From 6 April 2026, it will be illegal to keep a primate as a pet, breed them, or sell them, without a valid licence, under new legislation introduced by the Government.
The Animal Welfare (Primate Licences) (England) Regulations 2024 sets out new welfare and licensing standards for keeping primates in private homes. The change aims to improve the lives of these intelligent primates with complex emotional, social and cognitive needs that are difficult to meet in most domestic environments.
From April 2025, existing primate owners can apply for a licence. Licences will only be granted to individuals who can meet strict zoo-level welfare standards. The changes mean that, in practice, primates will no longer be kept as traditional household pets, and those unable to meet the criteria may be required to rehome their animals before April 2026.
By April 2026, anyone keeping or intending to keep a primate must hold a valid licence to comply with the law, and licences will be issued for a maximum of three years. Renewal will require further assessment to ensure standards are maintained.
The types of animals covered by the legislation include, but are not limited to:
- Tamarins
- Squirrel monkeys
- Spider monkeys
- Capuchin monkeys
- Lemurs
- Lorisids (“bush babies”)
- Marmosets
Rebecca Moore, Zoological Director of Colchester Zoological Society, said: “With an estimated 5,000 primates currently kept in domestic settings as pets in the UK, the welfare of these species under human care is of upmost importance.
“Zoos have been licenced in the UK since the early 1980s with the provision of high-quality animal care to meet the physical, psychological and social needs of the species considered a key objective. To date there hasn’t been a similar requirement for primates in a domestic setting, so this new instrument is being laid to introduce high welfare standards for kept primates and will prohibit the keeping and breeding of primates without a relevant licence.”
Cllr Jocelyn Law, Portfolio Holder for Communities and Public Protection, said: “Primates have more complex welfare needs than most domestic homes can provide, so we welcome these new measures as a positive step toward better care for these intelligent animals. It’s important that they aren’t kept in unsuitable conditions, and I hope that anyone keeping a primate understands what’s needed to look after them properly. We encourage all current or future primate keepers in Colchester to start getting ready for the new rules.”
If you currently have a primate living in your home and you’d like to make an application to keep a primate legally from April 2026, follow this link. Applicants are encouraged to do so in a timely manner ahead of the deadline.
Page last reviewed: 23 June 2025