Ministry of Agriculture extends the deadline for submitting direct payments applications

Farmers have time until June 16, 2025, to prepare and submit applications for direct and area payments under the Strategic Plan for the Common Agricultural Policy for the years 2023–2027. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the extension aims to help those affected by weather anomalies.

The ministry sets new deadlines

Initially, the deadline for applying for direct payments was set for May 15, 2025. Two days before the deadline, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MRiRW) decided to extend this year’s application period by one month, until June 16, 2025.

According to the Regulation of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of May 13, 2025, farmers may submit applications until July 11, but any delay will result in a reduction of the payment amount. A delay of each working day after June 16 will result in a 1% deduction from the due amount. It is worth hurrying!

The deadline for making changes to submitted applications has also been extended—farmers will be able to submit corrections until July 1.

The weather is unkind, the minister helps

In the justification for the Regulation, the ministry cites the introduction of significant changes from 2025 that may make it difficult for farmers to make decisions and prepare applications for direct payments. Specifically mentioned are:

• The social conditionality mechanism;
• A new eco-scheme for Elite Category Seed Material and Certified Category Seed Material;
• The GAEC 2 standard concerning requirements in peatland and wetland areas;
• Changes in eco-schemes for Integrated Plant Production, Organic Farming, and Land Withdrawn from Production.

Additionally, the Ministry points out that the need to extend deadlines stems from issues raised during meetings with farmers and agricultural organizations. Weather anomalies in the first months of the year, such as heavy rainfall and sudden temperature drops, caused significant damage to crops and require additional time, labour, and resources. Ministry representatives express hope that the new deadline will make it easier for applicants to make decisions regarding sowing and the choice of interventions.

How to apply for direct payments?

The new deadline applies to financial assistance referred to in Article 20 points 1–4 of the Act of February 8, 2023, on the Strategic Plan for the Common Agricultural Policy for the years 2023–2027, which includes direct payments, transitional national support, and area-based measures under Pillar II of the CAP.

Applications should be submitted via the eWniosekPlus application, available through the Electronic Services Platform (PUE). For farmers without access to computers, technical support is offered by the employees of the Agency for Restructuring and Modernization of Agriculture (ARiMR).

The ARiMR reports that more than 747,000 applications for direct and area payments have been submitted so far.