Schemes don't last forever, but we will help you make decisions that ensure your land has long-term natural, environmental, and financial benefits for your land and your family beyond the grant payments.
Tax-Free forestry grants and premiums
Forestry grants enable many landowners to plant, manage, or restore woodland. For some, the hardest part is knowing which option is right for their land and what happens next.
Green Belt is here to help. Our foresters will review your site, clearly explain your options, and guide you through the application and setup process. Whether you want to create a new forest, start native woodland, try agroforestry, improve existing woodland, or replant after storm or disease damage, we will help you find out what support is available and what to do next.
You do not need to know which scheme is right before you talk to us. Just tell us about your land or forest, and we will help you find the best option.
Rates
Grant rates and annual premiums
| Code | Forest Type | Grant Rates (excluding fencing) €/ha | Annual Premium Payments €/ha | Years (Non-Farmers) | Years (Farmers) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FT1 | Native Forests | €6,744 | €1,103 | 15 | 20 |
| FT2 | Forests for Water | €6,744 | €1,142 | 15 | 20 |
| FT3 | Forests on Public Lands | €10,544 | €1,103 | 15 | n/a |
| FT4 | NeighbourWoods | €10,200 | €1,142 | 15 | 20 |
| FT5 | Emergent Forests | €2,500 | €350 | 15 | 20 |
| FT6 | Pure Broadleaves, mainly oak or beech | €6,744 | €1,037 | 15 | 20 |
| FT7 | Other Broadleaves | €4,314 | €973 | 15 | 20 |
| FT8 | Agroforestry – silvopastoral | €8,555 | €1,170 | 10 | 10 |
| FT9 | Seed Orchards | €10,000 | €1,142 | 15 | 20 |
| FT10 | Continuous Cover Forestry | €5,421 | €912 | 15 | 20 |
| FT11 | Mixed High Forests: conifer, 20% broadleaves | €4,452 | €863 | 15 | 20 |
| FT12 | Mixed High Forests: spruce, 20% broadleaves | €3,858 | €746 | 15 | 20 |
| FT13 | Agroforestry Silvoarable pilot | €6,000 | €829 | 10 | 10 |
| FT14 | Agroforestry Forest Gardening pilot | €6,000 | €829 | 10 | 10 |
| NTA1 | Small native forests | €6,744 | €2,206 | n/a | 10 |
| NTA2 | Small native forests for water protection | €6,744 | €2,284 | n/a | 10 |
CALCULATION
How much can your land make with forestry premiums in ireland?
Grant rates exclude fencing. Premiums are paid each year for up to 20 years for farmers and 15 years for non-farmers, depending on the forest type. Figures are a guide only; your forester will confirm what applies to your land.
Not sure which scheme suits your land?
Just tell us about your land or forest, and we will help you find the best option.
Testimonial
I have had Green Belt manage my forestry portfolio for up to 20 years, and throughout that time I have found their service, knowledge and professionalism to be exceptional.
Over the years, I have entrusted Green Belt with a wide range of forestry matters, including sourcing land, advising on property sales, completing grant applications, managing paperwork, and establishing and managing forests. Their expertise has given me great confidence in making decisions and managing my forestry investments.
I have also been very impressed by the strong growth and high survival rates of the young plantations following initial planting. This reflects the care, knowledge and attention to detail that Green Belt brings to every project.
Another significant benefit has been the peace of mind that comes from knowing that the forester has excellent local knowledge and a strong understanding of different land types. This experience has been invaluable in ensuring that the right decisions are made at every stage.
After many years of working with Green Belt, I would have no hesitation in highly recommending them to anyone considering planting forestry or investing in forestry. Their expertise, reliability and personal service make them an excellent choice.
Schemes
Which scheme fits your land?
Support for replanting
Storm damage, ash dieback and other forest damage can leave owners facing difficult decisions. Green Belt helps forest owners access the relevant DAFM reconstitution supports, including windblow and ash dieback schemes, and manage the work needed to restore the forest.
We can assess the site, map the affected area, prepare the application and oversee replanting. With more than 10,000 hectares replanted over the last five years, Green Belt has the experience to help restore damaged forests to productive management.
Native Woodland Establishment
Native Woodland Establishment lets landowners plant native forests that benefit their land, the environment, and future generations.
This scheme helps you set up new native forests with species that fit your land, boosting biodiversity, protecting soil, and improving the landscape. You keep ownership of your land and trees, while Green Belt guides you through the application, planting, and setup.
You can get premiums of up to €1,103 per hectare with payments lasting up to 20 years for farmers and 15 years for non-farmers.
Native Tree Area Scheme
The Native Tree Area Scheme is an easy way to plant a small native woodland while earning annual high premium payments.
The scheme supports NTA 1 small native forests and NTA 2 native forests for water protection. It can allow you to plant up to 2 hectares of native woodland without the full afforestation licence process, making it a strong option for landowners who want to improve biodiversity on a smaller area of land.
Premiums are available up to €2,284 per hectare for 10 years.
Agroforestry
Agroforestry lets farmers grow trees while keeping the land in agricultural use.
The scheme allows the planting of trees on farmed land, allowing grazing, silage or hay production to continue alongside forestry. Trees provide shelter, improve animal welfare, support biodiversity and create a future timber asset without removing the land from farming.
Annual premiums are available up to €1,170 per hectare for 10 years.
Woodland Improvement Scheme
The Woodland Improvement Scheme helps forest owners make their woodlands healthier and more valuable for the future.
The scheme supports management tasks like thinning, caring for broadleaves, coppicing, managing seed stands, and looking after agroforestry sites. These activities help woodlands grow stronger, improve their structure, and become more valuable over time.
You can get a grant of up to €1,200 per hectare for eligible woodland improvement work.
Neighbourwood Scheme
The Neighbourwood Scheme helps you and your local community create and improve woodlands to use and enjoy.
The scheme supports public amenity woodland, including work to improve existing forests and add facilities such as paths, seating, signage and parking. Access must be free of charge, making it a strong option for landowners, public bodies or organisations that want to create a lasting resource for the community.
Support is available up to €6,000 per hectare for woodland enhancement and up to €4,200 per hectare for facilities, subject to scheme limits.
COMMERCIAL FORESTRY (Continuous cover)
Continuous Cover Forestry integrates timber production with conservation to create productive forests that retain continuous tree cover.
The scheme encourages planting a diverse mix of tree species suited to your land, increasing resilience to climate change and storm damage. These forests improve your land's biodiversity and promote the recreational and cultural value of woodlands for your generation and the next. Green Belt provides guidance throughout the application, planting, and ongoing management process.
Annual premiums of €912 per hectare are available for 20 years for farmers and 15 years for non-farmers.
COMMERCIAL FORESTRY
Commercial forestry schemes enable landowners to produce timber and receive annual premiums as their forests mature.
The schemes encourage planting productive conifers, such as Sitka spruce, Norway spruce, and Douglas fir, mixed with at least 20% broadleaves. Species are chosen to suit your land, maximising timber output while improving biodiversity. Green Belt supports you throughout the application, species selection, planting, and management processes.
Annual premiums range from €746 to €863 per hectare, depending on forest type, for 20 years for farmers and 15 years for non-farmers.
Not sure which scheme suits your land?
Just tell us about your land or forest, and we will help you find the best option.