Fuel Support Scheme 2026: What Farmers and Contractors Need to Know

The Government has officially launched details of the long-awaited €100m Fuel Support Scheme aimed at helping farmers, agricultural contractors and forestry operators deal with rising fuel costs.

The scheme will provide a once-off lump sum payment based on green diesel (MGO) usage during 2025, with applications opening from 6 May to 27 May 2026.

What Payment Can You Expect?

Eligible applicants will receive support worth approximately:

• 20 cent per litre of green diesel
• Around €200 per 1,000 litres used

The minimum payment under the scheme is €100, while the maximum payment has yet to be finalised and will depend on overall application numbers and State aid limits.

Payments will be made as a single lump sum payment, rather than monthly instalments.

Who Can Apply?

The scheme is open to:

Farmers

Most farmers must:

• Have submitted a 2025 BISS application
• Be classified as an active farmer
• Continue farming and submit a BISS application in 2026

Pig and poultry farmers who do not submit BISS applications may still qualify if they were registered with the Department of Agriculture in both 2025 and 2026.

Agricultural & Forestry Contractors

Contractors are eligible if they:

• Provide agricultural or forestry services
• Are VAT registered
• Are tax compliant
• Operated in 2025 and continue trading in 2026

Contractors who are not VAT registered are not eligible.

What Fuel Qualifies?

Only green diesel (MGO) used for:

• Agricultural production
• Forestry activities
• Farm contracting work is eligible under the scheme.

Road diesel is excluded, and fuel purchased outside the Republic of Ireland — including Northern Ireland — does not qualify.

How to Apply

Farmers

Farmers can apply:

• Online through MyAgFood.ie
• Through a FAS-approved advisor
• Or by downloading a paper application form from the Department website

Applicants will need to declare the total litres of agricultural MGO used during 2025.

Contractors

Contractors must complete a dedicated contractor application form and submit it along with:

• Fuel receipts
• Or supplier account summaries for 2025 fuel purchases

Applications can be submitted by email to: fuelsub@agriculture.gov.ie

Do You Need Receipts?

Farmers do not need to upload receipts during the application process, but receipts must be available if requested for inspection.

Contractors, however, must provide supporting fuel documentation when applying.

Applicants may also be asked to provide:

• Invoices
• Contracting records
• Supplier account summaries

to verify agricultural or forestry activity.

Additional Support for Hauliers and Transport Operators

Alongside the farming scheme, the Government has also launched the Road Transporters Support Scheme (RTSS) for:

• Licensed hauliers
• Own-account operators
• Bus and coach operators
• Construction contractors
• Quarry truck drivers

The scheme applies to heavy goods vehicles over 3,500kg and follows a graduated payment structure similar to the 2023 Licensed Haulage Support Scheme.

Applications for this are made though the revenue website.