Procurement reference
EU thresholds for public procurement - overview
Above which contract value does EU procurement law apply? The thresholds below are reviewed every two years by the European Commission and are net values, excluding VAT.
Period: 2026 / 2027
Short answer
If the estimated contract value reaches or exceeds the applicable threshold, an EU-wide tender procedure (VgV, SektVO, KonzVgV, or VSVgV in Germany) is mandatory. Below the threshold, national rules apply (UVgO, VOB/A 1st section).
Threshold calculator
Enter the estimated net contract value and pick the contracting authority type and contract type. The calculator returns the applicable threshold and whether an EU-wide procedure is required.
Applicable threshold
€216,000
Applicable procurement rules
National rules (UVgO / VOB/A 1st section)
Please enter a contract value.
Classic procurement law (VgV / VOB/A 2nd section)
For contracting authorities outside the utilities sector. Different thresholds for central federal authorities and other contracting authorities.
| Contracting authority | Supply / services | Works |
|---|---|---|
| Central federal authorities | EUR 140,000 | EUR 5,404,000 |
| Other contracting authorities | EUR 216,000 | EUR 5,404,000 |
Utilities (SektVO)
Contracting entities in water, energy, transport, and postal services.
| Contracting authority | Supply / services | Works |
|---|---|---|
| Utility entities | EUR 432,000 | EUR 5,404,000 |
Concessions (KonzVgV)
Works and services concessions - single threshold regardless of contract subject.
| Contracting authority | Supply / services | Works |
|---|---|---|
| Works and services concessions | EUR 5,404,000 | EUR 5,404,000 |
Social and other specific services
Separate, higher threshold for the services listed in Annex XIV of Directive 2014/24/EU and Annex XVII of Directive 2014/25/EU.
| Contracting authority | Supply / services | Works |
|---|---|---|
| Classic procurement (section 130 GWB) | EUR 750,000 | - |
| Utilities | EUR 1,000,000 | - |
Frequently asked questions
The most common questions about thresholds in public procurement.
How is the contract value estimated?
The relevant value is the total estimated net value excluding VAT, including all options and contract extensions. Artificial splitting to fall below the threshold is prohibited under section 3 VgV.
Which threshold applies to mixed contracts?
For mixed contracts, the threshold follows the main subject. If no main subject can be identified, the higher threshold applies.
When are thresholds revised?
The European Commission reviews thresholds every two years and adjusts them by delegated regulation. The values shown apply to the 2026 / 2027 period.
What happens below the thresholds?
National sub-threshold rules apply: UVgO for supply and services, VOB/A 1st section for works. These are less formalised but still binding.
Where can I find the original regulation?
EU thresholds are published in the Official Journal of the European Union. We link to the current delegated regulations and the German GWB / VgV.
Sources and further reading
This overview does not constitute legal advice. Binding information is provided by the following sources.
- EUR-Lex - Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/2152 (classic procurement)
- EUR-Lex - Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/2150 (utilities)
- EUR-Lex - Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/2151 (concessions)
- EUR-Lex - Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/2487 (defence and security)
- EUR-Lex - EU procurement directives
- GWB - German Act against Restraints of Competition, part 4
- VgV - German Procurement Regulation
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The thresholds shown apply to the 2026 / 2027 period and are revised every two years by the European Commission. This page is not legal advice. The binding source is the current version published in the Official Journal of the European Union.