaria and NRW combined.

Statistic 93

55% of employees have IHK security certification as of 2023.

Statistic 94

Youth employment (under 25) is 14% of total workforce.

Statistic 95

Training costs per employee averaged 950 euros in 2023.

Statistic 96

Turnover rate in the industry was 12.5% in 2022.

Statistic 97

Night shift workers comprise 42% of security personnel.

Statistic 98

Digital skills training reached 65% of workforce in 2023.

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Beyond just guards at the gate, Germany's private security industry is a booming €12.8 billion powerhouse, where surging cyber threats are fueling a high-tech transformation.

Key Takeaways

In 2022, the total turnover of the German private security industry reached 12.8 billion euros, marking a 4.2% increase from the previous year.
The private security market in Germany is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.5% from 2023 to 2028, driven by rising demand for cybersecurity services.
Security services accounted for 62% of the industry's revenue in 2023, totaling approximately 8.1 billion euros.
Total employment in Germany's private security industry was 285,000 full-time equivalents in 2022.
68% of security personnel in Germany were employed in object protection services as of 2023.
The average annual salary for a security guard in Germany was 32,500 euros in 2022.
There were 3,200 private security companies operating in Germany in 2022.
The top 10 security firms control 35% of the market share in Germany as of 2023.
SME security companies (under 50 employees) number 2,150, making up 67% of the sector.
Object protection services dominate with 55% market penetration among companies in 2023.
Manned guarding services generated 7.2 billion euros, comprising 56% of revenues in 2022.
Alarm response services are offered by 42% of private security firms.
Private security adherence to §34a GewO is mandatory, with 95% compliance rate in audits.
The Security and Private Investigators Act (SÜG) was updated in 2021, increasing licensing requirements.
82% of firms adopted digital reporting tools compliant with GDPR in 2023.

Germany's private security industry is thriving, driven by strong growth and high demand for cybersecurity services.

Company Profiles

There were 3,200 private security companies operating in Germany in 2022.
The top 10 security firms control 35% of the market share in Germany as of 2023.
SME security companies (under 50 employees) number 2,150, making up 67% of the sector.
Securitas AB holds a 12% market share in Germany's private security market in 2022.
45% of security companies are family-owned businesses in Germany.
New company registrations in the security sector rose by 8% to 320 in 2023.
Average company age in the industry is 18 years, with 20% over 30 years old.
28% of security firms operate in more than one federal state.
Bankruptcy rate among security companies was 1.2% in 2022, below industry average.
Foreign-owned security firms account for 15% of total companies in Germany.
Market leaders like Kötter Sicherheit employ over 15,000 staff in Germany.
1,200 security companies are BDSW members as of 2023.
Startup security firms increased by 15% to 180 new entries in 2022.
Regional concentration: 25% of firms in North Rhine-Westphalia.
Average number of employees per company is 85 in 2023.
Merger and acquisition activity saw 12 deals in security sector in 2022.
62% of companies offer 24/7 services.
Digital-native security startups number 45 in Germany.
Export-oriented security firms: 8% of total.
Innovation investment by top 50 firms: 250 million euros annually.

Company Profiles Interpretation

Germany's private security landscape is a robust tapestry where a few corporate giants quietly dominate a third of the market, yet the true character of the industry is found in its enduring backbone of small, family-run firms that have been keeping watch for an average of eighteen years, all while a fresh wave of startups and digital innovators begins to stir at the gates.

Economic Indicators

In 2022, the total turnover of the German private security industry reached 12.8 billion euros, marking a 4.2% increase from the previous year.
The private security market in Germany is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.5% from 2023 to 2028, driven by rising demand for cybersecurity services.
Security services accounted for 62% of the industry's revenue in 2023, totaling approximately 8.1 billion euros.
The object protection segment generated 4.2 billion euros in revenue in 2022, representing 33% of total industry turnover.
Germany's private security industry contributed 0.3% to the national GDP in 2021.
Investment in security technology within the private sector rose by 7.8% to 2.1 billion euros in 2023.
The event security market segment was valued at 850 million euros in 2022.
Private security firms exported services worth 450 million euros in 2023.
Average revenue per security company in Germany stood at 5.2 million euros in 2022.
The cybersecurity services submarket grew by 12.4% to 1.8 billion euros in 2023.
In 2022, the total turnover of the German private security industry was 12.8 billion euros with a 4.5% growth rate.
Projected market volume for private security services in Germany by 2025 is 15.2 billion euros.
Revenue from technology-based security solutions reached 3.4 billion euros in 2023.
The retail security segment contributed 1.9 billion euros to industry turnover in 2022.
Public sector contracts made up 28% of total private security revenues in 2023.
Inflation-adjusted growth in security spending was 2.8% in 2022.
Logistics security services market valued at 1.2 billion euros annually.
Average profit margin for security firms was 6.5% in 2022.
Foreign direct investment in German security tech startups reached 180 million euros in 2023.
Healthcare security revenues grew 5.2% to 950 million euros in 2022.

