EU Procurement Thresholds

The Directives set out detailed procedures for the award of contracts whose value equals or exceeds specific thresholds. Details of the thresholds, applying from 1st January 2020 are given below. Thresholds are net of VAT.

THE EUROPEAN PUBLIC CONTRACTS DIRECTIVE (2014/24/EU)

The European Public Contracts Directive (2014/24/EU) applies to public authorities including, amongst others, government departments, local authorities and NHS Authorities and Trusts.

	Supply, Services1 and Design Contracts	Works Contracts2	Social and other specific services3
Central Government4	£122,976 €139,000	£4,733,252 €5,350,000	£663,540 €750,000
Other contracting authorities	£189,330 €214,000	£4,733,252 €5,350,000	£663,540 €750,000
Small Lots	£70,778 €80,000	£884,720 €1,000,000	n/a

1With the exception of the following services which have different thresholds or are exempt:
   – Social and other specific services (subject to the light touch regime) Article 74.
   – Subsidised services contracts specified under Article 13 (Article 14 in Scotland).
   – Research and development services under Article 14 (Article 15 in Scotland) (specified CPV codes are exempt).

2With the exception of subsidised works contracts specified under Article 13 (Article 14 in Scotland).

3As per Article 74. Services are listed in Schedule 3.

4Schedule 1 of the Public Contracts Regulations lists the Central Government Bodies subject to the WTO GPA. These thresholds will also apply to any successor bodies.

THE EUROPEAN UTILITY CONTRACTS DIRECTIVE (2014/25/EU)

Applies to certain utility companies operating in the Energy, Water, and Transport sectors.

	Supply, Services and Design Contracts	Works Contracts	Social and other specific services
Utility authorities	£378,660 €428,000	£4,733,252 €5,350,000	£884,720 €1,000,000

THE DEFENCE & SECURITY DIRECTIVE (2009/81/EC)

The Defence & Security Directive (2009/81/EC) applies to entities operating in the fields of defence and security.

	Supply, Services and Design Contracts	Works Contracts	Social and other specific services
Defence and Security authorities	£378,660 €428,000	£4,733,252 €5,350,000	n/a

THE CONCESSIONS DIRECTIVE (2014/23/EU)

The European Concessions Directive (2014/23/EU) applies only to concession contracts. Concessions are contracts for pecuniary interest by means of which one or more contracting authorities or contracting entities entrusts the execution of works, or the provision and the management of services, to one or more economic operators.

	Concession Contracts
Authorities	£4,733,252 €5,350,000