minimum value threshold

The minimum value threshold (Norwegian: innslagspunkt) is the contract value below which Norway's Public Procurement Act does not apply at all. From 1 July 2026 the limit is NOK 500,000 excl. VAT. If a contract is worth less, the Norwegian procurement rules do not apply.

How does the minimum value threshold work?

EU Directive 2014/24/EU only regulates contracts above the EU thresholds, which for 2026–2027 are €140,000 for central government, €216,000 for sub-central authorities and €5,404,000 for works. Below those values, each EEA country sets its own rules, and many choose a lower national limit under which no procurement rules apply.

In Norway, this limit is set in Section 2(1) of the Public Procurement Act. The Act applies when a contracting authority awards a supply, service or works contract with an estimated value equal to or above NOK 500,000 excl. VAT. Until 30 June 2026 the limit was NOK 100,000. The government proposed NOK 300,000, but the Norwegian parliament raised it to NOK 500,000 to bring Norway closer to Sweden and Denmark. The same limit appears in the Norwegian procurement regulation, the utilities regulation and the concession contracts regulation.

The minimum value threshold is not the same as a threshold value. The two are often confused, so here is the Norwegian ladder:

• Below NOK 500,000: The procurement rules do not apply, not even the fundamental principles. Other rules may still apply, such as administrative law and the authority's own financial rules.
• NOK 500,000 to NOK 1.3 million: The Act and Part I of the procurement regulation apply. The authority must follow the fundamental principles, but there are no procedural rules and no publication obligation.
• From NOK 1.3 million (national threshold): Part II applies, and the contract must be advertised on Doffin.
• Above the EEA threshold: Part III applies, with stricter procedures and publication across the EEA.

An example: A Norwegian municipality needs help upgrading its website for NOK 400,000. Before 1 July 2026 this was covered by the Act. Now the municipality can make a direct award and call the agency it already knows.

Why does the minimum value threshold matter for suppliers?

More small purchases in Norway can now be made without competition. You will not see them on Doffin, and no rule says the authority has to ask you. That makes it more important to be known by the buyer before the need arises. Take part in market dialogue, stay in touch with existing customers and show what you can deliver.

The threshold also decides which other requirements apply. Societal considerations such as security and preparedness only apply when the Act applies. Read more about the full reform in our blog post on new Norwegian procurement rules from 1 July 2026. Tools like Cobrief help you catch the tenders that are actually advertised.

Frequently asked questions

Is the minimum value threshold the same as the threshold value?

No. In Norway, the minimum value threshold (NOK 500,000) decides whether the Act applies. The national threshold (NOK 1.3 million) decides whether the contract must be advertised. The EEA threshold decides whether the strictest rules apply.

How is the value calculated?

The contracting authority must estimate the total value of the contract excl. VAT, including options and extensions. Splitting a purchase to stay below the limit is not allowed.

Can I complain about a purchase below NOK 500,000?

Not to KOFA, the Norwegian complaints board, since the Public Procurement Act does not apply. The authority must still follow other rules, such as administrative law and its own financial rules.

In short: the minimum value threshold is the door into the Norwegian procurement rules. From 1 July 2026 the door stands at NOK 500,000, and everything below it happens outside the rules.