No, owning a monkey in Hungary is prohibited under the 2012 Animal Protection Act (Act XXVIII of 2012) and the 2023 amendment aligning with EU biodiversity directives. The National Food Chain Safety Office (NÉBIH) enforces these restrictions, classifying non-human primates as protected species requiring special permits. Recent 2026 compliance updates further tightened import controls, effectively banning private ownership.
Key Regulations for Owning a Monkey in Hungary
- Permit Denial: NÉBIH explicitly denies permits for private primate ownership under Decree 41/2019 (XII.18.), citing welfare and zoonotic risks.
- Wildlife Protection: The 2023 amendment to the Nature Conservation Act (Act LIII of 1996) classifies monkeys as “strictly protected,” prohibiting trade or domestication.
- EU Alignment: Hungary’s 2026 enforcement of EU Regulation 2016/429 (Animal Health Law) reinforces import bans, with penalties up to 15 million HUF for violations.
Violations trigger administrative fines or criminal charges under the Criminal Code (Act C of 2012), Section 321, for animal cruelty. Exemptions exist solely for scientific institutions licensed by the Ministry of Agriculture.