Open Records Laws › Czech Republic

Czech Republic

Act on Free Access to Information (Zákon o svobodném přístupu k informacím)

106/1999 Sb.

RTI Rating: 71 (source)

Response Timeline

Initial Response
15 days
Extension
10 days

Standard deadline is 15 calendar days from receipt of request. May be extended by up to 10 days for serious reasons: searching separate offices, collecting large volumes of information, consulting other authorities, or protecting third-party rights. Maximum total: 25 calendar days. Authorities must notify requesters of extensions.

No residency or citizenship requirement. Any natural or legal person can request information, regardless of nationality or location.

How to Submit a Request

Accepted Methods

  • portal
  • email
  • mail
  • in_person

Requests may be submitted orally (in person or by phone) or in writing (mail or electronic submission through the authority's designated electronic mailroom). Written requests must identify the authority, include requester's name and contact address, and clearly indicate the information sought.

Required Elements

  • {'note': 'Identification of the authority from which information is requested.', 'field': 'authority'}
  • {'note': "Requester's name and contact address (mailing or email).", 'field': 'name'}
  • {'note': 'Clear description of the information sought.', 'field': 'description'}

Optional Elements

  • {'note': 'Preferred format or method for receiving information', 'field': 'preferred_format'}

Fees

No application fee. Fees may apply for material costs and searches exceeding 4 hours. Fees must be announced in writing with detailed calculation before providing information. Requesters have 60 days to pay before request is dismissed.

Information provided free if search takes less than 4 hours.

Exemptions

  • Classified Information
    Classified information and state security matters.
  • Business Secrets
    Business secrets, with exceptions for public spending information.
  • Personal Data
    Personal data protected by privacy laws.
  • Court and Investigative Proceedings
    Court proceedings and investigative materials.
  • Financial System Stability
    Information affecting financial system stability.
  • Copyrighted Materials
    Copyrighted materials held by broadcasters, schools, and cultural institutions.
  • Critical Infrastructure
    Critical infrastructure protection information.
  • Supervisory Confidentiality
    Information obtained during control/supervisory activities with confidentiality obligations.

Business secrets exception does not apply to information about public spending. Partial disclosure is available.

Appeal Process

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Multi-tier system: superior authority review (15 days), Data Protection Office oversight, then judicial review through regional administrative courts and Supreme Administrative Court.

Request Templates

Portal.gov.cz

Records Retention

Retention Law
Zákon o archivnictví a spisové službě (Act on Archiving and Records Management)
Authority
Národní archiv (National Archives of the Czech Republic)

Zákon č. 499/2004 Sb., ze dne 30. června 2004

View retention law →

Sources & References