Industry Statistics and Trends
Private Security Services in Europe key trends
Europe's high-profile events amplify private security demand.
Major events such as royal occasions, the 2024 Summer Olympics and the UEFA European Football Championship are intensifying the need for private security for crowd control.
Cash usage is falling rapidly across Europe.
The growing use of contactless payments is shifting everyday transactions towards digital means, cutting demand for cash management services.
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Private Security Services in Europe
Industry Revenue
Total value and annual change from 2012-2030. Includes 5-year outlook.
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Private Security Services in Europe market size (2020-2025)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 1.9 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €76.5bn in 2025.
Trends and Insights
Major European events drive significant growth and contract wins
- Europe has hosted several high-profile events, which have necessitated a major security presence and supported revenue growth. These one-off, large-scale deployments have provided substantial short-term revenue spikes and supported overall top-line growth across the industry.
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Private Security Services in Europe outlook (2025-2030)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Slumping use of cash will weigh on some services, but promising growth opportunities in cybersecurity exist
- In 2024, cash accounted for 52% of transactions in the eurozone, down from 59% in 2022 and 79% in 2016, according to Reuters. According to Sweden's central bank, in 2025, only 10% of transactions in Sweden were made with cash, with mobile payment systems like Swish and card payments dominating. This long-term trend of most European regions moving more towards a cashless society is on course, with contactless payments becoming even more commonplace.
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Revenue
€76.5bn
Employees
2m
Wages
€XX.Xbn
European Leaders & Laggards
* CAGR values are for the years 2020-2025.
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Biggest companies in the Private Security Services in Europe
| Company | Market Share (%)
2025 | Revenue (€m)
2025 | Profit (€m)
2025 | Profit Margin (%)
2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Securitas AB | 15,102.7 | 1,064.8 | 7.1 | |
Atlas Ontario LP | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
Prosegur Compañía de Seguridad, SA | 5,374.2 | 333.0 | 6.2 |
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Private Security Services in Europe
Products & Services Segmentation
Industry revenue broken down by key product and services lines.
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Top Questions Answered in this Report
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What is the market size of the Private Security Services industry in Europe in 2025?
The market size of the Private Security Services industry in Europe is €76.5bn in 2025.
How many businesses are there in the Private Security Services industry in Europe in 2025?
There are 99,577 businesses in the Private Security Services industry in Europe, which has grown at a CAGR of 5.6 % between 2020 and 2025.
Has the Private Security Services industry in Europe grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Private Security Services industry in Europe has been growing at a CAGR of 1.9 % between 2020 and 2025.
What is the forecast growth of the Private Security Services industry in Europe over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Private Security Services industry in Europe is expected to grow.
What does the Private Security Services industry in Europe include?
Security guard services and Armoured car services are part of the Private Security Services industry in Europe.
Which countries have the most businesses in the Private Security Services industry in Europe?
The European country with the most businesses in the Private Security Services industry is Russia.
How competitive is the Private Security Services industry in Europe?
The level of competition is moderate and steady in the Private Security Services industry in Europe.
Related Industries
This industry is covered in 37 countries
- Private Security Services in Greece
- Private Security Services in Romania
- Private Security Services in Norway
- Private Security Services in the UK
- Private Security Services in Germany
- Private Security Services in Estonia
- Private Security Services in Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Private Security Services in Iceland
- Private Security Services in Europe
- Private Security Services in the UK
- Private Security Activities in Germany
- Private Security Services in Austria
- Private Security Services in France
- Private Security Services in Lithuania
- Private Security Services in the Netherlands
- Private Security Services in Belgium
- Private Security Services in Cyprus
- Private Security Services in Finland
- Private Security Services in Bulgaria
- Private Security Services in Luxembourg
- Private Security Services in Russia
- Private Security Services in Slovakia
- Private Security Services in Italy
- Private Security Services in Sweden
- Private Security Services in Poland
- Private Security Services in Latvia
- Private Security Services in Croatia
- Private Security Services in Slovenia
- Private Security Services in Spain
- Private Security Services in Portugal
- Private Security Services in Serbia
- Private Security Services in Hungary
- Private Security Services in Switzerland
- Private Security Services in Czechia
- Private Security Services in Denmark
- Private Security Services in Turkey
- Private Security Services in Ireland
- Private Security Services in Malta
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Companies in the industry provide guard and patrol services, armoured car services and polygraph and fingerprint services. They also pick up and deliver money and offer security shredding of information on any media.
Related Terms
POLYGRAPH REMOTE GUARDINGCASH-IN-TRANSITWhat's included in this industry?
Security guard servicesArmoured car servicesFingerprint servicesPolygraph servicesCompanies
Securitas ABAtlas Ontario LPProsegur Compañía de Seguridad, SAIndustry Code
801 - Private security activities in Europe
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Performance
Key Takeaways
Major European events drive significant growth and contract wins
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Revenue Highlights
Trends
- Revenue
- 2025 Revenue Growth
- Revenue Volatility
Employment Highlights
Trends
- Employees
- Employees per Business
- Revenue per Employee
Business Highlights
Trends
- Businesses
- Employees per Business
- Revenue per Business
Profit Highlights
Trends
- Total Profit
- Profit Margin
- Profit per Business
Current Performance
Charts
- Revenue in the Private Security Services in Europe industry (2012 -2030)
- Employees in the Private Security Services in Europe industry (2012 -2030)
- Business in the Private Security Services in Europe industry (2012 -2030)
- Profit in the Private Security Services in Europe industry (2012 -2030)
Analysis
What's driving current industry performance in the Private Security Services in Europe industry?
