Public contracts - Spain

Updated 02/2011

Legal requirements

Spain has transposed the European Directive on public procurement. The new law contains some important innovations, such as the requirement to create a ‘buyer profile’, use the Internet throughout the procedure, and take account of social and environmental criteria when awarding contracts.

Procurement rules

Types of public contract

In Spain there are two types of government contract: works, public works concession, management of public services, supplies and services.

In Spain, natural or legal persons, whether Spanish or foreign, who have full capacity to act and have proven their economic, financial and technical or professional capacity are allowed to enter into contracts with public authorities.

Any non-Spanish businesses from EU Member States must prove that they are registered in a professional or trade register, if this is required by the legislation of the respective Member State.

National public procurement authorities

The public authorities responsible for procurement are as follows:

Central government
Autonomous Communities
Local authorities

Independent agencies and other public bodies with their own legal personality, which are linked or answerable to any of the public authorities and which meet certain requirements.

More information on public procurement and access to online services are available through the following links:

European Union and Public Procurement
European Union and Public Procurement: Activities
European Union and Public Procurement: SME Portal
National Procurement Platform
Public procurement

Administrative procedures

Submitting tenders

The National Procurement Platform brings together all public procurement organised by the State and allows businesses to submit their tenders online.

National Procurement Platform
Catalogue of State-Owned Assets
Information on the Law on public sector contracts

Check also the legislation on this topic in:

Public contracts - Spain