VOB – German Construction Contract Procedures 2026

VOB (Vergabe- und Vertragsordnung für Bauleistungen): The central body of rules for public construction procurement in Germany. VOB/A, VOB/B and VOB/C explained.

Definition: The VOB (Vergabe- und Vertragsordnung für Bauleistungen, German Construction Contract Procedures) is the central German body of rules for the public procurement of construction works. It is divided into VOB/A (procurement provisions), VOB/B (general terms and conditions for the execution of construction works) and VOB/C (general technical terms and conditions for construction works).

Last updated: January 2026 · Legal status: VOB/A 2019, GWB §§ 97 et seq., VgV 2016, Directive 2014/24/EU

What is the VOB?

The VOB (German Construction Contract Procedures) is the most important body of rules for the award and execution of construction works by public contracting authorities in Germany. It is issued by the German Procurement and Contract Committee for Construction Works (DVA) and is updated regularly. The VOB has no direct force of law, but is made binding for public contracting authorities through references in procurement ordinances and administrative provisions.

The VOB applies to construction contracts of all kinds – from building construction and civil engineering to road construction and specialist construction works.

Structure of the VOB

The VOB is divided into three parts, each governing a different aspect of the construction process.

VOB/A – Procurement provisions

VOB/A regulates the procedure for awarding construction contracts and contains the rules for tendering, bid evaluation and contract award. It is subdivided into:

Section 1: Base text (sub-threshold area) – national procurement
Section 2 (EU): EU-wide provisions for contracts above the EU thresholds

The topics covered include: types of procurement (open procedure, restricted procedure, negotiated procedure without competition), deadlines, minimum requirements for specifications, suitability checks and contract award.

VOB/B – General terms and conditions

VOB/B contains the general terms and conditions for the execution of construction works and governs the legal relationship between the contracting authority and the contractor after the contract has been concluded. It covers provisions on:

Type and scope of the works
Remuneration and invoicing
Performance deadlines
Obstructions and interruptions
Acceptance
Warranty rights and defect claims
Termination

VOB/B departs in significant respects from the German Civil Code (BGB) law on contracts for work and services and must be expressly incorporated into the contract.

VOB/C – General technical terms and conditions

VOB/C contains general technical terms and conditions (ATV) for individual trades and defines technical execution standards and rules for invoicing. It covers DIN standards for various construction works (e.g. earthworks, masonry, concrete works). VOB/C is regularly updated to reflect the state of the art.

VOB and EU procurement law

In the above-threshold area (construction contracts of EUR 5,538,000 and above), VOB/A Section 2 (EU) applies, which transposes the requirements of Directive 2014/24/EU. In addition, the Procurement Ordinance (VgV) and the GWB apply. In the sub-threshold area, procurement follows VOB/A Section 1 in conjunction with the respective Länder provisions.

Special features of VOB/B

Unlike the default BGB law on contracts for work and services, VOB/B was originally conceived as a balanced contractual framework reflecting the interests of both parties. For this reason, it enjoys a privileged status: where VOB/B is agreed as a whole, it is subject to limited review under standard-terms law. However, if individual clauses are modified, the entirety of VOB/B may become subject to full standard-terms scrutiny.

Current version

The current version of VOB/A dates from 2019 (VOB/A 2019). The DVA updates the VOB regularly in order to reflect changes in the legal framework, new EU directives and practical requirements.

Related terms

FAQ

Does the VOB also apply to private construction contracts? VOB/A applies only to public contracting authorities. VOB/B and VOB/C may also be agreed contractually by private clients, which is common in practice.

What is the difference between VOB and a BGB contract for work and services? VOB/B departs from the BGB in several respects, for example on warranty periods, acceptance and remuneration rules. It is tailored specifically to construction relationships.

Must a public contracting authority apply the VOB? Public contracting authorities in Germany are generally obliged by administrative provisions (budgetary law) to apply VOB/A. There is no mandatory statutory obligation to incorporate VOB/B into the contract, but this is customary.

What happens if VOB/B has not been effectively incorporated into the contract? The default BGB law on contracts for work and services applies (§§ 631 et seq. BGB), which can be less favourable for contracting authorities in some respects.

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