In the frame of the Farm Structure Survey, data on the structure of the agricultural and forestry holdings are collected. These include for example the size, legal status of the holding, occupation type, type of tenure and participation in measures for rural development.
According to EU-legislation, a census is conducted every ten years, with sample surveys in three-year or four-year intervals in between. All agricultural and forestry holdings which meet the minimum requirements set out in the legislation are required to take part. Relevant available administrative data sources are used, and complemented with questionnaires.
For the census, regional data are available - partially at the municipality level. In survey years, the smallest geographical unit available is that of the federal province.