Definition
In public procurement "the thresholds" are the monetary limits above which the European Directives 2014/24/EU and 2014/25/EU apply. A contract with an estimated value above the relevant threshold is above the thresholds and follows the full European regime. A contract below is below the thresholds and follows the national rules of Law 4412/2016, which are simpler in publicity and deadlines but not in substance.
The 2026-2027 thresholds
The Commission revises the thresholds every two years. For 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2027, excluding VAT:
| Type | Contracting authorities | Utilities |
|---|---|---|
| Works | 5,404,000 € | 5,404,000 € |
| Supplies and services, central government | 140,000 € | 432,000 € |
| Supplies and services, other authorities | 216,000 € | |
| Social and specific services | 750,000 € | 1,000,000 € |
Central government means the ministries and the bodies listed in the relevant annex of the Directive. Municipalities, regions, hospitals, universities and the other public law bodies are "other authorities" with the 216,000 euro threshold.
What changes above the threshold
- Publication in TED before ΚΗΜΔΗΣ, on the European electronic forms.
- Longer deadlines. At least 30 days in the open procedure with electronic submission, against 15 below the thresholds.
- Stricter rules on negotiation without publication, with the assent of ΕΑΔΗΣΥ.
- Pre-contractual review by the Court of Audit for the largest contracts.
The ESPD, guarantees, selection criteria and the pre-judicial appeal apply in both cases.
How the estimated value is calculated
The estimated value (article 6) is the total amount payable excluding VAT, including options and renewals. For contracts divided into lots the total value of all lots is taken. For recurring supplies the value of twelve months is taken. The authority may not split a contract to fall below the threshold.
These thresholds must not be confused with the national thresholds for direct award (30,000 and 60,000 euros) and for mandatory use of ΕΣΗΔΗΣ (30,000 euros), which are national choices and do not change with the European regulations.
Frequently asked questions
What is the threshold for a municipal tender to be above the thresholds?
216,000 euros excluding VAT for supplies and services, for 2026-2027. Above it the tender is published in TED with a minimum deadline of 30 days.
Do the thresholds change every year?
Every two years, by Commission delegated regulations published in the autumn and applying from 1 January of the following year. The next thresholds will apply from 1 January 2028.