Natuurschoonwet 1928 (NSW): Rangschikking aanvragen

About this grant

The Natuurschoonwet 1928 (NSW) is a Dutch heritage-landscape scheme that gives tax benefits to landed estates (landgoederen) that are ranked under the act, making them easier to maintain. This page explains the application process for NSW ranking, which owners or their authorised representatives submit through the RVO Mijn RVO portal. Applications can be made at any time of the year. The application must include a set of attachments: a history description of the estate, a topographic terrain map, the Opgave Terreinen en opstallen (land and buildings statement), cadastral extracts, and cadastral maps with a parcel overview. Depending on the situation, further attachments may be needed, such as a Melding Machtiging for multi-owner estates, evidence of a historic link between estates, a joint declaration for collaborative ranking, a plan for planting if forest cover is insufficient (to be achieved within 3 years), and an opening situation map if the estate is opened to the public. After submission, RVO assesses the application together with the Belastingdienst (Tax Authority) and the province, with a 16-week target period. Officials may visit the estate, and applicants can usually correct deficiencies within an agreed window. The ministries of Agriculture and Finance take the final decision, issued as a beschikking. Ranked estates must keep to ongoing maintenance and ownership conditions, with changes reported to RVO.

Eligibility

Owners of landed estates in the Netherlands that meet the NSW conditions may apply, either directly or through an authorised person such as an adviser or a rentmeester. Applicants must log in to Mijn RVO with DigiD (for private individuals) or eHerkenning level 2+ (for businesses and organisations). Where an estate has multiple owners, all owners must sign the Melding Machtiging, and a joint ranking (samenwerkrangschikking) requires a joint declaration. The page does not list a monetary grant; it describes a tax-benefit ranking scheme.

How it's scored

RVO, the Belastingdienst and the relevant province assess whether the estate meets the NSW ranking conditions, including a site visit and possible correction of the application. The ministries of Landbouw, Visserij, Voedselzekerheid en Natuur and Financiën make the final decision. The page does not publish scoring weights.

Key requirements

• ✓Applicant must be an owner, usufructuary (vruchtgebruiker) or leaseholder (erfpachter) of a landgoed
• ✓The estate must be arranged for natural beauty and landscape protection under the Natuurschoonwet 1928 framework
• ✓Applications are accepted on a continuous basis via RVO

Funder contact

The notice names a programme contact you can speak to before applying.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Natuurschoonwet 1928 (NSW): Rangschikking aanvragen deadline?

This is a rolling call with no fixed deadline, so applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Who can apply for Natuurschoonwet 1928 (NSW): Rangschikking aanvragen?

Eligibility covers organisations in NL; individual, nonprofit. See the eligibility criteria above for the full conditions.

Relevant sectors

About this sector

Biodiversity funding backs habitat restoration, species protection, protected areas and nature-positive business. It comes from environment agencies, multilateral nature funds and conservation philanthropy, often through competitive calls with defined regions. Applicants are usually asked for baseline surveys, local partners and indicators that show ecological change.