CULTIVA Program 2026: New Requirements for Young Farmers

Key data

Young farmers who want to access subsidized training stays in model farms, and agricultural organizations that manage the CULTIVA Program, face a regulatory change that modifies the rules of the game. The Royal Decree 393/2026, of May 13, updates the regulatory bases originally established by Royal Decree 425/2021, of June 15, and does so with entry into force on May 14, 2026, even before its official publication in the BOE on the 19th.

The CULTIVA program has a clear objective: to enable young farmers to gain practical experience in reference agricultural farms. Subsidies cover these training stays. Now, the conditions for accessing them and managing them are changing.

What does this regulation establish?

Royal Decree 393/2026 modifies the regulatory framework of the CULTIVA Program in two main dimensions:

• Update to current regulations: The regulatory bases are adapted to the regulatory changes that have occurred since 2021, when the original Royal Decree 425/2021 was approved.
• Correction of practical aspects: Aspects detected during the actual application of the program in previous years are corrected, improving operations and procedures.

The modification affects access requirements, the conditions that accredited model farms must meet, and the procedures that the program's calling and managing entities must follow.

Economic and operational impact

The CULTIVA Program represents a direct financing opportunity for young people who want to enter the agricultural sector. Subsidies cover training stays in model farms, which means costs are covered both for the young farmer and, in part, for the receiving farm.

For managing entities and agricultural organizations that participate in the call, the operational impact is immediate: they must adapt their internal procedures to the new bases before processing applications or new calls. Failure to do so could result in the invalidation of applications or problems in justifying subsidies already granted.

For model farms, the modification may involve a review of their accreditation or the requirements they must meet to continue participating as farms receiving young people in training.

Who does it affect?

• Young farmers: Those wishing to apply for a subsidized training stay in a model farm must verify that they meet the new access requirements established by Royal Decree 393/2026.
• Model agricultural farms: Farms accredited as model and receiving young people in training must check that their participation conditions remain valid under the new regulatory bases.
• Managing and calling entities: Agricultural organizations and entities that manage the program must adapt their administrative and calling procedures to the new bases before launching new calls.
• Agricultural organizations: Those participating in program management must review their internal protocols to align with the changes introduced.

Practical example

An agricultural organization that manages the CULTIVA Program and plans to open a new call for training stays for 2026 must, before publishing the call, thoroughly review its bases against Royal Decree 393/2026.

If this managing entity maintains the requirements and procedures of Royal Decree 425/2021 without updating, applications processed under those conditions may not comply with the current regulatory bases. This can lead to problems during the justification of granted subsidies or the invalidation of applications already submitted.

Similarly, a young farmer interested in applying for a stay in a model farm must ensure that both he and the receiving farm meet the updated requirements, not those from the 2021 framework.

What should organizations do now?

1. Review the new regulatory bases: Read Royal Decree 393/2026 in full and compare it with Royal Decree 425/2021 to identify exactly which requirements, conditions and procedures have changed.
2. Update internal procedures: Managing entities must adapt their forms, evaluation criteria and calling procedures to the new bases before launching any new call.
3. Verify accreditation of model farms: Participating farms must check that their accreditation and participation conditions remain valid under the new regulatory framework.
4. Inform potential beneficiaries: Communicate to interested young farmers the new access requirements to avoid applications that do not meet the updated conditions.
5. Consult with the competent authority: If you have doubts about the interpretation of the changes, contact the program's managing body for clarification before processing applications.

Official source

Consult complete regulation in official source

Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional.