How Much Does a Bodyguard Cost in the UK? Real 2026 Day Rates

How much does a bodyguard cost in the UK? It is the first question most clients ask us, and too few security companies answer it clearly. In short, this guide gives you real 2026 figures. It also explains what drives the price up or down, what sits outside the day rate, and the warning signs of a cheap quote.

The short answer: a professional, SIA-licensed close protection officer costs between £350 and £1,000+ per day. Most London assignments sit in the £400 to £650 range. However, the day rate alone tells you very little about value. The sections below explain why.

How much does a bodyguard cost in the UK? 2026 day rates at a glance

UK bodyguard costs are quoted as a day rate. Typically, a standard day covers 10 to 12 hours. The ranges below reflect the current market for licensed, insured and experienced officers. Equally, they are honest figures, not low numbers designed to get you on the phone.

• Standard close protection officer, lower-threat assignment outside London: £350 to £450 per day
• Experienced London-based close protection officer: £400 to £650 per day
• Senior specialist or high-risk deployment: £600 to £1,000+ per day
• Small close protection team (two to three officers): £900 to £2,000+ per day
• 24-hour residential cover (two-officer rotation): from around £5,000 per week
• Single officer at a private event: from around £250 to £350, depending on hours

Note that these figures cover the officer’s time only. Vehicles, accommodation, travel and advance work are billed separately. For this reason, we explain each of these further down. Importantly, anything quoted well below these ranges deserves careful questions. A legitimate, insured, licensed officer has a floor below which the work is not viable.

The three day-rate tiers explained

Standard officer: bodyguard cost UK from £350 to £450 per day

This tier covers a competent, SIA-licensed officer for a lower-threat domestic assignment. For example, accompanying a client to a low-risk public engagement outside the capital. In other words, the logistics are straightforward and the risk profile is manageable. It is appropriate for one-off cover or entry-level personal protection.

Experienced London officer: bodyguard prices UK from £400 to £650 per day

This is the most common range for London personal protection. Specifically, it covers corporate executives, high-net-worth families and public figures. At this level you are engaging someone with a credible operational background. Typically, that means former military or police with formal close protection training and a track record of real deployments. The planning, communication and judgement that come with experience are where the additional cost goes.

Senior specialist: close protection day rate UK from £600 to £1,000+

Former specialist units command rates at this level. These include Metropolitan Police Specialist Protection and Royalty Protection officers and UK Special Forces. For instance, high-risk international deployments fall into this tier. So do sustained operations for principals facing credible threats, and assignments requiring team leadership and advance work. At the upper end, you are pricing a coordinated protection operation rather than an individual officer.

What determines how much a bodyguard costs in the UK?

No two protection assignments are the same. For example, a one-day escort to a London event and a month-long international operation are fundamentally different jobs. Therefore, six variables drive the final figure.

1. The level of threat

A professional threat assessment is the starting point for any legitimate protection operation. In turn, the assessed risk determines the staffing, equipment and planning required. A low-threat assignment needs one experienced officer working discreetly. In contrast, a high-threat operation needs advance reconnaissance, a full team and secure vehicles. Be cautious of any company that quotes a price before asking about your situation. That is a warning sign, not a convenience.

2. Duration and notice

Longer assignments usually attract a structured weekly or monthly rate. However, do not expect a steep discount simply because the work is ongoing. After all, consistent, high-quality staffing costs what it costs. Short-notice bookings, particularly within 24 to 48 hours, typically carry a premium.

3. Number of officers

A single officer provides a baseline level of protection. In contrast, higher-threat environments, high-profile principals and residential requirements need a team. As a rule of thumb, every additional officer adds their day rate plus a coordination overhead. Residential security teams providing 24-hour cover involve shift rotations and a team leader, and the cost reflects this.

4. Location

London commands higher rates than most of the UK. This reflects travel time, congestion and the concentration of experienced officers in the capital. For a London-specific breakdown, see our guide to bodyguard prices in London. Remote assignments elsewhere in the UK may add travel and local support costs. Similarly, international work adds flights, accommodation and sometimes in-country liaison.

5. Specialist requirements

Some assignments need capabilities beyond standard close protection. For example, secure driving is a common addition and requires advanced protective driving training. Hostile environment experience, bilingual officers, trauma medical training and female officers can all affect the rate. On the question of weapons: bodyguards in the UK do not carry firearms. Any company suggesting otherwise should be avoided.

6. Experience and qualifications

An SIA licence is the legal minimum, not a mark of quality. Former Royal Military Police, British Army and police protection officers therefore command higher rates because of the operational experience they bring. Additional credentials such as the ASIS Certified Protection Professional (CPP) or advanced driving qualifications also affect the rate.