Outlook
Analysis
What's driving the Private Security Services in Europe industry outlook?
Volatility
Analysis
What influences volatility in the Private Security Services in Europe industry?
Charts
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth Matrix
Life Cycle
Analysis
What determines the industry life cycle stage in the Private Security Services in Europe industry?
Charts
- Industry Life Cycle Matrix
Products and Markets
Highlights
Trends
- Largest Market
- Product Innovation
Key Takeaways
Falling cash usage curbs armoured car services demand. As transactions have moved towards digital platforms, the need for secure cash transport provided by private security companies has dropped.
Products and Services
Charts
- Products and Services Segmentation
Analysis
How are the Private Security Services in Europe industry's products and services performing?
Analysis
What are innovations in the Private Security Services in Europe industry's products and services?
Major Markets
Charts
- Major Market Segmentation
Analysis
What influences demand in the Private Security Services in Europe industry?
International Trade
Highlights
- Largest Importer
- Smallest Importer
- Total Imports into Europe
- Largest Exporter
- Smallest Exporter
- Total Exports into Europe
Heat maps
- Industry Concentration of Imports by Country
- Industry Concentration of Exports by Country
Data Tables
Value and annual change (%) included
- Number of Imports and Exports by European Country (2025)
Geographic Breakdown
Business Locations
Heat maps
- Share of Total Industry Revenue by Region (2025)
- Share of Total Industry Enterprises by Region (2025)
- Share of Total Industry Employment by Region (2025)
- Share of Total Industry Wages by Region (2025)
Industry Geographic Breakdown
Data Tables
Values and annual change provided for 37 European countries:
- Revenue (2025)
- IVA (2025)
- Enterprises (2025)
- Employment (2025)
- Exports (2025)
- Imports (2025)
Competitive Forces
Highlights
Trends
- Concentration
- Competition
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer Power
- Supplier Power
Key Takeaways
Big agencies use economies of scope to attract clients. Security agencies use their integrated security systems, including personnel and modern technology, to attract clients.
Supply Chain
Charts
Buyer and supply industries
Companies
Market Share
Charts
- Industry Market Share by Company (2020-2025)
Companies
Data Tables
Top 10 companies by market share:
- Market share (2025)
- Revenue (2025)
- Profit (2025)
- Profit Margin (2025)
Data Tables
- Countries of operation for Securitas AB
- Countries of operation for Atlas Ontario LP
- Countries of operation for Prosegur Compañía de Seguridad, SA
- Countries of operation for Securalliance Group
- Countries of operation for GardaWorld Corporation
- Countries of operation for The Brink’s Company
- Countries of operation for ISS A/S
- Countries of operation for MITIE Group plc
- Countries of operation for KÖTTER GmbH & Co KG Verwaltungsdienstleistungen
- Countries of operation for Pond Security Service GmbH
External Environment
Highlights
Trends
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key Takeaways
Security guards need official training and licences. Many countries in Europe have a private security regulator that gives out permits to trained security guards.
External Drivers
Analysis
What demographic and macroeconomic factors impact the Private Security Services in Europe industry?
Financial Benchmarks
Highlights
Trends
- Profit Margin
- Average Wage
- Largest Cost
Key Takeaways
Security companies' profits rebound post-pandemic. As public events like sports matches and music concerts resumed in 2021, demand for crowd control surged, boosting revenue and profitability.
Cost Structure
Charts
- Share of Economy vs. Investment Matrix
-
Industry Cost Structure Benchmarks:
- Marketing
- Depreciation
- Profit
- Purchases
- Wages
- Rent
- Utilities
- Other
Analysis
What trends impact cost in the Private Security Services in Europe industry?
Key Ratios
Data tables
- IVA/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Imports/Demand (2015-2030)
- Exports/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Employee (2015-2030)
- Wages/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Employees per Establishment (2015-2030)
- Average Wage (2015-2030)
Country Benchmarks
European Leaders & Laggards
Data Tables
Top and bottom five countries listed for each:
- Revenue Growth (2025)
- Business Growth (2025)
- Job Growth (2025)
European Country Performance
Data Tables
Rankings available for 37 countries. Statistics ranked include:
- IVA/Revenue (2025)
- Imports/Demand (2025)
- Exports/Revenue (2025)
- Revenue per Employee (2025)
- Wages/Revenue (2025)
- Employees per Establishment (2025)
- Average Wage (2025)
Structural Comparison
Data Tables
Trends in 37 countries benchmarked against trends in Europe
- Concentration
- Competition
- Barriers to Entry
- Buyer Power
- Supplier Power
- Volatility
- Capital Intensity
- Innovation
- Life Cycle
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2015-2030)
- IVA (2015-2030)
- Establishments (2015-2030)
- Enterprises (2015-2030)
- Employment (2015-2030)
- Exports (2015-2030)
- Imports (2015-2030)
- Wages (2015-2030)
Methodology
Where does IBISWorld source its data?
IBISWorld is a world-leading provider of business information, with reports on 5,000+ industries in Australia, New Zealand, North America, Europe and China. Our expert industry analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build an accurate picture of each industry.
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and IBISWorld's proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
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