Open Records Laws › Albania

Albania

Law No. 119/2014 on the Right to Information

Law No. 119/2014 on the Right to Information (Ligji per te Drejten e Informimit)

RTI Rating: 127 (source)

Response Timeline

Initial Response
10 days
Extension
5 days
Residency Required
None

10 working days from submission. Extension of up to 5 working days permitted with notification. If transferred to another authority, 15 working days from original submission. Classification review may extend to 30 working days.

How to Submit a Request

Accepted Methods

  • {'notes': 'Delivered by hand to public authority', 'method': 'in_person'}
  • {'notes': 'Mail delivery to public authority', 'method': 'mail'}
  • {'notes': 'Electronic submission to public authority', 'method': 'email'}

Requests must be in writing with correct identity and signature of applicant. Recorded in Register of Requests and Responses. Authority must contact applicant within 48 hours if clarification needed.

Required Elements

  • Applicant full name and surname
  • Postal or electronic address for receiving information
  • Clear description of requested information
  • Applicant signature

Optional Elements

  • Preferred format for receiving documents
  • Additional identifying data to help locate information

Fees

Fees limited to actual reproduction and delivery costs. Information requested electronically is free. Public authorities must calculate and notify applicants of fees upfront.

Fee Waivers

  • Citizens registered with social assistance schemes -- free up to a certain number of pages
  • Persons eligible under Law No. 10039 on Legal Aid -- free up to a certain number of pages

Minister of Justice and Minister of Finance determine by joint decision the specific number of free pages for eligible individuals.

Exemptions

  • State Secrets
    Documents classified as state secret under Law No. 8457. Classification review initiated when requested.
  • Intellectual Property and Trade Secrets
    Data qualified as intellectual property and/or trade secrets
  • Personal Data
    Personal data processed for protection of constitutional institutions, national security, foreign policy, or criminal prosecution
  • Professional Secrecy
    Information whose dissemination would violate professional secrecy guaranteed by law
  • National Security and International Relations
    Information that may harm national security or international/intergovernmental relations

All exemptions subject to three-part harm test: (1) necessity, (2) proportionality, (3) disclosure must cause "clear and serious harm." PUBLIC INTEREST OVERRIDE applies to ALL exemption categories. Partial disclosure required: if restriction affects only part of requested information, the rest must be provided. State secret classification can be reviewed upon request.

Appeal Process

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Three-tier appeal: (1) Commissioner within 30 working days (decides in 15); (2) Administrative Courts; (3) Supreme Court. Both requesters and public authorities may appeal. Requesters entitled to seek reparation for damages caused by infringement.

Request Templates

Commissioner Complaint Form (Albanian)

Sources & References