Beyond the day rate: the full cost of hiring a bodyguard UK clients should budget for

The day rate covers the officer’s time and expertise. However, it does not cover everything an operation requires. Consequently, when you compare quotes, make sure you understand what is included.

Several items typically sit outside the day rate. Vehicle costs and fuel apply where a security driver or follow car is needed. Likewise, 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 work, advance reconnaissance attracts a separate charge. Finally, any specialist equipment adds further cost. A reputable company itemises all of these in a written proposal. Vague all-inclusive quotes from operators you cannot verify are a risk.

Agency fees versus an independent operator: how bodyguard prices UK are structured

Bodyguard costs in the UK are structured in two ways: through a security company or directly with an independent operator. Each has implications for cost and accountability.

A company manages selection, vetting, briefing and deployment on your behalf. Its fee is then built into the day rate. For many clients that is worth paying. Above all, the company takes accountability for quality, provides cover if an officer is unavailable, carries the insurance and can scale the team up or down. An independent operator may quote a lower rate. However, if they are unavailable you have no backup, and the vetting burden falls on you.

At Security and Safety Solutions, the person you speak to is the person who manages your assignment. We do not use booking coordinators or third-party subcontractors. As a result, you have a direct line to the operational decision-maker throughout.

Why a cheap bodyguard cost UK quote is a warning sign

Search online and you will find providers quoting far below the figures above. Some are licensed operatives working independently on thin margins. Others, however, are unlicensed individuals marketing themselves as security professionals. Working as a close protection officer without a current SIA licence is illegal in the UK. Consequently, hiring one exposes you to legal and physical risk.

Beyond licensing, there is a real quality gap between a newly licensed operative and a senior practitioner with fifteen years of live assignments. In close protection, that gap can matter enormously. A realistic rate for a properly qualified, experienced officer starts at around £350 to £400 per day. Below that figure, understand exactly what you are buying.

What you should never compromise on

Cost is a legitimate consideration. Indeed, the most expensive option is not automatically the best protection. However, some things you should never accept at any price.

First, every close protection officer working in the UK must hold a valid licence. Whatever bodyguard cost UK providers quote, this check comes before price. Ask for it, then check it on the Security Industry Authority licence checker. In short: no valid licence, no conversation. Next, ask about insurance: does the company carry adequate public liability cover for the work? Can they provide references? Do they carry out a threat assessment before quoting? Our guide on how to hire a bodyguard in the UK walks through each of these checks in detail.

Venues, events and the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act

The cost picture changes if you are a venue operator, event organiser or business with legal duties. The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, known as Martyn’s Law, places new requirements on qualifying premises and events. In this context, the right starting point is a formal risk assessment, not a bodyguard cost UK day rate. Our security consultants and event security team work within a different cost structure to personal close protection.

How much does a bodyguard cost in the UK for your situation? Getting an accurate quote

A professional company cannot give you a meaningful figure without understanding your situation. To get a useful quote, come prepared. Be ready to share who requires protection and why. Next, describe the nature of any perceived or actual threat. Then 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.

You do not need every answer fully formed. Instead, 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.

Common questions about bodyguard costs in the UK

Can I hire a bodyguard for just one day?

Yes. Single-day and single-event cover is a standard part of what we do. The minimum engagement is typically a full 10 to 12 hour day, although short assignments can be discussed. Short-notice bookings are possible subject to availability.

Bodyguard prices UK: is London more expensive than elsewhere?

Generally, yes. London rates reflect the higher cost of operating in the city and the concentration of specialist operatives. By comparison, assignments across the South of England typically sit towards the lower end of the London range.

What does the close protection day rate UK include?

The daily rate covers the officer’s time for the agreed period, their planning and briefing, and management of the assignment. It does not normally include vehicles, fuel, accommodation or subsistence. Instead, these are billed separately at cost and explained at quotation stage.

Are bodyguard costs tax-deductible for a business?

It depends on the circumstances and your tax position. Where protection is required for a business principal as part of a documented risk management programme, there is a reasonable basis to treat it as a business expense. We recommend taking advice from your accountant.

Will my bodyguard be armed?

No. Civilian close protection officers in the UK do not carry firearms. Instead, UK close protection is built on planning, protective movement, advance work and risk mitigation rather than armed response.

Talk to Security and Safety Solutions

Security and Safety Solutions is led by Tom Richmond, a former commissioned officer in the Royal Military Police who holds a Level 7 Diploma in Security Management. Importantly, we carry out an initial assessment before making any recommendation. Every quote is a fixed fee for a defined scope, so there are no surprises. We will also tell you honestly if what you need sits outside our scope. Contact us for a confidential, no-obligation conversation about bodyguard services in London and across the South of England.