# Close Protection in Rome, Italy

Canonical page: https://closeprotectionhire.com/cities/rome/

Close protection in Rome, Italy. GPG-licensed operators, vetted transport and executive protection for corporate, diplomatic and HNWI visitors to the Italian capital.


## Threats

- **Terrorism**: Italy faces an elevated terrorism threat, and the FCDO rates it as high. Rome, as the seat of government, the location of the Vatican, and a major international tourist destination, is a recognised potential symbolic target. Italy's intelligence services (AISE and AISI) actively monitor and disrupt domestic threats, and there have been no mass-casualty attacks in Italy in recent years.
- **Petty Crime**: Rome has significant pickpocketing and bag-snatching activity, concentrated at tourist sites (the Colosseum, the Vatican, the Trevi Fountain), on public transport (Termini station, Metro Line A), and in crowded street markets. Organised pickpocket gangs operate at major attractions, frequently using distraction techniques and targeting groups of tourists.
- **Confidence Scams**: Confidence scams targeting tourists and business visitors are common near major tourist sites. These range from unlicensed taxi overcharging to more elaborate schemes. Pre-arranged transport and awareness of standard fares reduce exposure significantly.
- **Civil Disruption**: Rome regularly hosts demonstrations, strikes (scioperi), and public gatherings, particularly affecting transport. Transport strikes can disrupt movement across the city with advance notice, and demonstrations near government buildings can affect the centre. These are usually orderly but can complicate principal movement and scheduling.

## Regulations

- **Licensing**: Private security is governed by the Testo unico delle leggi di pubblica sicurezza (TULPS, Regio Decreto 18 giugno 1931, n. 773), its implementing regulation as amended by DPR 153/2008, and Ministerial Decree 269/2010. Under article 134 the Prefetto licenses security institutes to guard movable and immovable property and to carry out private investigations, and no licence may be granted for operations that involve public functions or limit individual freedom. Under articles 133 and 138, guardie particolari giurate guard property, and the Prefetto approves each one for two years. In Rome the licensing authority is the Prefettura di Roma. Italian law creates no licence for private close protection, and a May 2024 submission to the Chamber of Deputies described it as not allowing guardie giurate to protect people. Ask any provider which licence covers the work it proposes, and take local legal advice before engagement.
- **Firearms**: Under article 138 of the TULPS, when the Prefetto approves a guardia particolare giurata, the Prefetto may also issue a licence to carry arms at a reduced fee where the conditions are met. That licence goes with a role that guards property. The TULPS sets out no licence for armed close protection by private security.
- **Foreign operators**: Article 134 of the TULPS limits the licence to Italian and EU citizens, and lets EU citizens obtain a licence to guard property on the same terms as Italians. Article 138 requires each guardia particolare giurata to be an Italian or EU citizen. A company or guard from outside the EU has no route to these licences.

Sources, checked 2026-10-06:

- [TULPS (Regio Decreto 18 giugno 1931, n. 773), article 133, text (Brocardi)](https://brocardi.it/testo-unico-pubblica-sicurezza/titolo-iv/art133.html)
- [TULPS, article 134, text (Brocardi)](https://brocardi.it/testo-unico-pubblica-sicurezza/titolo-iv/art134.html)
- [TULPS, article 138, text (Brocardi)](https://brocardi.it/testo-unico-pubblica-sicurezza/titolo-iv/art138.html)
- [Prefettura, Decreto Ministeriale 1 dicembre 2010, n. 269, as amended](https://prefettura.interno.gov.it/sites/default/files/57/2024-01/d.m._n._269_2010_emendato.pdf)
- [DPR 4 agosto 2008, n. 153, text (tiropratico.com)](https://www.tiropratico.com/leggi/153_2008.pdf)
- [Camera dei deputati, written submission by Verisure Italia on A.C. 1660 (20 May 2024)](https://documenti.camera.it/leg19/documentiAcquisiti/COM01/Progettodilegge/leg19.com01.Progettodilegge.Contributo%20Scritto.PUBBLICO.ideGes.29378.20-05-2024-18-02-28.512.pdf)

## Zones

Lower-risk areas:

- Parioli: Traditional diplomatic and HNWI residential area with lower crime rates and good security infrastructure.
- EUR: Business district to the south of the city with a purpose-built layout and manageable security environment.
- Aventino and Prati: Upmarket residential areas with moderate security profiles, suitable for accommodation.

Elevated-risk areas:

- Termini station area: Significant concentration of petty crime and drug-related activity, particularly at night.
- Major tourist sites (Colosseum, Vatican, Trevi): Organised pickpocket gang activity targeting distracted visitors.
- Metro Lines A and B: Pickpocket risk, particularly during the tourist season and at peak times.

