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Apply for a hardship allowance for permanent pasture
If you manage grassland and are facing disadvantages due to nature conservation regulations, you can apply for compensation for additional burdens.
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Basic information
Compensation for Hardship is granted for grassland if agricultural land use is significantly impeded due to nature conservation requirements. Grassland is defined as an area permanently covered with grasses and herbs that is used for maintenance purposes at least once a year through mowing or grazing.
The hardship compensation is granted for one calendar year at a time. The amount is calculated according to the point value table. If use is impeded to the same extent due to another legal or contractual obligation, no hardship compensation is granted.
Requirements
The hardship compensation applies
- to areas of 0.5 hectares or more per person managing the land,
- and for areas of legally protected biotopes of 0.25 hectares or more per person managing the land.
It does not apply to areas for which compensation is to be granted pursuant to § 68, paragraphs 1 through 3, of the Federal Nature Conservation Act (BNatschG).
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Procedure
- Applications are submitted electronically using the "ANDI" program.
- You can find the link under Online Services.
- If you have any questions about the application process, please contact the Lower Saxony Chamber of Agriculture.
- Applications are submitted electronically using the "ANDI" program.
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Necessary Documents
- Documents may be requested as part of the ANDI application process.
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Online Services
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Fees / Costs
Not specified.
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Deadlines & processing time
What deadlines must be paid attention to?
3 months The application for hardship compensation must be received by the Lower Saxony Chamber of Agriculture within 3 months of the effective date or announcement of the measures causing the hardship.
For subsequent years, the application must be received by May 15 of the calendar year for which the hardship compensation is being requested.How long does it take to process
The processing time depends on the workload at the Lower Saxony Chamber of Agriculture’s licensing office.
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Legal Bases
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More Information
This page has been automatically translated by DeepL. We cannot guarantee that the translation is correct.
The official information in German is complete and correct.
Updated on 25.08.2026