NACE Q – Human Health and Social Work Activities | Public Tenders

Definition: NACE Section Q covers the entire health and social work sector: from hospitals and medical practices through care homes to social institutions for children, young people and people with disabilities. Healthcare is one of the highest-volume tender segments in the public sector.

What does NACE Q cover?

Public Tenders in Health and Social Work

Healthcare is one of the largest public procurement markets. Hospitals, social-security institutions and care institutions procure medical devices, medicines, services and infrastructure each year worth billions.

Typical Contract Types

• Medical devices and medical technology: Implants, single-use materials, operating-theatre equipment, imaging systems (MRI, CT)
• Medicines and pharmaceuticals: Supply of hospital pharmacies, vaccine procurement
• Care services and social services: Outpatient care, home nursing, social care
• Hospital construction and refurbishment: New build, extension and refurbishment of hospitals
• Laboratory services: Clinical laboratory analyses, hygiene monitoring, COVID test services
• Digital health systems: Hospital information systems (HIS), electronic health records (ELGA, ePA)
• Bedding and medical furniture: Hospital furniture, bed fittings, medical furnishings

Thresholds

Supply contracts from EUR 221,000 are subject to EU-wide tendering. Social services (care, social support) are subject to a simplified procedure with a higher threshold of EUR 750,000 and may be awarded under specific quality criteria.

Common CPV Codes

Contracting Authorities

• Hospitals and university clinics: Largest buyers of medical devices, pharmaceuticals and services
• Social-security institutions (ÖGK, GKV, ÖAK): Procurement of medical and assistive devices, IT systems
• Regions and municipalities: Operation of public hospitals, care homes, social institutions
• Red Cross, Caritas, Diakonie: Social organisations classified as contracting authorities
• Ministries of health: Vaccine procurement, emergency stockpiles, epidemiological services

FAQ

What tenders are available for medical-device manufacturers? Medical devices are tendered by hospitals, purchasing groups and social-security institutions. Pooling is often done via hospital purchasing groups (KEG, Bela-Einkauf). Requirements: CE marking, MDR conformity, clinical evaluations. CPV codes: 33100000 ff.

Are outpatient care services subject to tendering obligations? Social services are subject to a simplified procurement procedure with a threshold of EUR 750,000. Below this value, municipalities have greater discretion. Above it, the transparency and publication requirements of the EU procurement directives apply, but the procedure is less formal than for classical tenders.

How are hospital information systems (HIS) awarded? HIS contracts are complex IT procurements, usually carried out under the negotiated procedure or competitive dialogue. Requirements: GDPR compliance, HL7/FHIR interfaces, data-protection certification, hospital references. Typical contract duration: 7–15 years including maintenance.

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