How can farmers access interest-free credit for drought?

Farms should contact the agricultural office of their canton. The procedure requires documentation of the liquidity crisis caused by the drought, then submit an application through cantonal forms within the deadlines indicated. The canton examines the eligibility and, if approved, disburses the credit without interest. The CHF 54 million allocated in 2026 represents the total national fund, divided between cantons.

How long will the forestry funds of CHF 17.5 million remain available?

The forestry credit of CHF 17.5 million will be available from 2027. From 2028, the DETEC must be authorized to request the same amount annually until the adaptation of the forest to climate change is completed. There is no predefined end date - the commitment is long-term.

When will the Federal Council decide on further measures?

Autumn 2026 is the deadline by which DATEC, DEFR, DFI and DDPS will verify whether further measures are needed. The Federal Council will have a comprehensive overview of the situation within this season and will decide on possible additional interventions. National heat cards will be ready by the end of October 2026.

Who is entitled to apply for drought relief?

Swiss farms affected by liquidity crises caused by drought can apply for interest-free loans. Forest owners (public and private) will be able to access forest funds once cantonal notices are published from 2027. All citizens will benefit from national heat cards to protect health during heatwaves.

What if the available credits are not enough for all requests?

The CHF 54 million available in 2026 for agriculture is divided between cantons and municipalities. If the requests exceed the total availability, the funds will be exhausted and it will not be possible to obtain further credits from this appropriation. For this reason, it is important to contact the cantonal agricultural offices quickly to submit the application.

Federal Council: CHF 71.5M for forest and agriculture (cross-border guide)

Di Redazione Frontaliere Ticino · Published on 26 August 2026

Alpine forest landscape during summer drought: withered vegetation and Swiss forests view

The Federal Council approves CHF 17.5M for forests and CHF 54M for farms affected by the record drought of summer 2026.

Context

In a nutshell

Federal Council: CHF 17.5M for forests + CHF 54M for agriculture
Record summer drought 2026: minimum rainfall since the beginning of measurements
Interest-free loans to farms; forest financing from 2027

Key facts

What: Additional federal appropriation for forest adaptation and agricultural aid
When: 26 August 2026; implementation 2026-2027+
Where: National Switzerland
Who: Federal Council, DATEC, DEFR, DFI, DDPS
Amount: CHF 17.5m (2027+ forests) + CHF 54M (2026 agriculture)
Cause: Record 2026 summer drought and heatwaves

The Federal Council deliberated on 26 August 2026 on concrete measures to address the drought and heatwaves that hit Switzerland in the summer of 2026. The decision entails a total additional allocation of CHF 71.5 million: CHF 17.5 million for the adaptation of the forest to climate change and CHF 54 million to support farms in liquidity crisis.

The rainfall in the summer of 2026 reached historic lows. Since the beginning of the measurements, such a small amount of rain had never been recorded until mid-August. This prolonged drought, aggravated by heatwaves, has directly impacted agriculture, forests, river navigation and electricity production.

Financing and intervention mechanisms

For the forestry sector, the Federal Council is asking Parliament for an increase in credit

Operational details

Concrete impacts on the agricultural sector

Swiss agricultural companies affected by drought will be able to access interest-free credits through the mechanisms provided for in Article 78 of the Agricultural Act. The CHF 54 million allocated in 2026 does not represent a subsidy, but a credit system: companies must repay the funds, but without paying interest. This mechanism is crucial for companies facing immediate cash flow difficulties due to declining productivity and increased artificial irrigation costs.

At the cantonal level, local agricultural administrations will play a determining role in identifying eligible companies and distributing credits. Each canton will have responsibility for management and allocation criteria, ensuring equity across Swiss regions. Municipalities, often involved in local aid granting procedures, will need to coordinate applications with their cantonal agricultural offices.

Forest adaptation and employment development

In the forestry sector, CHF 17.5 million annually starting from 2027 represents a strategic investment in adapting forests to climate change. Swiss forests face not only the acute drought of summer 2026, but also the structural challenge of a climate changing at accelerated rates. The funding enables reforestation programs with drought-resistant species, fire prevention interventions, and adaptive forest management.

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Key points

Access to agricultural credits

Agricultural enterprises interested in requesting interest-free credits must contact directly the agricultural office of their canton. The procedure includes:

1. Documentation of liquidity crisis: the enterprise must demonstrate that the drought has caused a decrease in productivity or a significant increase in operating costs. 2. Submission of application: through specific cantonal forms, by the deadlines indicated by each administration. 3. Cantonal evaluation: the canton examines eligibility according to pre-established criteria. 4. Credit disbursement: if approved, the credit is disbursed interest-free and with agreed repayment terms.

The CHF 54 million allocated for 2026 represents a comprehensive national fund; each canton receives a quota and manages local allocation. It is essential to contact the cantonal agricultural office early, as funds may be exhausted if requests exceed total availability.

Planning for forest owners

Forest owners (public and private) will need to wait for cantonal calls for proposals to access CHF 17.5 million annually starting from 2027. In the meantime, it is advisable to:

1. Contact the cantonal forestry office to learn the eligibility criteria for 2027. 2. Document adaptation measures already carried out or planned (reforestation, fire prevention, adaptive management). 3. Monitor cantonal public notices for funding calls that will be released soon.

Health protection: heat maps by autumn 2026

By the end of October, the DFI will present the first standardized national heat maps. Citizens and municipal administrations will need to:

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Frequently Asked Questions

How can farmers access interest-free credit for drought?: Farms should contact the agricultural office of their canton. The procedure requires documentation of the liquidity crisis caused by the drought, then submit an application through cantonal forms within the deadlines indicated. The canton examines the eligibility and, if approved, disburses the credit without interest. The CHF 54 million allocated in 2026 represents the total national fund, divided between cantons.
How long will the forestry funds of CHF 17.5 million remain available?: The forestry credit of CHF 17.5 million will be available from 2027. From 2028, the DETEC must be authorized to request the same amount annually until the adaptation of the forest to climate change is completed. There is no predefined end date - the commitment is long-term.
When will the Federal Council decide on further measures?: Autumn 2026 is the deadline by which DATEC, DEFR, DFI and DDPS will verify whether further measures are needed. The Federal Council will have a comprehensive overview of the situation within this season and will decide on possible additional interventions. National heat cards will be ready by the end of October 2026.
Who is entitled to apply for drought relief?: Swiss farms affected by liquidity crises caused by drought can apply for interest-free loans. Forest owners (public and private) will be able to access forest funds once cantonal notices are published from 2027. All citizens will benefit from national heat cards to protect health during heatwaves.
What if the available credits are not enough for all requests?: The CHF 54 million available in 2026 for agriculture is divided between cantons and municipalities. If the requests exceed the total availability, the funds will be exhausted and it will not be possible to obtain further credits from this appropriation. For this reason, it is important to contact the cantonal agricultural offices quickly to submit the application.