Public procurement thresholds in Belgium for 2026 and 2027
In Belgium, from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2027, excluding VAT: works €5,404,000, federal authorities €140,000, other contracting authorities €216,000, special sectors €432,000 and some services €750,000. A Belgian low-value contract stays up to €30,000 excluding VAT. Above the European threshold, the notice is published on TED.
Updated
EU and Belgian thresholds for 2026-2027 excl. VAT: €140,000, €216,000, €432,000, €750,000 and €5,404,000, low-value contracts up to €30,000. What each amount means for your bid.
The European thresholds in force (amounts excl. VAT)
From 1 January 2026 until 31 December 2027, the European publicity thresholds have fallen slightly. They decide whether a Belgian contract goes to the Official Journal of the EU (TED) or stays in the Bulletin of Invitations to Tender, and which procedures the buyer may use.
| Type of contract | 2024-2025 | 2026-2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Works and concessions (classic and special sectors) | €5,538,000 | €5,404,000 |
| Supplies and services, federal authorities (central government) | €143,000 | €140,000 |
| Supplies and services, other contracting authorities (Regions, municipalities, CPAS, intermunicipal companies…) | €221,000 | €216,000 |
| Supplies and services, special sectors (water, energy, transport, postal services) and defence/security | €443,000 | €432,000 |
| Social and other specific services (classic sectors) | €750,000 | €750,000 |
The amounts apply to the total estimated value of the contract, excl. VAT, including options and renewals.
The Belgian thresholds that do not change
- €30,000 excl. VAT: below that, it is a low-value contract (article 92 of the law of 17 June 2016). The buyer may consult directly, often on an accepted invoice.
- €140,000 and €216,000 excl. VAT: below that, the buyer may use the negotiated procedure without prior publication. These two amounts now follow the European thresholds (they were €143,000 and €221,000).
- €140,000 excl. VAT: from this amount, the buyer must consider dividing the contract into lots and give reasons if it does not.
- €750,000 excl. VAT: ceiling of the direct negotiated procedure with prior publication for works.
What this changes for an SME
- Above the European threshold, the notice is published on TED and in the Bulletin of Invitations to Tender: that is where AOEX finds it and checks whether it is still open: Still open
- Below it, the contract may be published only in the Bulletin of Invitations to Tender, or not at all for a procedure without publication: you need to make yourself known to buyers: Markets not on TED
- A contract in lots can exceed the threshold in total even if each lot is small: the value of all the lots counts: TED notice in lots
- Because the thresholds fall a little, some supply and service contracts between €216,000 and €221,000 (or €140,000 and €143,000 at federal level) now require European publicity.
- Above the European threshold, the ESPD is mandatory: it is completed and attached to the tender or the request to participate. How to complete it is explained here: ESPD guide
Common questions
What is the European threshold for a municipal services contract in 2026?
€216,000 excl. VAT.
What is the European threshold for works in 2026?
€5,404,000 excl. VAT.
Up to what amount is a contract low-value in Belgium?
Up to €30,000 excl. VAT (amount unchanged).
Until when are these thresholds valid?
From 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2027; the Commission revises them every two years.
Sources
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/2152, 22 October 2025 European Commission, thresholds 2026-2027 Ministerial order of 5 January 2026 (Belgian Official Gazette, 14 January 2026)
This note describes public documents and how AOEX works. It is not legal advice.
Edited by aoex.
