Security and alarm businesses in Alicante: buying, selling and valuation
In the statistics of the INE (Spanish National Statistics Institute), the security and investigation activities division, which groups private security, security systems services and investigation activities, had 156 active establishments in the province of Alicante in 2025, 40.9% of those in the Valencian Community (Comunidad Valenciana). It is a sector with few establishments compared with others on this website.
At regional level, the INE records 285 active companies in this division across the Valencian Community in 2025. Bear in mind that, depending on how each company is classified, some of the alarm or camera installers that provide neither guarding nor connection to a monitoring centre may be listed under other activities, such as electrical installation.
Security and alarms · Alicante in figures
Active establishments in the province (CNAE activity code 80)
156
Share of the Valencian Community
40.9%
Active companies in the province (all activities)
145,106
What affects the value of security and alarm businesses in Alicante
In security, the difference between installing and connecting is huge. A company that only sells and installs equipment depends on winning new customers every month; one that charges subscriptions for connection to an alarm receiving centre or for maintenance has recurring income the buyer can project. Show the number of subscribers, the average monthly charge, new sign-ups and cancellations each year and the age of the portfolio.
The activity is regulated and requires specific administrative authorisations and registrations depending on the service provided. The buyer will check that they are valid, that they cover everything the company does and how the change of ownership affects each one. In a transaction in this sector, the authorisations are often as important as the customers.
In guarding, the value lies in the customer contracts and in a workforce with the required licence. Staff costs are the largest item and the sector collective agreement shapes margins, so the buyer will review the service contracts, their prices and their length, and each security guard's employment terms. It is advisable to have an employment adviser help prepare that information.
Finally, the quality of the technology counts (installed equipment, management platform, own or outsourced control centre), as do dependence on one or two large customers and reputation in a sector where a serious failure can cost contracts.
Indicative valuation multiples
| Method | Range | Median |
|---|---|---|
| SDE (small businesses) | 2× – 3.5× | 2.8× |
| EBITDA (medium-sized businesses) | 4× – 7× | 5.5× |
Frequently asked questions
The INE publishes the province's establishments in the security and investigation division, which is the figure on this page. It counts premises, not companies, and does not include many alarm installers, who are classified under other activities.
Because it is monthly income that repeats for as long as the customer does not cancel. A buyer can calculate how much that portfolio will contribute in the coming years, something they cannot do with one-off equipment sales.
It depends on how the sale is structured and on the authorisation. Changes of ownership or control usually have to be notified to the competent authority, and the company must continue to meet the requirements. It is worth confirming this with a legal adviser before completion.
The service contracts with customers and their length, the workforce and their licences, compliance with the collective agreement, possible employment claims, the administrative authorisations and the concentration of turnover in a few customers.
Yes, especially if it has paying subscribers. A larger company in the sector may be interested in adding that portfolio to its monitoring centre and technical network. A well-documented portfolio with low cancellations is what attracts most.
Other sectors in Alicante
HVAC and air conditioningElectrical installationPlumbingCommercial cleaningManufacturing and industryConstruction and refurbishmentDistribution and logisticsProfessional servicesHospitality and restaurantsHealth and wellbeingRetailSolar energyTechnology and ITProvince of AlicanteWhat is your business worth?
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- Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE): Locales por provincia, actividad principal (divisiones CNAE 2009) y estrato de asalariados
- Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE): Locales por CCAA, actividad principal (grupos CNAE 2009) y estrato de asalariados
- Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE): Empresas por provincia y estrato de asalariados
- Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE): Empresas por CCAA, actividad principal (grupos CNAE 2009) y estrato de asalariados
Latest official data available on the date given for each source.
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