Apply for a primate licence
The Animal Welfare (Primate Licences) (England) Regulations 2024 will come into force on 6 April 2025. They introduce a licensing scheme with strict conditions, meaning that from 6 April 2026 only private keepers who can meet zoo-level welfare standards will be allowed to keep primates.
The licensing requirements apply to the following species:
- marmosets
- tamarins
- squirrel monkeys
- spider monkeys
- capuchin monkeys
- lemurs
- lorisids (also known as bush babies)
From 6 April 2026, you must have a licence to keep a primate privately or to start keeping one. A licence can last for up to 3 years, you must be reassessed before you can renew it.
If you keep a primate in England without a licence when one is required, you will be committing an offence under section 13 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006. If convicted, you could get a prison sentence of up to 6 months, a fine, or both.
Conditions
You can find the conditions that you will need to meet in schedule 1 of the regulations. All applicants will need to meet the conditions.
Cost
The fee is £739.50 plus any inspection fees.
Apply for a licence
Email the completed form to [email protected].
Report a primate welfare concern
Email [email protected] to report a primate that is being kept illegally or is in distress.
Last updated 30 January 2026