Primate licence

From 6 April 2026, if you wish to privately keep a primate, you will need to obtain a licence.

Legislation

The Animal Welfare (Primate Licences) (England) Regulations 2024 will come into force on 6 April 2026. The legislation brings in a licensing scheme, setting strict rules to ensure that only private keepers who can provide zoo-level welfare standards will be able to keep primates. 

Existing private primate keepers can apply for a primate licence from April 2025 and, from 6 April 2026, all private primate keepers and people proposing to keep a primate will be required to hold a licence, valid for a maximum of three years, and undergo reassessment to renew their permission to keep their animals.

A person who requires a primate licence and keeps a primate in England without one will be committing an offence under section 13 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and may be fined, imprisoned, or both. 

We are expecting Defra to issue further guidance in relation to primate licences and this webpage will be updated following this. Please check back soon for any changes or additional information including an application form and fees and charges.