Primate licence
From 6 April 2026, you will need a licence if you keep one or more primates, these include:
- Marmosets
- Tamarins
- Squirrel Monkeys
- Spider Monkeys
- Capuchin Monkeys
- Lemurs
- Lorisids
The regulations can be read here on the Legislation website.
The only exemptions from the requirement to hold a licence under these regulations, will be licensed zoos and medical or research facilities authorised under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.
The regulations bring in a licensing scheme, setting strict rules to ensure that only those who can provide zoo-level welfare standards will be able to keep primates.
Private primate keepers can apply for a primate licence now, 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. They will also be expected to 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, and an unlimited fine, or both.
How to apply for a Primate licence
You will need to complete the application form below and send it to: licensing@swindon.gov.uk.
You will need to make a payment fee of £250 which we will arrange to take once we have received the application.
After you have applied for the licence, an inspection will be arranged by a suitably qualified and experienced person, so they can inspect the premise and check whether the licence conditions are likely to be met should the application be granted.
The vet inspection fee, in addition to the application fee, will need to be paid before the licence can be granted. A deposit may be requested.
After the inspection, provided we are satisfied that the licence conditions are likely to be met, the application will be granted. If we are not satisfied, the application will be refused.
Licences will normally be granted for a period of three years before expiry.
Guidance documents
The Secretary of State has published statutory guidance on primate keeper licences.
Links to the three parts of the guidance are available below: