How to Bid on Public Tenders in Spain: Procurement Law, Rules and Procedures

Spain has one of the largest and most structured public procurement markets in Europe. From infrastructure and renewable energy to healthcare, ICT, and consulting services, Spanish public authorities regularly publish high-value tenders at national, regional, and local levels.

However, Spain’s procurement system is also known for its detailed formal requirements, strict documentation rules, and strong legal oversight. Winning public contracts in Spain requires more than a competitive price. It requires precision, compliance, and procedural discipline.

This guide explains how public procurement works in Spain, including the legal framework, tender procedures, bid submission rules, and common pitfalls for foreign bidders.

Legal Framework for Public Procurement in Spain

Public procurement in Spain is governed primarily by Law 9/2017 on Public Sector Contracts (Ley de Contratos del Sector Público – LCSP). This law transposes EU Directives 2014/24/EU and 2014/25/EU into

Spanish national legislation.

The LCSP applies to:

• Central government authorities

• Autonomous regions and municipalities

• Public agencies and foundations

• State-owned enterprises and utilities

The law is built around core principles that contracting authorities must respect:

• Transparency

• Equal treatment and non-discrimination

• Free competition

• Efficiency and value for money

• Integrity and anti-corruption

Any breach of these principles may lead to appeals, suspension of the procedure, or annulment of the award.

Who Publishes Public Tenders in Spain

Public tenders in Spain are published through the official national platform, Plataforma de Contratación del Sector Público.

For contracts above EU thresholds, notices are also published in TED.

In addition, regional governments (Comunidades Autónomas) may operate supplementary portals, but all tenders must ultimately be accessible through the central system.

Types of Procurement Procedures in Spain

Spanish contracting authorities may use several procurement procedures depending on contract value, complexity, and urgency.

Open Procedure

Any interested supplier may submit a bid. This is the most frequently used method.

Restricted Procedure

Only suppliers invited after a pre-qualification phase may submit full bids.

Negotiated Procedure

Used in specific cases such as technical complexity, urgency, or failed prior procedures.

Competitive Dialogue

Applied to highly complex projects where solutions cannot be defined in advance.

Simplified Open Procedure

Designed for lower-value contracts with reduced administrative requirements.

Each procedure has predefined rules that cannot be modified during the process.

Thresholds and EU Compliance

Spain applies EU financial thresholds for major contracts. When thresholds are exceeded:

• Publication in TED is mandatory

• Longer deadlines apply

• Stricter documentation requirements are enforced

Below-threshold contracts still require transparency and competition, but follow simplified national rules.

Understanding thresholds is essential because procedural obligations increase significantly once they are crossed.

Electronic Procurement and Digital Submission

Spain operates a fully electronic public procurement system.

Key characteristics:

• Tender documents are accessed online

• Clarifications and amendments are published digitally

• Bids must be submitted electronically

• Paper submissions are generally not accepted

Electronic submission platforms strictly enforce deadlines. Late bids are rejected automatically, regardless of the reason.

Language Requirements and Documentation

Most Spanish public tenders require submissions in Spanish. Some regional authorities may accept co-official languages (such as Catalan or Basque), depending on location.

Typical bid documentation includes:

• Administrative declarations and affidavits

• Proof of legal, financial, and technical capacity

• Technical proposal

• Financial offer

• Past performance references

• Tax and social security compliance certificates

Foreign documents often require sworn or certified translations.

Evaluation Criteria and Award Methods

Spanish contracting authorities must define evaluation criteria clearly in advance.

Common criteria include:

• Price

• Technical quality

• Methodology and work plan

• Environmental and social factors

• Innovation and sustainability

Awards are usually based on the best price-quality ratio, not solely on lowest price.

Evaluation results and scoring details are published after the award decision.

Appeals and Remedies

Spain has a strong review system for procurement disputes.

Unsuccessful bidders may:

• Request detailed explanations

• File administrative appeals

• Challenge awards before specialized review bodies

Appeals can suspend the procurement process, which makes procedural accuracy critical for contracting authorities.

Contract Award and Execution

After the award decision:

• A standstill period applies

• Contracts are signed electronically

• Performance guarantees may be required

Once signed, contracts must be executed exactly as awarded. Significant changes may trigger a new procurement procedure.

Common Mistakes Foreign Bidders Make in Spain

• Missing mandatory administrative documents

• Submitting uncertified translations

• Ignoring clarifications or amendments

• Underestimating formal compliance requirements

• Assuming flexibility in deadlines or formats

In Spain, formal correctness is often as important as technical excellence.

How TendersGo Helps You Track Spanish Public Tenders

Navigating Spanish procurement portals manually is time-consuming and risky, especially for international companies.

TendersGo aggregates public tenders from Spain and over 220 countries into a single AI-powered

platform. With TendersGo, you can:

• Search Spanish tenders in English

• Monitor national and regional opportunities

• Receive smart alerts based on your sectors

• Analyze contract awards and competitors

Instead of tracking multiple portals and languages, you manage everything from one interface.

Spain offers one of Europe’s richest public procurement markets, especially in infrastructure, renewable energy, ICT, healthcare, and consulting services.

But success depends on discipline, preparation, and full legal compliance.

In Spanish public procurement, good intentions do not fix missing documents.

And yes, the paperwork is heavy. The contracts are worth it.