Afforestation; application for a permit or an extension of the deadline

The conversion of land previously not used for forestry into areas planted with forest trees constitutes afforestation. This requires a permit.

The afforestation (change in terminology since the new version of Art. 16 of the Bavarian Forest Act on January 1, 2025; previously: initial afforestation) of land not previously used for forestry with forest trees by sowing or planting is subject to permission in accordance with Art. 16 Para. 1 of the Bavarian Forest Act (BayWaldG). The lower forestry authority, the Office for Food, Agriculture and Forestry (AELF), decides on the permit in agreement with the district administrative authority.

The afforestation permit may only be refused or restricted by conditions if, for example

• landscape plans of the municipalities conflict with this
• essential interests of regional culture or nature conservation and landscape management are jeopardized
• the recreational value of the landscape is impaired
• significant disadvantages for surrounding properties are to be expected or
• an environmental impact assessment is required and has not yet been carried out.

The forestry authority may prohibit planned or already implemented afforestation that conflicts with one of the above reasons for refusal or order the removal of the afforestation. Unauthorized afforestation is considered an administrative offence that can be punished with a fine.

You would like to reforest a plot of land that is not used for forestry.

Applications must be submitted in text form by the owner of the afforested area to the responsible Office for Food, Agriculture and Forestry.

The foresters of the Bavarian Forestry Administration will be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding the application process (see forester finder under "Further links").

The permit is valid for five years. The permit expires if work on the project has not begun within five years of it being granted or if it has been interrupted for five years.

The five-year period can be extended by up to three years in each case if the application is received by the lower forestry authority (AELF) in text form before the permit expires.

Advice and funding

Reforestation with stable, climate-tolerant mixed stands is financially supported by the Free State of Bavaria. The foresters of the Bavarian Forestry Administration will be happy to advise you on issues relating to afforestation, such as legal issues, applications, tree species selection and funding opportunities (see forester finder under "Further links").