For 2026–2027, ordinary supplies and services under the classical EU regime have thresholds of EUR 140,000 for central-government authorities and EUR 216,000 for sub-central authorities. The works threshold is EUR 5,404,000. All are excluding VAT and effective from 1 January 2026. European Commission table.
Which other amounts matter?
Classical Annex XIV social and other specific services use EUR 750,000. Utilities ordinary supplies/services and design contests use EUR 432,000; utilities Annex XVII services use EUR 1,000,000. Utilities works and concessions use EUR 5,404,000. See the full threshold reference for legal sources and regime distinctions.
Central-government defence supplies outside Annex III of the classical Directive use EUR 216,000. Defence/security contracts governed by Directive 2009/81/EC have a separate regime. Do not apply this summary to every contract based only on its buyer's name.
Which value is compared?
The buyer's estimated procurement value is compared with the relevant threshold. Under Article 5 of Directive 2014/24/EU, valuation includes stated options and renewals and excludes VAT. Frameworks and dynamic purchasing systems use the maximum estimated value of contracts envisaged over their full duration.
The eventual bid price is not the test. Artificial splitting to avoid the Directive is prohibited. Special rules, including the small-lot derogation, need to be checked in the governing text.
What happens below threshold?
National rules remain relevant, including their own publication and procedure requirements. EU Treaty principles can also apply, notably where certain cross-border interest exists. Below threshold does not mean buyers can disregard their procurement obligations.
This page covers EU euro thresholds, not UK rules or automatic currency conversions. For a non-euro EU country, use the official equivalent linked by the Commission. Use the calculation guide for a worked estimate.
Verified 13 September 2026. Review for the next threshold period before 1 January 2028.