Below-threshold procurement has an estimated value below the applicable EU directive threshold. National rules can still require publication, competition, evidence and review procedures. “Below threshold” is not a general exemption from procurement law.
Identify the correct comparison
For 2026–2027, the ordinary classical supply/service thresholds are EUR 140,000 for central authorities and EUR 216,000 for sub-central authorities, excluding VAT. These do not apply to every contract category or regime. Use the current EU threshold table.
The relevant comparison is the buyer's legally calculated estimate, not a single year's payment or one supplier's eventual price. Article 5 of Directive 2014/24/EU includes rules for options, renewals, aggregation, regular purchases and frameworks.
Why annual value can mislead
Illustrative case: a sub-central hospital expects ordinary maintenance services costing EUR 180,000 per year for two years. The base total is EUR 360,000 excluding VAT before any options. It cannot be called below threshold merely because one year's cost is below EUR 216,000.
A genuine one-off EUR 50,000 supplies procurement may fall below that threshold, but the national rules still determine its permitted route. Do not assume a universal requirement for three quotes or an automatic right to direct award.
Find the applicable national procedure
Check the buyer's jurisdiction, contract type, official national guidance and actual notice. National thresholds and publication requirements differ and can change independently from EU thresholds.
Treaty obligations may also be relevant, notably where there is certain cross-border interest. The degree of publicity and applicable process require a case-specific assessment; a small value alone does not settle every legal question.
Some below-threshold notices appear on TED voluntarily, while others are published through national or buyer portals. An empty TED search does not prove there are no relevant opportunities.
Practical supplier workflow
Identify the official source for the buyer and category. Record registration needs, document access and submission channel. Review the eligibility and terms even if the response process is simpler than a large EU competition.
Use the data source audit to check what your monitoring misses, then the notice-reading guide and bid/no-bid checklist to assess an actual pursuit.
Verified 13 September 2026 using the Commission threshold reference and the classical Directive's valuation rules. National procedure limits must be verified separately.