Primate Licensing

The Animal Welfare (Primate Licences) (England) Regulations 2024 (opens new window) comes into force from 6 April 2026.

The legislation brings in a licensing regime, setting strict rules to ensure that only private keepers who can provide zoo-level welfare standards will be able to keep primates.

Private primate keepers will be subject to a strict inspection regime to ensure welfare and licensing standards are upheld.

From 6 April 2026, it will be an offence for anyone to keep a primate without a relevant licence.  Failure to comply with licence conditions could result in an unlimited fine, removal of the primate, or imprisonment for a term of up to six months.

"Primate" means an animal of any species, other than human beings, that belongs to the Primate order of mammals.  This includes, but is not limited to:

• any species of monkey
• any species of ape
• any species of lemur
• any species of loris
• any species of tarsier

To apply for a licence

Please contact thelicensing team for an application form.

How much does a licence cost?

A fee is payable.  Please contact thelicensing team for current fees.

Conditions of the licence

The licence is subject to conditions set out inSchedule 1 (opens new window) of the Act.

What's next?

From 6 April 2026 all private primate keepers will be required to hold a licence, valid for a maximum of three years, and undergo reassessment to renew their permission to keep these animals.  A fee will be payable.

Existing primate keepers will have until 6 April 2026 to achieve compliance with the welfare and licensing standards and become licensed.

If you have any questions, please contact thelicensing team.

Guidance will accompany the standards and will be published in due course.