## Emergency contacts

- Emergency (EU standard): 112
- Carabinieri: 112
- Police (Polizia): 113
- Ambulance: 118
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS switchboard (Largo Agostino Gemelli 8): +39 06 30151 (source: policlinicogemelli.it official contacts page, verified 2026-08-31)
- Policlinico Umberto I poisons centre (Centro Antiveleni): +39 06 4997 8000 (source: salutelazio.it, Regione Lazio official emergency services page, list of Centri Antiveleni, verified 2026-08-31)
- Policlinico Gemelli poisons centre (Centro Antiveleni): +39 06 3054 343 (source: salutelazio.it, Regione Lazio official emergency services page, list of Centri Antiveleni, verified 2026-08-31)
- Non-urgent medical advice line, Lazio region: 116117 (source: salutelazio.it, Regione Lazio official emergency services page, verified 2026-08-31)

## Warnings

- Be vigilant for pickpocket teams at tourist sites. A common technique involves distraction by one person while another removes valuables. Groups working tourist areas warrant particular awareness.
- Only use metered taxis from official ranks or pre-booked apps. Unlicensed taxi overcharging is common at Termini station and at Fiumicino airport.
- The Vatican has its own security jurisdiction; the Swiss Guard and Vatican Gendarmerie operate independently of Italian police. Coordinate any security activity near the Vatican with appropriate liaison.
- Transport strikes (scioperi) are common and usually pre-announced. Check the strike calendar when planning time-critical movements.

Rome is Italy's capital, home to the national government, foreign diplomatic missions, the Vatican, and a significant corporate and financial sector. Major international conferences, G7 presidency activities, and bilateral government meetings regularly bring senior officials and executives to Rome. Within Italy's functional security framework, the considerations for corporate visitors are terrorism at the macro level, persistent petty crime driven by the city's enormous tourist density, and the specific logistical challenges of operating in Rome.

## The security landscape

Rome is a functioning European capital with effective law enforcement and emergency services. The primary security concerns for business visitors are terrorism at the macro level, reflecting the broader European threat environment and Rome's symbolic significance, and petty crime at the day-to-day level, reflecting one of the highest tourist densities in Europe. For most corporate visits, the practical security requirements are verified transport, attention to personal property in tourist areas, and awareness of the city's specific scam environment.

## Terrorism and symbolic targeting

Rome's terrorism risk is shaped by its symbolic importance. As the seat of Italian government, the location of the Vatican, and one of the world's most visited cities, it is a recognised potential target for symbolic attack. The FCDO rates Italy's terrorism threat as high. The counterweight is that Italy's intelligence services are active and effective, with a strong track record of disruption, and there have been no mass-casualty attacks in Italy in recent years. Security services maintain a visible presence at major sites. For visitors, the appropriate posture is heightened awareness at crowded venues and landmarks rather than avoidance.

## The Rome operating environment

Rome presents specific operational challenges that distinguish it from other European capitals. The traffic environment is notoriously difficult, the ZTL restricted traffic zones carry automatic penalties for unauthorised entry, and tourist-area congestion is severe. A vetted security driver with genuine local knowledge is a meaningful security asset rather than a convenience, managing both the practical navigation and the tactical considerations of protective driving.

The Vatican adds a unique jurisdictional dimension. As a sovereign state with its own security forces, the Vatican requires coordination with its security liaison for any assignment involving events or audiences within its territory. This is a specific planning factor for diplomatic and high-profile principals.

## Our operations in Rome

For senior executives, HNWI clients, and diplomatic visitors, our Rome network provides GPG-licensed close protection, vetted transport with drivers who know the city's specific challenges, and residential security to international standards. All operators hold current certification under Italy's TULPS framework.

For broader Italian and European context see our [Milan city page](/cities/milan/) and [Naples city page](/cities/naples/).

*Source: FCDO Italy travel advisory (April 2026). Italian TULPS private security framework. OSAC Italy Country Security Report 2025. Vatican security jurisdiction documentation.*

## Frequently asked questions

### Do corporate visitors to Rome need close protection?

Most corporate visits to Rome do not require dedicated close protection. Italy is a functioning European democracy with effective law enforcement. The scenarios that warrant personal protection are high-profile executives with known threat exposure, senior government or diplomatic visitors, HNWI clients making public appearances at high-profile venues, and anyone who has received a credible threat. For routine visits, a vetted security driver who can navigate Rome's traffic is the more common security support.

### What is the terrorism risk in Rome?

Italy's FCDO-rated high terrorism threat reflects the broader European environment, and Rome's symbolic importance as the seat of government and the location of the Vatican makes it a recognised potential target. Italy's intelligence services (AISE and AISI) are active and effective, and there have been no mass-casualty attacks in Italy in recent years. Security services treat Rome's symbolic sites accordingly, and the practical posture for visitors is standard heightened awareness at crowded venues and major landmarks.

### How does driving in Rome work for security purposes?

Rome's traffic environment is challenging even for experienced drivers, and a vetted security driver with local knowledge is strongly recommended over self-driving or a standard hire car. The driver manages the specific challenges of ZTL restricted traffic zones (which carry automatic fines for unauthorised entry), chaotic tourist-area traffic, and the tactical considerations relevant to protective driving. Local route knowledge is a genuine security asset in Rome rather than a convenience.

### What is the security position around the Vatican?

The Vatican is a sovereign state with its own security jurisdiction. The Swiss Guard and the Vatican Gendarmerie Corps operate independently of Italian police within Vatican territory. Any close protection assignment involving Vatican events, audiences, or diplomatic engagements requires coordination with the appropriate Vatican security liaison, as private security cannot operate within Vatican jurisdiction in the way it can in Italian territory. This is a specific planning consideration for diplomatic and high-profile principals.

### How do I verify a licensed operator in Italy?

Security companies in Italy require a Prefettura licence under article 134 of the TULPS. Italian law has no separate licence for close protection officers: the guardia particolare giurata role approved by the Prefetto covers guarding property. The TULPS sets out no armed close protection licence. Ask any Italian security company which licence covers the work it proposes, and verify the company's Prefettura licence before engagement.