diff --git a/autotests/integration/CMakeLists.txt b/autotests/integration/CMakeLists.txt
--- a/autotests/integration/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/autotests/integration/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -58,6 +58,7 @@
 integrationTest(WAYLAND_ONLY NAME testColorCorrectNightColor SRCS colorcorrect_nightcolor_test.cpp)
 integrationTest(WAYLAND_ONLY NAME testDontCrashCursorPhysicalSizeEmpty SRCS dont_crash_cursor_physical_size_empty.cpp)
 integrationTest(WAYLAND_ONLY NAME testDontCrashReinitializeCompositor SRCS dont_crash_reinitialize_compositor.cpp)
+integrationTest(WAYLAND_ONLY NAME testNoGlobalShortcuts SRCS no_global_shortcuts_test.cpp)
 
 if (XCB_ICCCM_FOUND)
     integrationTest(NAME testMoveResize SRCS move_resize_window_test.cpp LIBS XCB::ICCCM)
diff --git a/autotests/integration/no_global_shortcuts_test.cpp b/autotests/integration/no_global_shortcuts_test.cpp
new file mode 100644
--- /dev/null
+++ b/autotests/integration/no_global_shortcuts_test.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,285 @@
+/********************************************************************
+KWin - the KDE window manager
+This file is part of the KDE project.
+
+Copyright (C) 2018 Martin Flöser <mgraesslin@kde.org>
+
+This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
+it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or
+(at your option) any later version.
+
+This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+GNU General Public License for more details.
+
+You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+*********************************************************************/
+#include "kwin_wayland_test.h"
+#include "cursor.h"
+#include "input.h"
+#include "keyboard_input.h"
+#include "platform.h"
+#include "screenedge.h"
+#include "screens.h"
+#include "wayland_server.h"
+#include "workspace.h"
+
+#include <KConfigGroup>
+#include <KGlobalAccel>
+
+#include <QDBusConnection>
+
+#include <linux/input.h>
+
+using namespace KWin;
+using namespace KWayland::Client;
+
+static const QString s_socketName = QStringLiteral("wayland_test_kwin_no_global_shortcuts-0");
+static const QString s_serviceName = QStringLiteral("org.kde.KWin.Test.ModifierOnlyShortcut");
+static const QString s_path = QStringLiteral("/Test");
+
+Q_DECLARE_METATYPE(KWin::ElectricBorder)
+
+/**
+ * This test verifies the NoGlobalShortcuts initialization flag
+ **/
+class NoGlobalShortcutsTest : public QObject
+{
+    Q_OBJECT
+private Q_SLOTS:
+    void initTestCase();
+    void init();
+    void cleanup();
+
+    void testTrigger_data();
+    void testTrigger();
+    void testKGlobalAccel();
+    void testPointerShortcut();
+    void testAxisShortcut_data();
+    void testAxisShortcut();
+    void testScreenEdge();
+};
+
+class Target : public QObject
+{
+    Q_OBJECT
+    Q_CLASSINFO("D-Bus Interface", "org.kde.KWin.Test.ModifierOnlyShortcut")
+
+public:
+    Target();
+    virtual ~Target();
+
+public Q_SLOTS:
+    Q_SCRIPTABLE void shortcut();
+
+Q_SIGNALS:
+    void shortcutTriggered();
+};
+
+Target::Target()
+    : QObject()
+{
+    QDBusConnection::sessionBus().registerService(s_serviceName);
+    QDBusConnection::sessionBus().registerObject(s_path, s_serviceName, this, QDBusConnection::ExportScriptableSlots);
+}
+
+Target::~Target()
+{
+    QDBusConnection::sessionBus().unregisterObject(s_path);
+    QDBusConnection::sessionBus().unregisterService(s_serviceName);
+}
+
+void Target::shortcut()
+{
+    emit shortcutTriggered();
+}
+
+void NoGlobalShortcutsTest::initTestCase()
+{
+    qRegisterMetaType<KWin::ElectricBorder>("ElectricBorder");
+    QSignalSpy workspaceCreatedSpy(kwinApp(), &Application::workspaceCreated);
+    QVERIFY(workspaceCreatedSpy.isValid());
+    kwinApp()->platform()->setInitialWindowSize(QSize(1280, 1024));
+    QVERIFY(waylandServer()->init(s_socketName.toLocal8Bit(), KWin::WaylandServer::InitalizationFlag::NoGlobalShortcuts));
+
+    kwinApp()->setConfig(KSharedConfig::openConfig(QString(), KConfig::SimpleConfig));
+    qputenv("KWIN_XKB_DEFAULT_KEYMAP", "1");
+    qputenv("XKB_DEFAULT_RULES", "evdev");
+
+    kwinApp()->start();
+    QVERIFY(workspaceCreatedSpy.wait());
