Concession Contract
As Gaeilge: Conradh Lamháltais
Also known as: Public Concession, Concession Agreement, SI 286/2016
Last reviewed April 2026
A contract where the supplier earns its return mainly from exploiting the works or services (e.g. tolls, user fees), bearing operational risk.
Governed by Directive 2014/23/EU, transposed into Irish law as S.I. 286/2016. A concession differs from a standard public contract because the concessionaire's remuneration comes mainly from the right to exploit the works or services (toll roads, leisure facilities, car parks, waste collection), not a fixed price from the authority. The concessionaire must bear genuine operational risk. EU rules apply above a threshold of €5,404,000 (2026–2027 cycle, effective 1 January 2026 per Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/2151). Used in Ireland for PPP infrastructure (toll motorways) and certain local authority service concessions. Last verified: 2026-05-05.
Recent tenders mentioning Concession Contract
Related terms
EU Procurement Directives
The EU rules governing public procurement above threshold values, transposed into Irish law as S.I. 284/2016.
Utilities Directive
The separate EU procurement regime for utilities sectors (water, energy, transport, postal), with higher thresholds and more flexible procedures.
Threshold
The value above which specific procurement rules apply — €50k national, €140k/€216k EU services, €5.404M EU works (2026–2027 cycle, effective 1 January 2026).