All information held by state institutions, unless it is designated as an exception by the law, should be freely accessible to the public.
Request
If you ask state institutions for public information which is generally available, you do not need to explain why you need the information. You may request public information from a state institution in any form – orally, in writing or electronically.
Time
If your request for information does not require additional activities from the institution, it should provide the information within 20 working days of the receipt of your complete request. The information may be provided for viewing on site, in written form and where possible, through electronic communication as well. If the authority needs more time to provide the requested information in order to carry out partial access to public information, it may extend the time limit by up to 30 working days.
Fees
In the situation where your request does not require additional activities from the state institution, the information should be provided free of charge. However, the state may require you to cover the fees necessary for providing a transcript, copy or electronic record of the information requested (only material costs). For economic reasons, costs up to 20 euros are not charged.
Refusal
The authority may refuse the applicant's request in whole or in part if it finds that the requested information or document constitutes an exemption under Article 5a or Article 6 of Public Information Access Act.
Exemptions to unrestricted public access
The Public Information Access Act provides for exemptions of public access to information. The access to information may be refused if the request relates to:
- classified information;
- business secrets;
- personal data;
- tax secrets;
- information that could harm implementation of a criminal or a minor offence proceeding, an administrative proceeding or a litigation or quasi-litigation;
- information from an incomplete document, still in the process of being harmonised;
- and in other cases, defined by the law.
Nevertheless, access to the information requested must be granted if the public interest in disclosure outweighs the public interest or the interest of other persons in restricting access to the information requested.
How to complain
Read more about how to complain if you have been denied access to public information.