How Much Does a Bodyguard Cost in the UK? (2026 Pricing Guide)

The most common question clients ask us is: how much does a bodyguard cost in the UK? It is a reasonable question. Too few security companies answer it clearly. This guide gives you real figures and explains what drives the price up or down. It also helps you understand what you are actually paying for when you hire a close protection officer.

The short answer is this: a professional close protection officer in the UK costs between £300 and £1,000 per day. However, the exact figure depends on the threat level, location, duration, and experience required. Most London assignments sit in the £400 to £600 per day range. The day rate alone, though, tells you very little about value.

What Determines How Much a Bodyguard Costs in the UK?

No two protection assignments are the same. Consider the difference between a one-day escort for a public figure at a low-key London event and a sustained operation for an executive travelling across multiple countries. They are fundamentally different jobs. Therefore, the variables that drive the cost are worth understanding before you make any enquiries.

The Nature and Level of Threat

A professional threat assessment is the starting point for any legitimate protection operation. The assessed level of risk directly determines the staffing, equipment, and planning required. A low-threat domestic assignment requires one experienced officer operating discreetly. For example, accompanying a public figure to a series of UK engagements fits this profile. A high-threat international operation is a different matter entirely. In this case, advance reconnaissance, a full protection detail, and secure vehicles are all essential.

Be cautious of companies that quote a price before asking about your situation. That is a warning sign, not a convenience.

Duration of the Assignment

Day rates are the standard unit in close protection. The longer the assignment, the more likely you are to negotiate a structured rate. However, do not expect a steep discount simply because the work is ongoing. Sustained high-quality protection requires consistent staffing, and that costs what it costs. Short-notice assignments typically attract a premium over the standard day rate. Specifically, if you need cover within 24 to 48 hours, expect to pay more.

Number of Officers Required

A single close protection officer provides a baseline level of protection. For higher-threat environments, you will need a full team. The same applies to principals with a large public profile or residential security requirements. Residential security teams provide 24-hour static and mobile cover. They involve shift rotations and team leadership, and the cost reflects this. As a rule of thumb, every additional officer adds their day rate plus coordination overhead.

Location — London vs the Rest of the UK

London commands higher rates than most of the UK. This reflects the cost of operating in the capital: travel time, congestion, and the concentration of experienced officers who command market rates. International deployments carry additional costs beyond the day rate. These include flights, accommodation, subsistence, and sometimes local liaison or in-country support.

Specialist Requirements

Some assignments require capabilities beyond standard close protection. Secure driving is a common addition for principal transport. It requires an officer who has completed advanced protective driving training. Hostile environment experience for international travel also adds to the rate. Additionally, factors such as bilingual officers, former armed police, specialist military backgrounds, or female close protection officers can affect pricing. On the question of weapons: bodyguards in the UK do not carry firearms. This is illegal without specific Home Office authorisation. Any company suggesting otherwise should be avoided immediately.

How Much Does a Bodyguard Cost in the UK — The Three Day Rate Tiers

The ranges below reflect current market rates for SIA-licensed close protection officers in the UK. They are honest figures, not artificially low numbers designed to get you on the phone. Understanding how much a bodyguard costs in the UK means understanding the market’s three broad tiers. Each tier reflects a different level of experience and operational capability.

Standard Close Protection Officer — £300 to £450 per day

This covers a competent, SIA-licensed CPO for a lower-threat domestic assignment. It is appropriate for one-off event cover or entry-level personal protection. For example, accompanying a public figure at a low-risk engagement fits this bracket. The risk profile is manageable and the logistics are straightforward. Be cautious of anything quoted significantly below this range. A legitimate, insured, SIA-licensed officer has a minimum below which the work is simply not viable.

Experienced London-Based CPO — £400 to £600 per day

This is the most common range for London personal protection assignments. It covers corporate executives, HNW individuals, and public figures. At this level, you are engaging an officer with a credible operational background. Typically, these operatives are former military or police with specific close protection training. They also have a track record of real deployments. The planning, communication, and judgement that comes with genuine experience is, ultimately, where the additional cost goes.

Senior Specialist or High-Risk Deployment — £600 to £1000+ per day

Former specialist units command rates at this level. These include SO1 Specialist Protection, SO14 Royalty Protection, SAS, and SBS. For certain assignments, they are the appropriate and necessary choice. High-risk international deployments fall into this tier. So do sustained VIP operations for principals facing credible threats and assignments requiring team leadership and advance work. At the upper end of this range, you are pricing a full protection operation. It is no longer about an individual officer — it is about a coordinated team.

Beyond the Day Rate — What Else You Will Pay For

The day rate covers the officer’s time and expertise. It does not, however, cover everything an operation requires. When comparing quotes, make sure you understand what is and is not included.

Several items typically sit outside the day rate. Vehicle costs and fuel apply where a security driver or follow car is needed. Accommodation and subsistence cover multi-day assignments away from the officer’s base. International deployments add flights and ground transport. For complex or venue-specific operations, advance work and reconnaissance time attract a separate charge. Finally, any specialist equipment required for the assignment adds further cost. A reputable company will itemise all of these clearly in a written proposal. Vague or all-inclusive quotes from operators you cannot verify are a risk.

What You Should Never Compromise On

Cost is a legitimate consideration. Hiring the most expensive option does not automatically mean you are getting the best protection. However, there are things you should never accept at any price point.

Every close protection officer working in the UK must hold a valid SIA licence. Ask for it. Check it on the SIA licence checker. No valid licence, no conversation. Beyond the licence, ask about insurance. Specifically, does the company carry adequate public liability cover for the work they are undertaking? Can they provide references or demonstrate a track record? Do they carry out a threat assessment before quoting? Or are they giving you a number before they know anything about your situation?

The close protection market includes some outstanding operators. Unfortunately, it also includes those who will take your money and provide very little in return. The difference is not always visible in a website or a quote. Ask the hard questions. Understanding what to look for when hiring a bodyguard will protect you from spending money in the wrong place.

Corporate and Event Requirements — Martyn’s Law

The cost picture changes if you are a venue operator, event organiser, or business with legal obligations to consider. In this context, the approach to security is fundamentally different. The Protect Duty, known informally as Martyn’s Law, places new requirements on venues and events. Specifically, they must have considered and implemented appropriate security measures. Engaging a security consultancy for venue risk assessment or event security planning sits within a different cost structure to personal close protection. Consequently, if this applies to your situation, a consultancy-led approach is the appropriate starting point. Begin with a formal risk assessment, not a bodyguard day rate.

How to Get an Accurate Quote

A professional security company cannot give you a meaningful quote without understanding your situation. To get a useful figure on how much a bodyguard costs in the UK for your specific requirement, come prepared. Be ready to share who requires protection and why. Describe the nature of any perceived or actual threat, if known. Confirm the dates, duration, and locations involved. Note any requirements around discretion, driving, or specialist capability. Finally, give an approximate budget range if you have one.

There is no obligation to have all of these answers fully formed. A good operator will help you work through what is needed. What matters is that the company asks these questions rather than skipping straight to a number.

If you would like to discuss a specific requirement, contact Security and Safety Solutions directly. Whether it is a one-day engagement, an ongoing personal protection arrangement, or an organisation-wide security review, we can help. We carry out an initial assessment before making any recommendations. We will also tell you honestly if what you need is outside our scope. In that case, we will point you in the right direction.

Further reading: What does a close protection specialist actually do?, and the softer skills that make a great bodyguard.