Introduction
From 6 April 2026, anyone who keeps one or more primates must have a licence from their local council. This includes people who keep primates as pets.
These new rules make sure that all primates are kept safely and get the same good care they would get in a zoo. The new rules are called the Animal Welfare (Primate Licences) (England) Regulations 2024.
The rules cover a range of species, including:
- Marmosets
- Tamarins
- Squirrel monkeys
- Spider monkeys
- Capuchin monkeys
- Lemurs
- Lorisids (bush babies)
Licensed zoos and medical and research facilities authorised under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 will not need to have a primate licence.
Licences can only be issued to an individual – not a company or organisation. A person must be at least 18 years old to be granted a licence.
To get and hold a licence, keepers must meet certain rules and standards. You can read the rules on the GOV.UK website in Schedule 1 of the Regulations on legislation.gov.uk.
A person can apply for a licence which lasts for up to 3 years. Licences can be renewed.
From 6 April 2026, it will be against the law to keep a primate without a licence. If someone is found guilty, they could get an unlimited fine, go to prison for up to 6 months, and have their primate taken away.
Licence fees
Local councils can charge fees to cover the cost of checking applications, specialist vet inspections and for enforcement action with people who do not have a licence.
Our fees do not include all specialist veterinary inspector costs and expenses, which we invoice applicants for separately from our fees.
The fee to apply for the grant of a licence is currently £240. If the application is granted, a licence fee must then be paid, the amount being dependant on how long a licence is required:
- 1 year licence: £636
- 2 year licence: £1104
- 3 year licence: £1572
The fee to apply to renew an existing licence is £209.
The fees listed above are subject to Council approval and may change.
Apply for a licence
Applicants will need to provide information on:
- the length of licence required.
- where the primates will be kept.
- details of each individual primate, including their species, sex and date of birth.
- the veterinarian with whom the primates are registered.
- whether breeding will take place.
Applicants will also need to upload written procedures covering:
- when temporary isolation is necessary; when a primate dies or escapes; and the arrangements made for the care of primates, in the event of the death of the licence holder or revocation of the licence.
- daily monitoring, monthly weighing, controls against the spread of diseases and providing treatment and care to primates showing signs of pain, suffering, or abnormal behaviour.
- a hygiene protocol, demonstrating appropriate cleaning and disinfection of the enclosure.
- transporting the primate.
You must pay the fee at the time you apply, as part of your application.
When you apply, we will arrange to carry out an inspection with a suitably qualified vet to check that you can comply with the licence conditions.
After we get the vet’s report, we will decide if your application is approved or refused within 14 days.
The Council must also visit at least once during the licence period to make sure you are following the rules.
Renewing an existing licence is similar to applying for a first licence. Licence holders should apply at least 12 weeks before the expiry of their current licence, to ensure there is enough time for a specialist vet inspection to be arranged and considered.
Reporting concerns about kept primates
If you know or suspect that someone is keeping primates without a licence, you can report it to us to by using our contact us page.
To read information on how the Council approaches enforcement and non-compliance in relation to licensing and other regulatory functions, please read our page about our Enforcement Policy.
Statutory guidance
The Council must take account of the official guidance issued by the Secretary of State. You can read the guidance on the GOV.UK website: