Public tenders in Germany: where to find them and how to bid
Updated 18 Oct 2026 · figures from 3 Nov 2026
German public buyers published 77,754 tenders on TED in our ten categories in the last 12 months, more than any other country we track. Construction alone was 34,048. Many more smaller contracts never reach TED, and they are spread over dozens of federal, state and city platforms.
Where German tenders are published
Above the EU thresholds: on TED, like every EU country. The tender documents themselves are on the buyer's e-procurement platform, linked from the notice.
Below the thresholds: there is no single portal. Federal buyers publish on service.bund.de. Since 2024 the national notice service at oeffentlichevergabe.de collects notices from many platforms, but states and cities also use their own, and commercial platforms such as DTVP host procedures for many buyers. Expect to register on several platforms to download documents and bid.
The rules that matter
Lots are the norm. German law requires buyers to split contracts into lots by trade and size where possible, to give small and mid-sized firms a chance. That is why SMEs win 86% of construction awards.
Two rulebooks below the thresholds. Works follow the VOB/A; supplies and services mostly follow the UVgO. Above the thresholds, the GWB and the VgV (or the sector rules) apply.
Everything is in German. Notices, documents, questions and bids. A bid in another language is usually not accepted.
Online submission. Above the thresholds, bids are submitted through the platform, not by email or post.
What the award data says
| Category | Tenders, 12 months | Median bids | Single-bid | Price only | Won by SMEs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction | 34,048 | 5 | 10% | 95% | 86% |
| Medical equipment | 2,789 | 2 | 45% | 61% | 43% |
| Architecture and engineering | 15,339 | 3 | 15% | 22% | 91% |
| IT services | 4,138 | 2 | 36% | 37% | 59% |
| Software | 2,972 | 2 | 45% | 70% | 55% |
| Cleaning and waste | 5,868 | 5 | 10% | 53% | 75% |
| Vehicles | 5,278 | 1.5 | 48% | 52% | 67% |
| Repair and maintenance | 1,989 | 2 | 42% | 63% | 66% |
| Business services | 4,046 | 5 | 15% | 26% | 71% |
| Security and fire safety | 1,287 | 2 | 44% | 65% | 76% |
Two things stand out. In construction, almost every contract is decided on price alone, so a sharp, complete bid wins. In medical equipment, software, vehicles and security, a large share of contracts got a single bid, so the buyer is often short of bidders.
Bidding from outside Germany
Foreign companies may bid, and companies from countries in the WTO procurement agreement have a right to for covered contracts. In practice, fewer than 5% of German awards in most categories go to a company from another country. German documents, German references and someone who can answer the buyer's questions in German are what make the difference.
Questions
Where can I find public tenders in Germany?
Larger tenders are on TED. Smaller ones are on service.bund.de for federal buyers, on oeffentlichevergabe.de, and on state, city and commercial platforms such as DTVP. There is no single portal.
Do I need to bid in German?
Almost always. Notices, documents, questions and bids are in German, and bids in other languages are usually not accepted.
Which rules apply to German public tenders below the EU thresholds?
Works follow the VOB/A and supplies and services mostly follow the UVgO. Above the thresholds the GWB and VgV apply.