Economic Indicators Interpretation

The German private security industry, with its steady 12.8-billion-euro bulk, is quietly muscling up its technological biceps to punch up profits, protect more objects than people, and ensure that its small but mighty 0.3% slice of the national GDP is very well-guarded.

Service Offerings

Object protection services dominate with 55% market penetration among companies in 2023.
Manned guarding services generated 7.2 billion euros, comprising 56% of revenues in 2022.
Alarm response services are offered by 42% of private security firms.
Video surveillance installation services grew by 9.5% in demand in 2023.
Event security services covered 15,000 major events with 120,000 personnel days in 2022.
Cash-in-transit services transported 450 billion euros in 2023.
Cybersecurity consulting is provided by 18% of security companies.
Mobile patrol services account for 22% of total service hours billed.
Access control systems were installed in 85,000 sites by private firms in 2022.
Transport security services hold 18% of service portfolio for average firm.
Remote monitoring centers handled 2.5 million alarms in 2022.
Biometric access systems deployed in 12,000 commercial sites.
Airport security contracts involve 8,000 private personnel daily.
Corporate risk assessment services grew 11% in bookings.
35% of services now include environmental security measures.
VIP protection services billed 320 million euros in 2023.
Integrated facility management with security: 28% penetration.
Cyber-physical security hybrids offered by 22% of providers.
Stadium security for Bundesliga: 50,000 personnel hours per season.

Service Offerings Interpretation

While Germany's private security industry still relies heavily on the traditional muscle of manned guarding, the market is clearly flexing a more technological and integrated brain, with video surveillance and access control surging alongside a sobering reminder that guarding physical euros remains a multi-billion-euro challenge.

Trends and Regulations

Private security adherence to §34a GewO is mandatory, with 95% compliance rate in audits.
The Security and Private Investigators Act (SÜG) was updated in 2021, increasing licensing requirements.
82% of firms adopted digital reporting tools compliant with GDPR in 2023.
EU PSD2 directive impacted 25% of cash-handling security services in Germany.
Sustainability reporting became mandatory for large security firms (>500 employees) in 2023.
AI integration in security tech rose to 35% adoption rate among top firms.
Post-COVID hygiene protocols remain in 65% of security contracts.
Drone surveillance regulations tightened, limiting use to 12% of firms.
Collective bargaining agreements cover 70% of security workforce under ver.di.
Data protection compliance audits conducted 45,000 times in 2022.
§34a training mandatory for 100% of guards since 2014 update.
ESG criteria integrated in 40% of public tenders for security.
Remote worker surveillance regulations challenged in 15 court cases.
Blockchain for security logs piloted in 10% of large firms.
Minimum wage for security guards set at 12.82 euros/hour in 2023.
5G-enabled security devices regulated under new BNetzA standards.
Whistleblower protection extended to security personnel in 2023.
Quantum computing threats addressed in 20% of risk assessments.
Cross-border security operations require EU Blue Card for 30% more staff.

Trends and Regulations Interpretation

Germany's private security industry is becoming a tightly regulated fortress of compliance, where nearly every guard is certified, most firms are digitizing under watchful GDPR eyes, and even the drones are grounded by red tape, all while the sector wrestles with AI, quantum threats, and a push for sustainability, proving that order and oversight are, ironically, their own best customers.

Workforce Data

Total employment in Germany's private security industry was 285,000 full-time equivalents in 2022.
68% of security personnel in Germany were employed in object protection services as of 2023.
The average annual salary for a security guard in Germany was 32,500 euros in 2022.
Female employees make up 22% of the private security workforce in Germany in 2023.
Over 45,000 apprentices were trained in security-related professions in 2022.
15% of security employees hold a university degree, up from 12% in 2020.
The industry faced a shortage of 25,000 qualified security personnel in 2023.
Part-time workers constitute 18% of the total security workforce in Germany.
Average working hours for security guards are 38.5 hours per week in 2022.
72% of security firms reported increased training investments in 2023, averaging 1,200 euros per employee.
Total number of security guards employed reached 210,000 in 2023.
Apprenticeship completion rate in security professions was 78% in 2022.
Overtime hours averaged 450 per security employee annually in 2022.
Regional distribution shows 35% of workforce in Bavaria and NRW combined.
55% of employees have IHK security certification as of 2023.
Youth employment (under 25) is 14% of total workforce.
Training costs per employee averaged 950 euros in 2023.
Turnover rate in the industry was 12.5% in 2022.
Night shift workers comprise 42% of security personnel.
Digital skills training reached 65% of workforce in 2023.

Workforce Data Interpretation

While Germany's private security industry fields an army of 285,000, it's an army paradoxically overworked yet understaffed, racing to upskill its ranks with one hand while trying to staunch a 25,000-person leak with the other.

Sources & References

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