Life in the Countryside
Low-interest loan from the Landwirtschaftliche Rentenbank for investments in rural infrastructure, tourism, housing/living, and income diversification of up to EUR 10 million per year. Applications can be submitted continuously through the applicant's local bank.
Discover your potential with AI support
- Find out if this grant matches your project
- Develop your application together with AI
- Get matched with many more suitable grants
Grant criteria
Funding objective
Funding of investments to improve housing and living conditions as well as infrastructure in rural areas of Germany, including tourism, rural living and working, and income diversification for farmers and rural stakeholders.
Eligible expenses
- Investments in technical and social infrastructure
- Construction and modernization costs
- Leasing financing for machinery and equipment
- Investments in rural tourism
- Measures for income diversification
Non-eligible expenses
- Investments in primary production of agricultural products
- Medical primary care
- Nursing facilities
- Debt restructuring and ongoing costs
- Franchise and chain restaurant projects
Eligible to apply
- Interest Groups and Other Associations
- Non-profit Organizations
- Individuals
- Public Institutions
- Companies
Funding requirements
- Investment location in rural areas (municipalities up to 50,000 inhabitants outside of densely populated areas) or immediately adjacent areas
- Compliance with the EU SME definition or eligible to apply under aid-free conditions
- Leasing financing only through credit institutions
- Natural and legal persons with their own project
Documents required for application
- Program conditions (No. 249/250)
- Program conditions Leasing (No. 259)
- RGZS Information Sheet
- Aid Information Sheet
- De minimis Aid Declaration
- Cumulative Aid Declaration
Description
The low-interest loan from the Landwirtschaftliche Rentenbank enables investments in technical and social infrastructure as well as in tourism, housing construction, and income diversification in rural areas of Germany. Funding is provided to SMEs, municipalities, water and soil associations, clubs, non-profit organizations, and private individuals with projects in communities of up to 50,000 inhabitants outside metropolitan areas or adjacent rural regions. Up to 100% of eligible expenses – ranging from construction and modernization costs to leasing financing for machinery and equipment, as well as measures in sustainable tourism or alternative livelihoods – can be obtained as loans with maximum amounts of up to EUR 10 million per year. Applications are submitted continuously through house banks; a de minimis aid declaration and a cumulation declaration are part of the application process.
The objective is to improve living, working, and residential conditions in rural areas and to strengthen the local economy. The loans support projects for the establishment and renewal of energy and communication networks, educational institutions, local supply structures, accommodation businesses with up to 25 guest beds, and the repurposing of agricultural building stock. Investments in primary agricultural production, medical local care, and nursing facilities are excluded. The program also grants refinancing for leasing financing of technical equipment exclusively through credit institutions. The combination of long-term maturities of up to 50 years and attractive fixed interest rates makes the funding particularly appealing for citizen initiatives, non-profit organizations, municipalities, and entrepreneurs – a building block for sustainable development, value creation, and quality of life in rural areas.
Ready to secure your funding?
Register now and let our AI guide you through the application process – from eligibility check to finished application.