New AFP Rules Boost Climate and Animal Welfare Funding for Farms by 2026
The Agricultural Investment Promotion Program (AFP) has announced key updates to its funding rules. These changes aim to support farms investing in long-term assets while shifting focus toward environmental, climate, and animal welfare improvements. The adjustments will take effect from September 1, 2026, with revised subsidy rates and expanded eligibility criteria.
Under the new AFP guidelines, investments in environmental and climate protection will now receive a 40% subsidy—an increase from previous rates. Measures designed to mitigate weather risks, such as drought or flood protection, will see their subsidy rate rise from 20% to 30%.
The programme will also reactivate funding for particularly animal-friendly pigsties, which had been paused. Updated structural requirements for pig housing have been included in the federal framework plan, ensuring higher welfare standards. However, basic-level projects will no longer qualify for support, except for certain dairy farming modernisation efforts.
Eligibility has been broadened to include specialty crops like vineyards, orchards, and hop farms. This expansion allows more farmers to access funding for machinery and infrastructure tailored to these sectors. Additionally, the feed-space-to-animal ratio in dairy barns with milking robots and continuous feed systems can now increase to 1.5:1, reflecting advancements in automated farming technology.
Prosperity limits for applicants will also change in 2026, rising to €170,000 for single farmers and €200,000 for married couples. The AFP continues to fund labour-efficiency upgrades, such as automated milking systems, provided they meet specific conditions.
The updated AFP rules prioritise sustainable farming practices while expanding support for modern agricultural technologies. Farms investing in climate resilience, animal welfare, and specialty crops will benefit from higher subsidies and broader eligibility. The changes take effect on September 1, 2026, with revised prosperity thresholds for applicants.
