The production of a Z boson in association with a J/ψ meson in proton–proton collisions probes the production mechanisms of quarkonium and heavy flavour in association with vector bosons, and allows studies of multiple parton scattering. Using 20.3fb −1 of data collected with the ATLAS experiment at the LHC in pp collisions at s √ =8TeV , the first measurement of associated Z+J/ψ production is presented for both prompt and non-prompt J/ψ production, with both signatures having a significance in excess of 5σ . The inclusive production cross-sections for Z boson production (analysed in μ + μ − or e + e − decay modes) in association with prompt and non-prompt J/ψ(→μ + μ − ) are measured relative to the inclusive production rate of Z bosons in the same fiducial volume to be (36.8±6.7±2.5)×10 −7 and (65.8±9.2±4.2)×10 −7 respectively. Normalised differential production cross-section ratios are also determined as a function of the Jψ transverse momentum. The fraction of signal events arising from single and double parton scattering is estimated, and a lower limit of 5.3 (3.7)mb at 68 (95)% confidence level is placed on the effective cross-section regulating double parton interactions.