Value Threshold in Procurement Law 2026 – Thresholds & National Limits
Value thresholds in procurement law determine which procedure applies: EU thresholds, national limits for direct award and simplified procedures.
Definition: Value thresholds in procurement law are monetary cut-off figures whose exceedance or undercutting triggers different procurement procedures, publication obligations and legal remedies – ranging from direct award through national procedures to EU-wide tendering.
Last updated: January 2026 · Legal basis: EU thresholds 2024/2025, BVergG 2018 (Austria), GWB/VgV/UVgO (Germany)
What are value thresholds in procurement law?
Value thresholds are the central control instrument of procurement law: they determine which rules apply to a procurement and what legal protection bidders enjoy. The higher the estimated contract value, the stricter and more demanding the procedural requirements. Procurement law essentially recognises three levels: direct award (no or minimal requirements), national tender procedure and EU-wide procedure.
EU thresholds (above-threshold area)
The EU thresholds are reset by the European Commission every two years (Delegated Regulation) and apply to all Member States.
Current thresholds (as of 2024/2025, excluding VAT):
| Contract type | Central public contracting authorities | Other public contracting authorities | Utilities contracting entities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supply contracts | EUR 143,000 | EUR 221,000 | EUR 443,000 |
| Service contracts | EUR 143,000 | EUR 221,000 | EUR 443,000 |
| Works contracts | EUR 5,538,000 | EUR 5,538,000 | EUR 5,538,000 |
| Concessions | EUR 5,538,000 | EUR 5,538,000 | EUR 5,538,000 |
National value thresholds (below-threshold area)
Below the EU thresholds, national rules apply that prescribe different procedures depending on the country and type of service.
Austria (BVergG 2018)
| Procedure type | Supplies/services | Works |
|---|---|---|
| Direct award | up to EUR 100,000 | up to EUR 75,000 |
| Direct award with publication | up to EUR 130,000 | up to EUR 200,000 |
| Restricted procedure (USB) | up to EU threshold | up to EU threshold |
Germany (VgV/UVgO/VOB/A)
| Procedure type | Supplies/services | Works |
|---|---|---|
| Negotiated award / direct contract | up to EUR 1,000 | up to EUR 3,000 |
| Restricted tender | up to EUR 100,000 (UVgO) | up to EUR 150,000 |
| Open tender | from EUR 100,000 | from EUR 150,000 |
Note: Federal state-specific rules may deviate.
Estimating the contract value
Correctly estimating the contract value is decisive for the choice of procedure. The contracting authority must estimate the value realistically and completely – artificially splitting a contract into smaller lots in order to fall below thresholds is prohibited (anti-circumvention rule).
FAQ
How often are the EU thresholds updated? Every two years, most recently on 1 January 2024. The next adjustment took place or is expected on 1 January 2026.
What happens if the estimated contract value turns out to be wrong? If the actual contract value is unexpectedly exceeded without this being foreseeable, this alone does not constitute a procurement error. Deliberate underestimation, however, is impermissible.
Are value thresholds net or gross? In procurement law, contract values are always estimated and compared net of VAT.
Last updated: January 2026 All information without warranty. For legally binding advice, please consult a law firm specialising in procurement law.
Book a demo.
See what BOND finds for your company — tenders, suppliers, and partners you'd never discover on your own. Cancel any month, anytime.