What Is the Difference Between Selling Harvesting Rights and Selling Forest?
This is one of the most common questions forest owners ask. When selling harvesting rights, you sell only the timber - the right to fell the trees. The land remains your property. When selling the forest, you sell the entire property - both the trees and the land.
Harvesting Rights Sale vs Forest Sale: Detailed Comparison
| Criterion | Harvesting Rights Sale | Forest (Property) Sale |
|---|---|---|
| What do you sell? | Only the timber (harvestable material) | Entire property (land + forest) |
| Land ownership | Remains with you | Goes to the buyer |
| Typical price | 60-80% of property value | 100% of property value |
| Income tax | 20% income tax (deductions possible) | 20% income tax (deductions possible) |
| Land tax after transaction | Remains with you | Goes to the buyer |
| Process duration | 2-6 months (harvesting period) | 2-4 weeks |
| Required documents | Felling notice + contract | Notarial purchase-sale agreement |
| Forest after transaction | Harvested area that will regenerate | No longer your property |
| Suitable if... | You want to keep the land for the future | You want to fully part with the property |
When to Choose Harvesting Rights Sale?
- You have an emotional connection to the land (family land, near summer house)
- You want to pass the land to your children
- The forest is mature and you need immediate income
- The property is in a good location where land value is growing
- You want to grow forest again in the future
When to Choose Forest Sale?
- You want to fully part with the property
- The property is far away and you are not managing it
- You have financial obligations (loan, tax debt)
- The forest is young and selling harvesting rights is not practical
- You don't want to deal with land tax
Tax Treatment: Harvesting Rights vs Forest Sale
Both options are subject to 20% income tax on profit. With harvesting rights sale, you can deduct forest processing costs. With property sale, you can deduct the acquisition cost. In both cases, you can utilize up to 5,000 EUR of tax-free forest sale income per year.
“If the land is in a good area and you don't need money urgently, selling harvesting rights is often the smarter choice. Land value grows over time.” — Metzfund valuation expert
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to organize the harvesting myself when selling harvesting rights?
No. The buyer (e.g., Metzfund) organizes the entire harvesting process - from felling to hauling.
Can harvesting rights be sold for young forest?
Harvesting rights can only be sold for mature forest that has a valid felling notice. For young stands, it is more practical to sell the entire property.
Which option does Metzfund recommend?
It depends on your situation. Ask us for a price offer - we will submit offers for both options so you can compare.
Does the forest regenerate on its own after selling harvesting rights?
Yes, for most harvesting types, the forest regenerates naturally. If needed, planting can be done, the cost of which is typically covered by the buyer.