The Ministry of Rural Development and Food (MRDF) is moving forward with restoring the ability of disability pensioners to register in the Registry of Farmers and Agricultural Holdings (R.F.A.H.), provided they continue to engage in agricultural activity and meet the conditions set out in current legislation. The relevant circular, signed by the Secretary General of Rural Development and Food, Spyros Protopsaltis, provides clear instructions to the competent authorities on the registration process for disability pensioners in the R.F.A.H., either as “professional farmers” or as “newly entering professional farmers.”
Read also: MRDF launches digital consultation platform for the new CAP 2028–2034
What the MRDF circular means for farmers receiving disability pensions
The new directive also applies to disability pensioners with a disability rate of at least 67%, who until now faced restrictions in being recognized as professional farmers. Following the amendment of the relevant legislation, disability pensioners can henceforth register in the Registry, provided they also meet the remaining requirements of Law 3874/2010, as currently in force.
At the same time, the same circular provides detailed clarifications to the competent authorities regarding the issuance of registration certificates in the R.F.A.H., the granting of the status of professional farmer, newly entering professional farmer, and agricultural holding owner, as well as the interoperability of the Registry’s digital service with the Greek social security authority (EFKA).
Secretary General of Rural Development and Food, Spyros Protopsaltis, stated: “With this circular, we are giving clear guidance to the relevant services and correcting an injustice for disability pensioners who continue to carry out genuine agricultural activity.
Our goal is a Registry of Farmers and Agricultural Holdings that is fair, functional, and reliable — one that recognizes real productive activity and does not exclude people who remain active in the primary sector, as long as they meet the legal requirements. At the Ministry of Rural Development and Food, we continue to work toward simpler procedures, better public service, and meaningful support for those who keep the Greek countryside alive.”
