Primate licence

From 6 April 2025, new regulations came into force for keeping primates. This means that if you wish to keep a primate at your home, you will need to obtain a licence.

The regulations are detailed in The Animal Welfare (Primate Licences) (England) Regulations 2024.

The legislation introduces a licensing scheme, establishing strict rules to ensure that only private keepers who can provide zoo-level welfare standards will be permitted to keep primates. 

Existing private primate keepers should apply for a primate licence by contacting licensing@arun.gov.uk. 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.

After 6 April 2026, 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 will be liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term of up to six months, an unlimited fine or both.

How to apply

Details for how to apply will be available soon. You can contact licensing@arun.gov.uk for information.

To apply for a licence, you will need to submit an application form and pay the relevant fee. 

Following an application, an inspection by a vet and an animal welfare officer will be required. They will check whether the licence conditions are likely to be met if the application is granted.

Licences will normally be granted for a period of 3 years

Guidance

We expect DEFRA to issue further guidance in relation to primate licences soon.