If you buy land in Romania and you work on it you get money for APIA

The Single Area Payment Scheme (SAPS) in Romania: is a Cornerstone of Agricultural Support

Romania’s agricultural sector plays a crucial role in the country’s economy, boasting one of the most extensive agricultural regions within the European Union. However, the sector faces unique challenges, primarily due to its fragmented structure dominated by small-scale farms with low productivity levels.

The Single Area Payment Scheme (SAPS) has been a vital component of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in Romania, providing essential financial support to farmers. This scheme has been instrumental in stabilizing farm incomes and promoting sustainable agricultural practices across the country.

The SAPS is paid by APIA in Romania.

Key aspects of SAPS in Romania:

  1. Income Support: SAPS functions as a safety net, guaranteeing a minimum level of agricultural income for active farmers.
  2. Decoupled Payments: The scheme provides payments decoupled from production, allowing farmers the freedom to produce according to market demand.
  3. Environmental Considerations: SAPS payments are increasingly tied to environmental and animal welfare standards, promoting sustainable farming practices.
  4. Fairness and Efficiency: The scheme aims to improve the fairness and effectiveness of direct payments to farmers.
  5. Rural Development: By supporting farmers, SAPS indirectly contributes to the vitality of rural communities in Romania.

Some amounts paid by APIA for those that bought agricultural land in Romania

Year after year, the Romanian state, through APIA (Agency for Payments and Intervention for Agriculture), grants support measures and aid to Romanian farmers, depending on the culture, area, type of agriculture, as follows:

a) sub-package 3.1 – Crex crex- variant 3.1.1 / variant 3.1.2 – manual works / with machines

light on meadows important for Crex crex – €310/ha/year / €231/ha/year

b) sub-package 3.2 – Lanius minor and Falco vespertinus, variant 3.2.1 / variant 3.2.2 – manual works / with light machinery on important meadows for Lanius minor and Falco vespertinus – €159/ha/year / €80/ha /year

● Package 4 – green crops – €128/ha/year

● Package 5 – adaptation to the effects of climate change – €125/ha/year

● Package 6 – grasslands important for butterflies (Maculinea sp.) variant 6.1 / variant 6.2 – manual works / with light machinery on grasslands important for butterflies (Maculinea sp.) – €410/ha/year / €331/ha/year

● Package 7 – arable land important as feeding areas for the red-necked goose (Branta ruficollis) – €250/ha/year

● Package 8 – breeding of farm animals of local breeds at risk of abandonment.

Sheep – €87/UVM/year

Goats – €40/UVM/year

Cattle – bulls and bulls – €200/UVM/year

Horses – €200/UVM/year

Pigs – €176/UVM/year.

● Package 9 – agricultural land important as feeding areas for the lesser screaming eagle (Aquila pomarina)

a) sub-package 9.1 – arable land important as feeding areas for the lesser screaming eagle – €200/ha/year

b) sub-package 9.2 – permanent meadows important as feeding areas for the lesser screech eagle:

variant 9.2.1 / variant 9.2.2 – manual works / with light machinery on grasslands important for the lesser screech eagle – €269/ha/year / €190/ha/year

● Package 10 – ecological refuges on arable land for common bird species associated with agricultural land – €92/ha/year

● Package 11 – important agricultural lands for grouper (Otis tarda)

a) sub-package 11.1 – important arable land for bustard option 11.1.1 – conversion of arable land into meadows – 255 €/ha/year – option 11.1.2 – protection area for bustard on arable land – 100 €/ha/year

b) sub-package 11.2 – meadows important for grouper variant 11.2.1 / variant 11.2.2 / variant 11.2.3 – manual works / with light machinery / with heavy machinery on meadows important for grouper – €269/ha/year / 190 €/ha/year / €169/ha/year

9 Measure 11 (M.11) – Organic agriculture (M.11) – PNDR 2014-2020:

a. Submeasure 11.1 – Support for conversion to organic farming methods

● Package 1 – agricultural crops on arable land (including fodder plants) – €293/ha/year

● Package 2 – vegetables – €500/ha/year

● Package 3 – orchards – €620/ha/year

● Package 4 – vineyards – €530/ha/year

● Package 5 – medicinal and aromatic plants – €365/ha/year

● Pack 6 – permanent meadows

variant 6.1 (applicable at national level on areas without commitment M.10) – €143/ha/year

Here’s a more informal take on that: variant 6.2 (available in certain zones and only if you’re also on board with an M.10 commitment) – €39 per hectare each year.

b. Submeasure 11.2 – Support for maintaining organic farming practices

● Package 1 – agricultural crops on arable land (including fodder plants) – 218 €/ha/year

● Package 2 – vegetables – €431/ha/year

● Package 3 – orchards – €442/ha/year

● Package 4 – vineyards – €479/ha/year

● Package 5 – medicinal and aromatic plants – €350/ha/year

● Package 6 – permanent meadows:

option 6.1 (works for places without a M.10 commitment) – €129 per hectare a year; option 6.2 (only for eligible spots and has to be linked with a M.10 commitment) – €73 per hectare a year.

To receive support, farmers must complete the payment application and submit it to the local/county centers.

Buying farm land in Romania in the Braila province

  1. Braila province offers attractive opportunities for agricultural land investment due to its fertile soil and favorable climate.
  2. As of 2024, Romania’s agricultural land acquisition process is governed by complex regulations, including a system of pre-emption rights.
  3. Foreign investors can purchase land, but must navigate strict legal requirements and obtain necessary permits.
  4. The pre-emption system gives priority to certain categories of buyers, including the seller’s relatives and co-owners.
  5. Prospective buyers must comply with residency requirements, typically living in Romania for at least 5 years and engaging in agricultural activities.
  6. Public notification of land sales is mandatory, with a 90-day period for preferred buyers to express interest.
  7. Financing options, such as pre-tabulation credits, are available to help investors capitalize on land acquisition opportunities.
  8. Regional factors like soil quality, climate, and proximity to transportation hubs significantly influence land values in Braila.
  9. Sustainable farming practices and environmental stewardship are increasingly important considerations for land acquisitions.
  10. Collaborating with local partners and staying informed about changing regulations is crucial for successful agricultural land investments in Braila.

Why to invest in Romania

Farm and agricultural land for sale in Braila, Romania find out more about the pre-emption system

Subvention for young farmers in Romania more money for farmers via EU/Romania subvention measures