Prequalification for Construction Works (PQ-VOB) 2026

Definition: Prequalification for construction works (PQ-VOB) is the official register of prequalified undertakings for the construction services sector in Germany, in which construction companies are entered following a successful suitability assessment and which serves as recognised suitability evidence in tender procedures under VOB.

Last updated: January 2026 · Legal basis: § 6b VOB/A, § 6b EU VOB/A, PQ-VOB Guidelines 2022

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The PQ-VOB system

PQ-VOB is the central, nationally recognised qualification system for construction companies in public procurement and is jointly run by a consortium of public contracting authorities and construction industry associations. It was created to reduce the bureaucratic burden of suitability assessment: instead of submitting new suitability evidence in every tender procedure, prequalified undertakings demonstrate their suitability once and can rely on their register entry as proof.

Operator and organisation

The PQ-VOB register is administered by the public procurement advisory body (Auftragsberatungsstelle); the regional contract advisory bodies of the federal states are responsible for processing applications. The consortium comprises the German Public Procurement Network (DVNW), the leading construction industry associations and public contracting authority organisations.

Requirements for entry

To be entered in PQ-VOB, companies must submit extensive evidence of their professional, economic and personal suitability. The following are examined in particular:

• Professional expertise: craft qualifications, technical equipment, relevant experience and reference projects
• Performance capacity: annual turnover, number of employees, financial capacity
• Reliability: good-standing certificate, clearance certificates from tax offices and accident insurance bodies, no insolvencies
• Compliance: observance of minimum wage, collective agreements and safety regulations

Entry categories (trade lots)

PQ-VOB is divided into various trade lots that correspond to the different sectors of the construction industry. Companies are entered only for those trades for which they have demonstrated their suitability. The entry categories include building construction, civil engineering, finishing trades, building services engineering (TGA) and specialist civil engineering.

Validity and renewal

Entry in PQ-VOB is generally valid for three years; after expiry a renewal with updated evidence is required. Material changes in the company's circumstances (e.g. insolvency application, change of managing director, significant drops in turnover) must be reported to the prequalification office without delay. The entry can be removed if the suitability requirements no longer apply.

Use in tender procedures

Contracting authorities may, in their tender documents, accept or explicitly require submission of the PQ certificate as suitability evidence. In this case prequalified undertakings need not submit any further individual evidence. The contracting authority may, however, request additional contract-specific evidence in justified cases where this is not covered by the prequalification.

Benefits for companies

For construction companies, PQ-VOB prequalification offers significant competitive advantages: less administrative effort when preparing tenders, a uniform quality signal in the market and the ability to participate in tender procedures more quickly. For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that participate in many tender procedures, one-off prequalification can substantially reduce the workload.

FAQ

Is PQ-VOB certification mandatory? No, it is voluntary. Contracting authorities may, however, request it as suitability evidence. Without the certificate, companies must submit individual evidence separately for each procedure.

How long does the prequalification procedure take? Depending on the completeness of the documentation, generally four to eight weeks.

Can prequalification be revoked? Yes, if suitability requirements cease to be met or if false statements were made.

Is the PQ certificate valid nationwide? Yes, the PQ-VOB register is recognised nationwide.

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Last updated: January 2026 All information provided without guarantee. For legally binding advice, please consult a law firm specialising in public procurement law.