EU public procurement thresholds for 2026 and 2027
Updated 18 Oct 2026 · figures from 5 Nov 2026
From 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2027, a public contract in the EU must be advertised on TED if its estimated value, without VAT, is at or above these amounts. Below them, national rules apply and the tender is usually published only on the country's own portal.
The thresholds
| Contract | Threshold 2026–2027 | 2024–2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Works (all buyers) | €5,404,000 | €5,538,000 |
| Supplies and services, central government | €140,000 | €143,000 |
| Supplies and services, other public buyers (regions, cities, hospitals) | €216,000 | €221,000 |
| Supplies and services, utilities (water, energy, transport, post) | €432,000 | €443,000 |
| Supplies and services, defence and security | €432,000 | €443,000 |
| Social and other specific services | €750,000 | €750,000 |
Set by Commission Delegated Regulations adopted in 2025, under Directives 2014/24/EU, 2014/25/EU, 2014/23/EU and 2009/81/EU. Most thresholds went down slightly to follow exchange rates under the WTO procurement agreement. Concessions have the same threshold as works. Countries outside the euro area publish the same thresholds in their own currency. European Commission announcement.
What this means for suppliers
TED shows only part of the market. A city buying €150,000 of IT services does not have to publish on TED. That tender will be on the national portal, often with less competition. See where national tenders are published.
The value is the whole contract. Buyers must add up all lots and the full contract period, including options and extensions. A framework over four years can pass the threshold even if each order is small.
Above the threshold, the EU rules protect you. Minimum deadlines, published award criteria and the right to challenge a decision all apply. Below it, national rules decide, and they vary a lot.
The UK is separate. Since Brexit, UK thresholds are set under the Procurement Act 2023, stated including VAT, and published on Find a Tender.
Questions
What are the EU procurement thresholds for 2026?
From 1 January 2026: €5,404,000 for works, €140,000 for supplies and services bought by central government, €216,000 for other public buyers, and €432,000 for utilities. They apply until 31 December 2027.
Are EU thresholds with or without VAT?
Without VAT. The estimated value is the total of the contract, including all lots, options and extensions, before VAT.
What happens to tenders below the EU threshold?
They follow national rules and are usually published only on the country's national portal, not on TED.