+    waylandServer()->initWorkspace();
+}
+
+void NoGlobalShortcutsTest::init()
+{
+    screens()->setCurrent(0);
+    KWin::Cursor::setPos(QPoint(640, 512));
+}
+
+void NoGlobalShortcutsTest::cleanup()
+{
+}
+
+void NoGlobalShortcutsTest::testTrigger_data()
+{
+    QTest::addColumn<QStringList>("metaConfig");
+    QTest::addColumn<QStringList>("altConfig");
+    QTest::addColumn<QStringList>("controlConfig");
+    QTest::addColumn<QStringList>("shiftConfig");
+    QTest::addColumn<int>("modifier");
+    QTest::addColumn<QList<int>>("nonTriggeringMods");
+
+    const QStringList trigger = QStringList{s_serviceName, s_path, s_serviceName, QStringLiteral("shortcut")};
+    const QStringList e = QStringList();
+
+    QTest::newRow("leftMeta") << trigger << e << e << e << KEY_LEFTMETA << QList<int>{KEY_LEFTALT, KEY_RIGHTALT, KEY_LEFTCTRL, KEY_RIGHTCTRL, KEY_LEFTSHIFT, KEY_RIGHTSHIFT};
+    QTest::newRow("rightMeta") << trigger << e << e << e << KEY_RIGHTMETA << QList<int>{KEY_LEFTALT, KEY_RIGHTALT, KEY_LEFTCTRL, KEY_RIGHTCTRL, KEY_LEFTSHIFT, KEY_RIGHTSHIFT};
+    QTest::newRow("leftAlt") << e << trigger << e << e << KEY_LEFTALT << QList<int>{KEY_LEFTMETA, KEY_RIGHTMETA, KEY_LEFTCTRL, KEY_RIGHTCTRL, KEY_LEFTSHIFT, KEY_RIGHTSHIFT};
+    QTest::newRow("rightAlt") << e << trigger << e << e << KEY_RIGHTALT << QList<int>{KEY_LEFTMETA, KEY_RIGHTMETA, KEY_LEFTCTRL, KEY_RIGHTCTRL, KEY_LEFTSHIFT, KEY_RIGHTSHIFT};
+    QTest::newRow("leftControl") << e << e << trigger << e << KEY_LEFTCTRL << QList<int>{KEY_LEFTALT, KEY_RIGHTALT, KEY_LEFTMETA, KEY_RIGHTMETA, KEY_LEFTSHIFT, KEY_RIGHTSHIFT};
+    QTest::newRow("rightControl") << e << e << trigger << e << KEY_RIGHTCTRL << QList<int>{KEY_LEFTALT, KEY_RIGHTALT, KEY_LEFTMETA, KEY_RIGHTMETA, KEY_LEFTSHIFT, KEY_RIGHTSHIFT};
+    QTest::newRow("leftShift") << e << e << e << trigger << KEY_LEFTSHIFT << QList<int>{KEY_LEFTALT, KEY_RIGHTALT, KEY_LEFTCTRL, KEY_RIGHTCTRL, KEY_LEFTMETA, KEY_RIGHTMETA};
+    QTest::newRow("rightShift") << e << e <<  e << trigger <<KEY_RIGHTSHIFT << QList<int>{KEY_LEFTALT, KEY_RIGHTALT, KEY_LEFTCTRL, KEY_RIGHTCTRL, KEY_LEFTMETA, KEY_RIGHTMETA};
+}
+
+void NoGlobalShortcutsTest::testTrigger()
+{
+    // test based on ModifierOnlyShortcutTest::testTrigger
+    Target target;
+    QSignalSpy triggeredSpy(&target, &Target::shortcutTriggered);
+    QVERIFY(triggeredSpy.isValid());
+
+    KConfigGroup group = kwinApp()->config()->group("ModifierOnlyShortcuts");
+    QFETCH(QStringList, metaConfig);
+    QFETCH(QStringList, altConfig);
+    QFETCH(QStringList, shiftConfig);
+    QFETCH(QStringList, controlConfig);
+    group.writeEntry("Meta", metaConfig);
+    group.writeEntry("Alt", altConfig);
+    group.writeEntry("Shift", shiftConfig);
+    group.writeEntry("Control", controlConfig);
+    group.sync();
+    workspace()->slotReconfigure();
+
+    // configured shortcut should trigger
+    quint32 timestamp = 1;
+    QFETCH(int, modifier);
+    kwinApp()->platform()->keyboardKeyPressed(modifier, timestamp++);
+    kwinApp()->platform()->keyboardKeyReleased(modifier, timestamp++);
+    QCOMPARE(triggeredSpy.count(), 0);
+
+    // the other shortcuts should not trigger
+    QFETCH(QList<int>, nonTriggeringMods);
+    for (auto it = nonTriggeringMods.constBegin(), end = nonTriggeringMods.constEnd(); it != end; it++) {
+        kwinApp()->platform()->keyboardKeyPressed(*it, timestamp++);
+        kwinApp()->platform()->keyboardKeyReleased(*it, timestamp++);
+        QCOMPARE(triggeredSpy.count(), 0);
+    }
+}
+
+void NoGlobalShortcutsTest::testKGlobalAccel()
+{
+    QScopedPointer<QAction> action(new QAction(nullptr));
+    action->setProperty("componentName", QStringLiteral(KWIN_NAME));
+    action->setObjectName(QStringLiteral("globalshortcuts-test-meta-shift-w"));
+    QSignalSpy triggeredSpy(action.data(), &QAction::triggered);
+    QVERIFY(triggeredSpy.isValid());
+    KGlobalAccel::self()->setShortcut(action.data(), QList<QKeySequence>{Qt::META + Qt::SHIFT + Qt::Key_W}, KGlobalAccel::NoAutoloading);
+    input()->registerShortcut(Qt::META + Qt::SHIFT + Qt::Key_W, action.data());
+
+    // press meta+shift+w
+    quint32 timestamp = 0;
+    kwinApp()->platform()->keyboardKeyPressed(KEY_LEFTMETA, timestamp++);
