The direct award limits in 2026
From 1 January 2026, excluding VAT:
| Act | Goods, services and works | Social and other specific services |
|---|---|---|
| LOU | SEK 700,000 | SEK 8,513,250 |
| LUF | SEK 1,200,000 | SEK 11,351,000 |
| LUFS | SEK 1,200,000 | SEK 1,200,000 |
| LUK (concessions) | SEK 3,067,040 | SEK 3,067,040 |
The LOU limit for goods, services and works has been SEK 700,000 since 1 February 2022 and is unchanged in 2026. Only the limits for social services and concessions, which follow the EU thresholds, changed at the start of the year.
How the value is counted
The buyer must add up all purchases of the same kind during the financial year, and count the whole contract including options and extensions. Splitting a purchase to stay under the limit is not allowed.
Rules that still apply
- The buyer must have guidelines for direct awards, which often require asking several suppliers above a certain amount.
- Above SEK 100,000 the buyer must document the reasons for its decisions.
- The basic principles of LOU apply: suppliers must be treated equally.
- Direct awards are also allowed above the limit in exceptional cases, such as extreme urgency the buyer could not foresee, or when only one supplier can do the work.
There is no standstill period for a direct award, so it can rarely be appealed before the contract is signed.
How to win direct awards
- Register in the municipality's supplier register or the direct award module of its procurement system.
- Contact the purchasing department and tell them what you do. Many municipalities also publish larger direct awards on their website.
- See what the buyer has bought before. Our pages on every municipality, region and agency show what they buy and who wins.
- Answer a request for quotation quickly and completely. Short deadlines are common.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the Swedish direct award limit in 2026?
- SEK 700,000 under LOU and SEK 1,200,000 under LUF and LUFS, excluding VAT. For social and other specific services the LOU limit is SEK 8,513,250.
- Does a direct award have to be advertised?
- No, but the buyer must follow its own guidelines, which often require asking several suppliers. Above SEK 100,000 the purchase must be documented.
This guide is a general description, not legal advice. Laws and amounts can change; the Swedish National Agency for Public Procurement (Upphandlingsmyndigheten) has the latest figures.