Serbia has awarded approximately €6.5 billion in public procurement contracts in 2026, with 57% (€3.7 billion) falling outside the ordinary Public Procurement Law. More than 400,000 contracts have been concluded by public institutions, state-owned enterprises, municipalities and other contracting authorities, according to reported procurement data.
Around €2.8 billion in contracts remained within the standard framework. The figures cover works, supplies and services and do not represent actual infrastructure expenditure, as projects may be implemented and paid for over several financial years.
Procurement Exemptions and Competition
Transparency Serbia has criticised the use of intergovernmental agreements and special legislation in public contracting. The European Commission’s 2025 assessment also raised concerns about arrangements linked to EXPO Belgrade 2027 and certain energy investments, questioning their compatibility with EU principles of competition, equal treatment and transparency.
Competition in standard tenders remains limited. According to research presented by NALED, procedures attracted an average of 2.5 bids in 2025. The proportion receiving only one bid fell from 50.75% in 2024 to 47.05% in 2025, leaving almost half without competing offers.
Infrastructure Costs and Financing Risks
Complex projects involving roads, railways, electricity and municipal infrastructure can face design changes, delays, additional works and contractual disputes. Comprehensive technical documentation, independent supervision and transparent payment certification can help control costs and verify completed works.
Procurement arrangements also affect bank financing, working capital, bank guarantees and performance bonds. International lenders may require additional legal and technical assurances when projects use exceptional contracting procedures.
Domestic Industry and EU Accession Reform
Public contracts create demand for steel structures, cables, transformers, control systems, construction materials and engineering services, offering opportunities for Serbian manufacturers and specialist suppliers. Predictable project pipelines and transparent qualification rules can help domestic companies plan investment and compete for contracts. The plan aims to advance compliance with EU accession Chapter 5, although Transparency Serbia has raised concerns about exemptions and gaps in performance targets and financing arrangements.
The reported €3.7 billion in exempt contracts does not establish that rules were broken. It highlights the scale of contracting outside the ordinary framework, making transparency, competitive pricing, technical oversight and efficient delivery central issues for Serbia’s infrastructure investment programme.