+    QCOMPARE(input()->keyboardModifiers(), Qt::MetaModifier);
+    kwinApp()->platform()->keyboardKeyPressed(KEY_LEFTSHIFT, timestamp++);
+    QCOMPARE(input()->keyboardModifiers(), Qt::ShiftModifier | Qt::MetaModifier);
+    kwinApp()->platform()->keyboardKeyPressed(KEY_W, timestamp++);
+    kwinApp()->platform()->keyboardKeyReleased(KEY_W, timestamp++);
+
+    // release meta+shift
+    kwinApp()->platform()->keyboardKeyReleased(KEY_LEFTSHIFT, timestamp++);
+    kwinApp()->platform()->keyboardKeyReleased(KEY_LEFTMETA, timestamp++);
+
+    QVERIFY(!triggeredSpy.wait());
+    QCOMPARE(triggeredSpy.count(), 0);
+}
+
+void NoGlobalShortcutsTest::testPointerShortcut()
+{
+    // based on LockScreenTest::testPointerShortcut
+    QScopedPointer<QAction> action(new QAction(nullptr));
+    QSignalSpy actionSpy(action.data(), &QAction::triggered);
+    QVERIFY(actionSpy.isValid());
+    input()->registerPointerShortcut(Qt::MetaModifier, Qt::LeftButton, action.data());
+
+    // try to trigger the shortcut
+    quint32 timestamp = 1;
+    kwinApp()->platform()->keyboardKeyPressed(KEY_LEFTMETA, timestamp++);
+    kwinApp()->platform()->pointerButtonPressed(BTN_LEFT, timestamp++);
+    QCoreApplication::instance()->processEvents();
+    QCOMPARE(actionSpy.count(), 0);
+    kwinApp()->platform()->pointerButtonReleased(BTN_LEFT, timestamp++);
+    kwinApp()->platform()->keyboardKeyReleased(KEY_LEFTMETA, timestamp++);
+    QCoreApplication::instance()->processEvents();
+    QCOMPARE(actionSpy.count(), 0);
+}
+
+void NoGlobalShortcutsTest::testAxisShortcut_data()
+{
+    QTest::addColumn<Qt::Orientation>("direction");
+    QTest::addColumn<int>("sign");
+
+    QTest::newRow("up") << Qt::Vertical << 1;
+    QTest::newRow("down") << Qt::Vertical << -1;
+    QTest::newRow("left") << Qt::Horizontal << 1;
+    QTest::newRow("right") << Qt::Horizontal << -1;
+}
+
+void NoGlobalShortcutsTest::testAxisShortcut()
+{
+    // based on LockScreenTest::testAxisShortcut
+    QScopedPointer<QAction> action(new QAction(nullptr));
+    QSignalSpy actionSpy(action.data(), &QAction::triggered);
+    QVERIFY(actionSpy.isValid());
+    QFETCH(Qt::Orientation, direction);
+    QFETCH(int, sign);
+    PointerAxisDirection axisDirection = PointerAxisUp;
+    if (direction == Qt::Vertical) {
+        axisDirection = sign > 0 ? PointerAxisUp : PointerAxisDown;
+    } else {
+        axisDirection = sign > 0 ? PointerAxisLeft : PointerAxisRight;
+    }
+    input()->registerAxisShortcut(Qt::MetaModifier, axisDirection, action.data());
+
+    // try to trigger the shortcut
+    quint32 timestamp = 1;
+    kwinApp()->platform()->keyboardKeyPressed(KEY_LEFTMETA, timestamp++);
+    if (direction == Qt::Vertical)
+        kwinApp()->platform()->pointerAxisVertical(sign * 5.0, timestamp++);
+    else
+        kwinApp()->platform()->pointerAxisHorizontal(sign * 5.0, timestamp++);
+    QCoreApplication::instance()->processEvents();
+    QCOMPARE(actionSpy.count(), 0);
+    kwinApp()->platform()->keyboardKeyReleased(KEY_LEFTMETA, timestamp++);
+    QCoreApplication::instance()->processEvents();
+    QCOMPARE(actionSpy.count(), 0);
+}
+
+void NoGlobalShortcutsTest::testScreenEdge()
+{
+    // based on LockScreenTest::testScreenEdge
+    QSignalSpy screenEdgeSpy(ScreenEdges::self(), &ScreenEdges::approaching);
+    QVERIFY(screenEdgeSpy.isValid());
+    QCOMPARE(screenEdgeSpy.count(), 0);
+
+    quint32 timestamp = 1;
+    kwinApp()->platform()->pointerMotion({5, 5}, timestamp++);
+    QCOMPARE(screenEdgeSpy.count(), 0);
+}
+
+WAYLANDTEST_MAIN(NoGlobalShortcutsTest)
+#include "no_global_shortcuts_test.moc"
diff --git a/autotests/integration/start_test.cpp b/autotests/integration/start_test.cpp
--- a/autotests/integration/start_test.cpp
+++ b/autotests/integration/start_test.cpp
@@ -52,6 +52,7 @@
     QVERIFY(workspaceCreatedSpy.isValid());
     kwinApp()->platform()->setInitialWindowSize(QSize(1280, 1024));
     QVERIFY(waylandServer()->init(s_socketName.toLocal8Bit()));
+    QVERIFY(waylandServer()->hasGlobalShortcutSupport());
     kwinApp()->start();
     QVERIFY(workspaceCreatedSpy.wait());
 }
diff --git a/input.cpp b/input.cpp
--- a/input.cpp
+++ b/input.cpp
@@ -1751,25 +1751,32 @@
 
