€278 million CAP support available for investments in Bulgarian agriculture

Two of the most awaited instruments for investment support (grants) under CAP are now open for applications in Bulgaria. A total budget of about 278 million euro will be allocated to farmers (eligible applicants) with predominant share being dedicated to so-called vulnerable sectors – horticulture, animal production and organic holdings. The two interventions - Investments in agricultural holdings and Investments in agricultural holdings aimed at protecting environmental components, could be combined by farmers under upper limit of 1,8 million euro eligible investment costs per applicant for the current EU programming period. The calls will be open for application submission until February 20^th and March 6^th, 2026, respectively.

Most of the Bulgarian agricultural producers plan their mid- and long-term investment horizon around the CAP financial support calls, which boost significantly their investment capacity. They also represent a key business opportunity for wide range of Dutch suppliers and their local dealers to expand their market presence and revenues. Netherlands providers of technologies, planting material, machinery, equipment, software, and other investment goods are well-known for their quality, efficiency and sustainability, and are often preferred partners for modernization of Bulgarian agri holdings.

Investments in agricultural holdings

Intervention "Investments in agricultural holdings" from the Strategic Plan for the Development of Agriculture and Rural Areas 2023-2027 aims to support investments in modernization and mechanization in agricultural holdings, construction or renovation of buildings and other real estate used for agricultural production, purchase, including through financial leasing, and/or installation of new machinery, facilities and equipment necessary to improve the agricultural production process, creation and/or replanting of permanent crops. Costs for the purchase of facilities and attached equipment for beekeeping and the relevant equipment will also be eligible for financing.

The applicant farmers or producer groups/organizations will be able to purchase agricultural machinery and specialized agricultural transport vehicles, to rehabilitate existing and build new irrigation facilities and equipment, including wells, boreholes and water storage facilities, as well as to purchase technical equipment for water management at farm level, water saving technologies, installations for improving the quality of incoming and outgoing water, including in livestock farming. Financial assistance is also provided for investments for the production and/or storage of energy from renewable sources.

The selection criteria for the intervention will promote the development of organic farming, participation in quality schemes, investments to exceed animal welfare requirements, activities related to irrigation. In order to stimulate cooperation and integration between agricultural producers, priority will be given to applicants who are recognized groups/organizations of agricultural producers. Priority will be given to young farmers, agricultural operators whose activities and investments will be implemented in areas with natural and other constraints, as well as applicants who demonstrate financial sustainability.

The maximum amount of eligible costs for one applicant for the period of implementation of the intervention and for one project is up to 1 million euro and the financial assistance (grant) is up to 50% of the total amount of eligible costs. Depending on the amount of financial assistance for the individual categories of agricultural holdings, the same may be increased by up to 25% for project proposals submitted by producer groups/organizations and cooperative associations of farmers. The financial assistance may be increased by up to 10% for project proposals that are implemented in sensitive sectors (horticulture, animal production).

The budget for the intervention is EUR 193 513 850 of which EUR 145 135 387 for applications for support, including investments entirely aimed at sensitive sectors. Applications for support will be accepted until February 20, 2026. You can find relevant documentation HERE (BG).

Investments in agricultural holdings aimed at protecting environmental components

Intervention "Investments in agricultural holdings aimed at protecting environmental components" from the Strategic Plan for the Development of Agriculture and Rural Areas 2023-2027 supports investments for the creation of permanent plantations, including nurseries, in an organic way, construction/repair/reconstruction and equipment of livestock facilities for raising animals in an organic way, as well as for breeding and maintaining the gene pool - raising and breeding animals of local (autochthonous) breeds. Applicants will be able to apply for support for investments in the production and/or storage of energy from renewable energy sources for their own consumption, investments aimed at exceeding animal welfare requirements and increasing biosecurity, as well as purchasing machinery, equipment and composting installations. Tangible and intangible investments for the application of precision/smart/digital farming technologies are also eligible for support.

The selection criteria for the intervention will promote the development of organic farming, participation in quality schemes, investments in the production of energy from renewable sources. In order to stimulate cooperation and integration between agricultural producers, priority will be given to applicants from recognized groups/organizations of agricultural producers. Priority will be given to young farmers, farmers whose activities and investments will be carried out in areas with natural and other constraints, as well as applicants who demonstrate financial sustainability.

The maximum amount of eligible costs for one applicant for the period of implementation of the intervention and for one project is up to 1 million euro and financial grant is up to 50% of the total amount of eligible costs. Depending on the amount of financial assistance for individual categories of agricultural holdings, it may be increased by up to 25% for project proposals submitted by groups/organizations of producers and cooperative associations of farmers. The financial assistance may be increased by up to 10% for project proposals implemented in sensitive sectors.

The budget amounts to EUR 84 648 794, of which EUR 63 486 595 for applications for support, including investments entirely aimed at sensitive sectors. Applications for support will be accepted until March 6^th, 2026. You can find relevant documentation HERE (BG).

Interventions summary

In the files attached to this publication you can find summaries of the most important info regarding the two opened calls – requirements for applicants, eligible investments, grant amounts and support intensity, technical details and procedures. Sofia LAN office actively facilitates business contacts between Bulgarian agri producers interested in modernization investments and their potential suppliers of high-quality and sustainable investment goods from the Netherlands.