Find out about the new regulations for keeping primates.
From 6 April 2026, there will be new regulations for keeping primates. This means that you will need a licence if you keep one or more primates at home. Animals that are primates include:
Read the full regulations on Animal Welfare (Primate Licenses).
The only organisations that do not need a licence under these regulations are:
The regulations introduce a licensing scheme which sets strict rules. The rules make sure that only people who can meet zoo‑level welfare standards can keep primates.
Existing private primate keepers can apply for a primate licence from April 2025. From 6 April 2026, if you keep a primate in your home or are planning to keep a primate, you will need to:
After 6 April 2026, if you need a primate licence but keep a primate in England without one, you will be committing an offence under section 13 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
You will be liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term of up to six months, an unlimited fine or both.
Any veterinary or qualified inspector’s fees will be invoiced to you after the inspection. These fees depend on the time taken by the vet. They are not included in the application fees below.
| Application fee | Fee payable when making application (Part A) | Fee payable when application successful and before licence is issued (Part B) |
|---|---|---|
| Primate keeper licence | £493 | £182 |
To submit a licence application, please download and complete the application form below and email it to licensing@torbay.gov.uk.
Please make sure you have read all the information on this page before submitting your application.
After you apply for a licence, a vet or other suitably qualified and experienced person will carry out an inspection. They will check whether the licence conditions are likely to be met if the application were to be granted.
After the inspection, if we are satisfied that the licence conditions are likely to be met, we will approve your application. If we are not satisfied, then the application must be refused.
Licences are normally granted for a period of 3 years and will then expire.
You will legally need to hold a licence to keep primates from 6 April 2026, but we encourage all primate keepers to make their applications as early as possible. This makes sure there is plenty of time for inspections and making decisions.
Any licences issued before 6 April 2026 will only take effect from 6 April 2026.
The Secretary of State has published statutory guidance on primate keeper licences. We follow this guidance when carrying out our licensing functions under the regulations.
Read the three parts of the guidance:
The conditions you need to meet are in Schedule 1 of the regulations. All applicants need to meet the conditions.
If the primate is a species listed under the schedule of the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 (DWA), you will need a separate DWA licence. Check if which primates are listed as dangerous wild animals. If you keep a primate listed as a dangerous wild animal you also need to meet the conditions for the DWA licence.
Primate licences where the primate is not listed as a dangerous wild animal last for a maximum of 3 years. You can request a shorter period if necessary.
You must apply to renew your licence 10 weeks before your current one ends.
You need to keep the following paperwork as part of the licence. To make sure we deal with your application as quickly as possible, you should submit the paperwork as part of your application.
Your policies and procedures should provide a snapshot of your business. They should explain how you meet all the licence conditions.
If the primate is permanently transferred to other premises, you should also submit:
A written emergency plan, covering:
A written procedure for special circumstances, including contingencies, in case:
If the primate is also a listed dangerous wild animal, you must also provide the following documents: