The conditions and technical arrangements for access to the national reserve are set out in the Agea Circular on the national reserve.

Access to the reserve by farmers may be required in order to obtain the allocation of new licences or the increase in the value of securities already held.

In any case, the farmer will have to meet the active farmer requirement. It can be carried out by young farmers, by new farmers, to avoid the abandonment of land, to compensate for specific disadvantages, in situations of difficulty and following administrative measures and judicial decisions.

Farmers between the ages of 18 years and 65 years in the year of application are eligible for access to the national reserve; and then, where appropriate, after the date of submission of the application.

In addition, access to the national reserve shall require the submission of the single application no later than the last day for the submission of the application.

In order to receive licences from the national reserve, a minimum eligible area of one hectare must be made available; this rule does not apply to farmers applying for access to the national reserve in order to avoid abandonment of land and to compensate for specific disadvantages. At the time of submission of the application, the eligible hectares available to the farmer on 15 May of each year shall be considered.

The use of the national reserve follows an order of priority involving the allocation of licences primarily to young farmers and new farmers. Where the resources allocated to the reserve are not sufficient to meet the requests made by farmers following an administrative measure and judicial decision, by a young farmer and a new farmer, there shall be a linear reduction in the value of payment entitlements under the basic payment scheme.