Above-threshold procurement has an estimated value equal to or greater than the applicable EU threshold, subject to the relevant directive's scope and exclusions. It signals a legal regime, not a guarantee that every purchase has a new open competition.
Confirm the value and regime
For 2026–2027, ordinary classical supplies/services use EUR 140,000 for central authorities and EUR 216,000 for sub-central authorities; works use EUR 5,404,000, excluding VAT. Other categories and regimes have different amounts. See the full current threshold table and Commission source.
The buyer's estimated total determines the comparison. An eventual low bid does not turn an above-threshold procurement into a below-threshold one. Include applicable options and renewals and use the relevant rules for lots, frameworks and recurring purchases.
What suppliers should check
The applicable rules govern publication, procedure, evidence, evaluation and remedies. Read the specific route: open and restricted competitions, frameworks, qualification systems and exceptional procedures are not identical.
A call-off under an existing framework does not necessarily produce a new contract notice. Social and other specific services have tailored provisions. An exclusion must be assessed on its actual conditions.
Record the notice's legal basis, official document links, lot identifiers, participation and submission deadlines, clarification process and evaluation criteria. Do not derive the response deadline from a general minimum-period rule when the notice provides a specific deadline.
Worked example
Illustrative case: an in-scope sub-central university plans an equipment purchase estimated at EUR 300,000 excluding VAT. That exceeds the ordinary classical supply threshold of EUR 216,000 for 2026–2027. The supplier should read the chosen procedure and its conditions, rather than assuming that value alone establishes eligibility.
If the same requirement includes several lots, inspect the aggregate-value rules before judging any single lot's route.
Move from classification to a pursuit decision
Use the notice review to collect the operative facts. Then apply the bid/no-bid framework to assess participation, evidence, delivery and commercial risk. Set up monitoring for official amendments during the pursuit.
Verified 13 September 2026. Legal basis: Directive 2014/24/EU, Articles 4–5 and applicable procedural provisions. Check national implementation and the actual procurement regime.