 void InputRedirection::setupInputFilters()
 {
-    if (LogindIntegration::self()->hasSessionControl()) {
+    const bool hasGlobalShortcutSupport = !waylandServer() || waylandServer()->hasGlobalShortcutSupport();
+    if (LogindIntegration::self()->hasSessionControl() && hasGlobalShortcutSupport) {
         installInputEventFilter(new VirtualTerminalFilter);
     }
     if (waylandServer()) {
         installInputEventSpy(new TouchHideCursorSpy);
-        installInputEventFilter(new TerminateServerFilter);
+        if (hasGlobalShortcutSupport) {
+            installInputEventFilter(new TerminateServerFilter);
+        }
         installInputEventFilter(new DragAndDropInputFilter);
         installInputEventFilter(new LockScreenFilter);
         installInputEventFilter(new PopupInputFilter);
         m_windowSelector = new WindowSelectorFilter;
         installInputEventFilter(m_windowSelector);
     }
-    installInputEventFilter(new ScreenEdgeInputFilter);
+    if (hasGlobalShortcutSupport) {
+        installInputEventFilter(new ScreenEdgeInputFilter);
+    }
     installInputEventFilter(new EffectsFilter);
     installInputEventFilter(new MoveResizeFilter);
 #ifdef KWIN_BUILD_TABBOX
     installInputEventFilter(new TabBoxInputFilter);
 #endif
-    installInputEventFilter(new GlobalShortcutFilter);
+    if (hasGlobalShortcutSupport) {
+        installInputEventFilter(new GlobalShortcutFilter);
+    }
     installInputEventFilter(new DecorationEventFilter);
     installInputEventFilter(new InternalWindowEventFilter);
     if (waylandServer()) {
diff --git a/keyboard_input.cpp b/keyboard_input.cpp
--- a/keyboard_input.cpp
+++ b/keyboard_input.cpp
@@ -122,7 +122,9 @@
     m_keyboardLayout->init();
     m_input->installInputEventSpy(m_keyboardLayout);
 
