European Union
Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 regarding public access to European Parliament, Council and Commission documents
Drafted with AI
Drafted with AI from the cited sources under the direction of UnGovr staff. UnGovr holds editorial responsibility for this page. How this site is made
Response Timeline
Working days, counted from registration of the application (Art. 7(1)). One extension of 15 working days in exceptional cases, with advance notice and detailed reasons (Art. 7(3)). Failure to reply in time entitles the applicant to make a confirmatory application (Art. 7(4)); a confirmatory application has its own 15 working days, extendable by 15 (Art. 8).
A right for any citizen of the Union and any natural or legal person residing or having its registered office in a Member State (Art. 2(1)); the institutions may grant access to others on the same conditions (Art. 2(2)).
How to Submit a Request
Accepted Methods
Required Elements
- Description — A description of the document precise enough for the institution to identify it (Art. 6(1)); the institution must ask for clarification and assist if it is not (Art. 6(2))
- Language — Written, in one of the Treaty languages (Art. 6(1)); no reasons need be given
Appeal Process
Confirmatory application
Asks the institution to reconsider; it decides within 15 working days of registration, extendable by 15 (Art. 8).
Complaint to the European Ombudsman
Open after a total or partial refusal of the confirmatory application, or silence (Art. 8).
Court proceedings against the institution
Open after a total or partial refusal of the confirmatory application, or silence (Art. 8).