Primate licence

Primate licensing

The Animal Welfare (Primate Licences) (England) Regulations 2024 will come into force on 6 April 2026. From this date, it will be an offence to keep a primate in England without a valid licence — unless the primate is kept under a zoo licence or a licence issued under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.

These regulations aim to ensure that primates kept in private settings receive care that meets their complex physical and psychological needs.

What is a primate?

Any animal of any species, other than Homo sapiens, which belongs to the order Primates.

What types of primates need to be licensed?

Any primate kept by a private individual must be licensed by 6 April 2026. These include:

  • marmosets
  • tamarins
  • squirrel monkeys
  • spider monkeys
  • capuchin monkeys
  • lemurs
  • lorisids (also known as bush babies)

Some primates may also need a Dangerous Wild Animal (DWA) licence. To check if your primate is classed as a DWA, visit the DEFRA Schedule of Dangerous Wild Animals (Gov.uk).

What does ‘keep’ mean?

You are considered to be keeping a primate if it is in your possession, unless it is:

  • being prevented from causing damage
  • being returned to its owner
  • receiving veterinary treatment or examination
  • being transported on behalf of someone else

Do I need a licence?

You will need a licence if:

  • you currently keep a primate
  • you plan to keep a primate after 6 April 2026
  • you are not covered by a zoo or scientific procedures licence

Licences are issued to individuals only — not to businesses or organisations.

How to apply

Details about how to apply for a primate licence, including fees, will be added here once DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) publishes the final statutory guidance.

What happens if I don’t comply?

From 6 April 2026, it will be a criminal offence to keep a primate without a licence.
You could face:

  • a fine
  • up to six months in prison
  • or both

Rehoming a primate

If you currently keep a primate and do not wish to apply for a licence, please contact us for advice on rehoming options.

Contact Us

If you currently keep a primate or intend to keep primates, please contact the Licensing team who will be able to assist with the process:

Ealing Council - Licensing Team
Email: licensing@ealing.gov.uk
Phone: 020 8825 6655