Starting January 1, 2026, all public institutions and businesses participating in public procurement procedures must apply the new value thresholds established by the European Union and published in Romania by the National Agency for Public Procurement (ANAP). These thresholds directly impact how procurement procedures are carried out and determine when a formal procedure is required and when simplified rules can be applied.

 

What is public procurement?
Public procurement is the process through which public institutions (such as town halls, ministries, schools, hospitals) use public funds to buy goods, services, or works. Examples include:
  • A town hall purchasing laptops for employees;
  • A hospital acquiring medical equipment;
  • A school renovating a building.
     
These processes are governed by strict rules to ensure transparency, fairness, and efficient use of public money.
 
What are value thresholds?
 
Value thresholds are the monetary limits above which a formal procurement procedure is mandatory (such as an open tender published in SEAP and the Official Journal of the European Union). When the contract value exceeds the threshold, the contracting authority must follow formal procedures to ensure open competition.
 
These thresholds are updated periodically by the European Commission to reflect inflation and economic conditions and are directly applicable in all EU member states, including Romania.
 
Why do these thresholds matter?
Understanding these thresholds is essential for:
  • Public institutions: to apply the correct procurement procedure;
     
  • Companies: to know when they can participate in tenders and under what conditions.
     
Regular updates help ensure procurement remains aligned with current economic realities and supports transparency, competition, and value for money.
 
Updated Thresholds Starting January 1, 2026 – What’s Changing?
 
🏗️ Works Contracts
 
 
 
Law
Until Dec 31, 2025
From Jan 1, 2026
Law 98/2016
27,334,460 RON (5,538,000 EUR)
26,960,556 RON (5,404,000 EUR)
Law 99/2016
27,334,460 RON
26,960,556 RON
Law 100/2016 – Concessions
27,334,460 RON
26,960,556 RON
 
🛒 Goods and Services
 
 
 
Type of Procurement
Until Dec 31, 2025
From Jan 1, 2026
Goods & Services (Law 98/2016)
705,819 RON (143,000 EUR)
698,460 RON (140,000 EUR)
Local/Regional Authorities
1,090,812 RON
1,077,624 RON
Goods & Services (Law 99/2016)
2,186,559 RON
2,155,248 RON
 
🤝 Social Services and Other Specific Services
 
 
 
Law
Until Dec 31, 2025
From Jan 1, 2026
Law 98/2016
3,701,850 RON (750,000 EUR)
3,741,750 RON (750,000 EUR)
Law 99/2016
4,935,800 RON (1,000,000 EUR)
4,989,000 RON (1,000,000 EUR)
 
📦 Lot-based Contracts
 
 
 
Type
Until Dec 31, 2025
From Jan 1, 2026
Goods & Services – Lots
394,864 RON
399,120 RON
Works – Lots
4,935,800 RON
4,989,000 RON
 
What Do These Changes Mean?
  • Most thresholds have been slightly adjusted, either increasing or decreasing.
     
  • Some purchases that previously required full procurement procedures may now fall under simpler procedures.
     
  • Institutions must apply the new thresholds only to procedures launched after January 1, 2026.
     
Example: What does this look like in practice?
Let’s say a city hall plans to purchase laptops worth 700,000 RON.
In 2025, this would exceed the threshold of 705,819 RON, so a full procedure would be required.
In 2026, the threshold drops to 698,460 RON, so the same procurement would still require a formal tender under the new rules.
 
Recommendation from Financess
 
Whether you're a public authority or a private company participating in public procurement, it's crucial to:
  • Know the applicable thresholds;
     
  • Understand when formal procedures are required;
     
  • Prepare your documentation correctly;
     
  • Comply with all legal requirements at each step.
     
⚠️ Errors or misunderstandings can result in lost contracts, annulled tenders, or even legal penalties.
 
✅ For help interpreting thresholds, preparing bids, or handling public procurement procedures, our team at Financess is here to support you.
📞 Phone: (+40) 749 097 969
📧 Email: contact@financess.ro