Public procurement accounts for a significant portion of the German and the European economies. While these contracts provide substantial revenue opportunities, they are subject to a unique set of laws and regulations that create potential risks for contractors. This legal framework constantly changes as a result of new legislation and decisions from courts and other judicial bodies.

The Dentons Public Procurement team offers legal advice to all players in the government contracts market. We assist clients in all industry sectors to identify and manage risk throughout the procurement lifecycle. This includes not only assistance with contract pursuit and negotiation, but also administration of government contracts, including change procedures and compliance issues. In the case of a dispute, we represent our clients before administrative review bodies and in court. Our practice also includes assisting government entities with structuring and implementing public procurements.

For more than 15 years, our public procurement professionals in Germany have assisted clients in all stages of bidding for and performing government contracts. Our experience covers all major markets, including infrastructure, IT, transport and logistics, defense and security, healthcare and public services. We know the “tricks” and pitfalls of procurement law in Germany, helping our clients manage procedural and contractual risks. We regularly represent and defend our clients in bid challenges before public procurement review bodies and in court, including the European Court of Justice.

On the government side, we assist federal, state and local authorities as well as public utilities in structuring and implementing procurement procedures. We assist contracting authorities throughout the entire transaction, from the planning stage to final award. Our focus is on ensuring efficient procedures while minimizing legal risk.

Our lawyers have worked on numerous large infrastructure projects and have been involved in high profile PPPs since the inception of the 3P market in Germany. Our team offers creative, one-stop-shopping solutions for complex projects, covering all aspects of corporate, employment, tax, regulatory and state aid law. In cross-border cases, our European and worldwide practice allows us to set up integrated teams with procurement experts from all relevant jurisdictions.

Our specific areas of expertise include:

• Strategic advice for bidders in tender procedures
• Contract negotiations with government bodies 
• Assistance for bidders in all procedural issues
• Structuring and implementation of public procurement procedures 
• Public contract schemes not subject to formal public procurement rules
• Concession award procedures
• Public private partnerships
• Bid challenge litigation 
• Compliance and debarment procedures

We focus on your business goals and develop custom-tailored, creative and practical solutions for complex problems. This includes working in integrated teams, offering comprehensive advice covering all aspects of the project, to ensure success in the procurement process. 

Recognition

Chambers Germany 2025: Dentons consolidates its ranking position

February 20, 2025

The inaugural edition of the Chambers Germany guide has recognized 14 Dentons lawyers as leaders in their respective fields. Additionally, Dentons’ teams across Germany received practice and sector rankings in nine areas.

Insights

How to deal with foreign subsidies in the EU: a guide to the new implementing regulation

July 21, 2023

EU: On 10 July 2023, the European Commission published the final rules for implementing the Foreign Subsidies Regulation EU 2022/256. The FSR empowers the EC to investigate and, if necessary, remedy the distortive effects of financial contributions granted by third countries to companies operating in the European Union single market. It entered into force on 12 January 2023 and took effect on 12 July 2023. The implementing regulation follows a public consultation and a stakeholder dialogue that took place after the publication of the draft Implementing Regulation in February 2023. What is new in the final version of the IR and what are the key updates?

Foreign subsidies notification procedure clarified and eased under Commission’s draft new rules?

February 10, 2023

EU: On 6 February 2023, the European Commission presented the draft implementing regulation with two draft notification forms for the Regulation on Foreign Subsidies Distorting the Internal Market (FSR). The drafts introduce some important clarifications to the new set of tools that entered into force on 12 January 2023 and will apply across the European Union as of 12 July 2023. 

Alternative Proteins Regulatory Tracker

January 23, 2023

Europe: The Alternative Proteins Regulatory Tracker was created to provide an overview of global regulatory regimes for this emerging sector. At its launch in January 2023, the tracker already covers 10 jurisdictions, including the EU and its 27 member states. More jurisdictions will follow.

View all insights for Public Procurement in Germany

News and Events

Recent Press Releases

Chambers Germany 2025: Dentons consolidates its ranking position

February 20, 2025

The inaugural edition of the Chambers Germany guide has recognized 14 Dentons lawyers as leaders in their respective fields. Additionally, Dentons’ teams across Germany received practice and sector rankings in nine areas.

Dentons advises IGP medical on the acquisition out of insolvency of Klinikum Bad Bramstedt

October 16, 2024

Global law firm Dentons has advised IGP medical GmbH on the acquisition of the Klinikum Bad Bramstedt hospital from insolvency.

Dentons advises BEOS on the sale of building sites of the FRANKFURT WESTSIDE neighborhood development to CyrusOne

September 21, 2023

Germany: Global law firm Dentons has advised BEOS AG, part of Swiss Life Asset Managers, on the sale of two building sites of the FRANKFURT WESTSIDE neighborhood development with a total area of approximately 63,000 square meters. The buyer of the partial building rights for the two areas is the global data center operator CyrusOne.

View all press releases for Public Procurement in Germany