-    m_input->installInputEventSpy(new ModifierOnlyShortcuts);
+    if (waylandServer()->hasGlobalShortcutSupport()) {
+        m_input->installInputEventSpy(new ModifierOnlyShortcuts);
+    }
 
     KeyboardRepeat *keyRepeatSpy = new KeyboardRepeat(m_xkb.data());
     connect(keyRepeatSpy, &KeyboardRepeat::keyRepeat, this,
diff --git a/main_wayland.cpp b/main_wayland.cpp
--- a/main_wayland.cpp
+++ b/main_wayland.cpp
@@ -676,6 +676,10 @@
                                             i18n("Starts the session without lock screen support."));
     parser.addOption(noScreenLockerOption);
 
+    QCommandLineOption noGlobalShortcutsOption(QStringLiteral("no-global-shortcuts"),
+                                               i18n("Starts the session without global shortcuts support."));
+    parser.addOption(noScreenLockerOption);
+
     QCommandLineOption exitWithSessionOption(QStringLiteral("exit-with-session"),
                                              i18n("Exit after the session application, which is started by KWin, closed."),
                                              QStringLiteral("/path/to/session"));
@@ -792,6 +796,9 @@
     } else if (parser.isSet(noScreenLockerOption)) {
         flags = KWin::WaylandServer::InitalizationFlag::NoLockScreenIntegration;
     }
+    if (parser.isSet(noGlobalShortcutsOption)) {
+        flags |= KWin::WaylandServer::InitalizationFlag::NoGlobalShortcuts;
+    }
     if (!server->init(parser.value(waylandSocketOption).toUtf8(), flags)) {
         std::cerr << "FATAL ERROR: could not create Wayland server" << std::endl;
         return 1;
diff --git a/wayland_server.h b/wayland_server.h
--- a/wayland_server.h
+++ b/wayland_server.h
@@ -79,7 +79,8 @@
     enum class InitalizationFlag {
         NoOptions = 0x0,
         LockScreen = 0x1,
-        NoLockScreenIntegration = 0x2
+        NoLockScreenIntegration = 0x2,
+        NoGlobalShortcuts = 0x4
     };
 
     Q_DECLARE_FLAGS(InitalizationFlags, InitalizationFlag)
@@ -153,6 +154,11 @@
      **/
     bool hasScreenLockerIntegration() const;
 
+    /**
+     * @returns whether any kind of global shortcuts are supported.
+     **/
+    bool hasGlobalShortcutSupport() const;
+
     void createInternalConnection();
     void initWorkspace();
 
diff --git a/wayland_server.cpp b/wayland_server.cpp
--- a/wayland_server.cpp
+++ b/wayland_server.cpp
@@ -795,6 +795,11 @@
     return !m_initFlags.testFlag(InitalizationFlag::NoLockScreenIntegration);
 }
 
+bool WaylandServer::hasGlobalShortcutSupport() const
+{
+    return !m_initFlags.testFlag(InitalizationFlag::NoGlobalShortcuts);
+}
+
 void WaylandServer::simulateUserActivity()
 {
     if (m_idle) {