No, owning a monkey in Italy is prohibited under national wildlife protection laws unless exemptions are granted for scientific or educational purposes by the Ministero della Transizione Ecologica (MITE). The Legge 150/1992 and Regolamento UE 2019/2117 classify non-human primates as protected species, requiring CITES permits for any ownership. Recent 2026 draft amendments to the Codice dell’Ambiente propose stricter penalties, including confiscation and fines up to €100,000 for illegal possession.
Key Regulations for Owning a Monkey in Italy
- CITES Compliance: Any primate ownership demands an import permit from the Corpo Forestale dello Stato, verifying legal acquisition from an EU-approved breeder.
- Regional Bans: Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, and Tuscany enforce additional local ordinances banning private primate ownership, with municipal authorities empowered to conduct inspections.
- Veterinary & Housing Standards: Prospective owners must submit a piano di gestione (management plan) to the ASL (Local Health Unit), detailing enclosure specifications (minimum 20m² per animal) and veterinary oversight.