Open Records Laws › Italy

Italy

Accesso Civico Generalizzato (Generalized Civic Access)

D.Lgs. 33/2013, Art. 5(2) & Art. 5-bis (as amended by D.Lgs. 97/2016)

RTI Rating: 85 (source)

Response Timeline

Initial Response
30 days
Extension
10 days
Residency Required
False

30 calendar days from submission (Art. 5(6)). Clock suspended up to 10 days for third-party notification (Art. 5(5)). Non-response is silenzio-inadempimento (non-compliance silence), triggering right to internal review or judicial remedy.

No residency or citizenship requirement. Anyone (chiunque) may request regardless of citizenship or legal status. No motivation required (Art. 5(2)).

How to Submit a Request

Accepted Methods

  • {'method': 'PEC (Certified Email)', 'details': 'Posta Elettronica Certificata to the relevant office. Most common electronic method.'}
  • {'method': 'Email', 'details': 'Regular email to the office holding the data, URP, or designated office.'}
  • {'method': 'Online Form', 'details': 'Many administrations provide forms on their Amministrazione Trasparente website section.'}
  • {'method': 'In Person', 'details': 'At the office holding the data, the Ufficio Relazioni con il Pubblico (URP), or other designated office.'}
  • {'method': 'Mail', 'details': 'Postal mail to any of the above offices.'}

Fees

Exemptions

  • Public Safety
    Public safety and public order (Art. 5-bis(1)(a))
  • National Security
    National security (Art. 5-bis(1)(b))
  • Defense
    Defence and military matters (Art. 5-bis(1)(c))
  • Foreign Relations
    International relations (Art. 5-bis(1)(d))
  • Economic Policy
    Financial and economic policy and stability of the State (Art. 5-bis(1)(e))
  • Law Enforcement
    Criminal investigations and prosecution (Art. 5-bis(1)(f))
  • Administrative Functions
    Inspection activities (Art. 5-bis(1)(g))
  • Personal Data
    Personal data protection (Art. 5-bis(2)(a))
  • Correspondence
    Freedom and confidentiality of correspondence (Art. 5-bis(2)(b))
  • Commercial Interests
    Economic and commercial interests, including IP and trade secrets (Art. 5-bis(2)(c))
  • State Secrets
    State secrets (segreto di Stato) (Art. 5-bis(3))
  • Statutory Prohibitions
    Other statutory prohibitions on access or disclosure (Art. 5-bis(3))

Appeal Process

1

Step 1

Review by the Responsabile della Prevenzione della Corruzione e della Trasparenza (RPCT) of the same administration (Art. 5(7)). For local/regional entities, the Difensore Civico (Civic Ombudsman) may also review (Art. 5(8)).

2

Step 2

Expedited procedure before the Tribunale Amministrativo Regionale under Art. 116 of the Administrative Process Code. Filed within 30 days of denial.

3

Step 3

Appeal of TAR decisions to the highest administrative court.

Request Templates

Standard Request (Richiesta di accesso civico generalizzato)

Ai sensi dell'articolo 5, comma 2, del decreto legislativo 14 marzo 2013, n. 33, chiedo di accedere ai seguenti dati/documenti/informazioni: [DESCRIZIONE]. Formato preferito: [FORMATO]. Recapito per la risposta: [NOME, INDIRIZZO, EMAIL/PEC].

Records Retention

Retention Law
Codice dei beni culturali e del paesaggio (D.Lgs. 42/2004), Parte II – Beni culturali, Titolo II: I beni archivistici
Authority
Direzione Generale Archivi — Ministero della Cultura

Decreto Legislativo 22 gennaio 2004, n. 42 (G.U. n. 45 del 24.2.2004, S.O. n. 28)

View retention law →

Sources & References