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Lithuania

Law on the Right to Obtain Information From State and Municipal Institutions and Agencies

Law on the Right to Obtain Information From State and Municipal Institutions and Agencies, No. VIII-1524

RTI Rating: 64 (source)

Response Timeline

Initial Response
20 days
Extension
20 days
Residency Required
None

20 working days from receipt of request. May be extended by an additional 20 working days if the requested information is considerable or complex, with notification to the applicant. If information is incomplete or inaccurate, institution has 5 working days to request revision.

How to Submit a Request

Accepted Methods

  • {'notes': 'eCitizen portal at epilietis.lrv.lt', 'method': 'online'}
  • {'notes': 'Electronic submission permitted if applicant can be identified', 'method': 'email'}
  • {'notes': 'Written requests via postal service or courier', 'method': 'mail'}
  • {'notes': 'Direct submission to institution', 'method': 'in_person'}

Requests can be submitted electronically via the eCitizen portal (epilietis.lrv.lt) or by mail/courier. If submitting documents in languages other than English, German, or Russian, attach Lithuanian translation. Electronic Government Gateway (www.epaslaugos.lt) provides one-stop access to e-services.

Required Elements

  • Type of information or document requested
  • Applicant name and surname (natural persons)
  • Applicant place of residence (natural persons)
  • Contact details
  • Legal entity name, company number, and head office address (legal persons)

Optional Elements

  • Preferred format for information delivery
  • Specific timeframe or date range for records sought
  • Reference to previous correspondence with the institution

Fees

Public information from state and municipal institutions is free of charge. Agencies may charge fees only for services involving retrieval and duplication (copying) of information or documents. Fees may not exceed the actual costs of providing the information (Article 6).

Fee Waivers

  • All information requests to state and municipal institutions are free by default; fees only allowed for retrieval and copying costs

No explicit waiver provisions needed as baseline access is free. Fees restricted to actual cost recovery for retrieval and copying services only.

Exemptions

  • State Secret
    Information defined by law as a state secret (Article 18(1))
  • Official Secret
    Information defined by law as an official secret (Article 18(1))
  • Professional Secret
    Information defined by law as a professional secret (Article 18(1))
  • Commercial Secret
    Information defined by law as a commercial secret (Article 18(1))
  • Bank Secret
    Information defined by law as a bank secret (Article 18(1))
  • Personal Data / Privacy
    Information of private nature protected under personal data laws (Article 18(1))
  • National Security and Defence
    Information that would adversely affect state security and defence interests (Article 18(2))
  • Criminal Prosecution
    Information that would adversely affect criminal prosecution of persons (Article 18(2))
  • Territorial Integrity
    Information that would promote violation of territorial integrity or public order (Article 18(2))
  • Law Enforcement
    Information where refusal would prevent violations of law (Article 18(2))
  • Public Health Protection
    Information where refusal is of utmost importance for protection of human health (Article 18(2))

Article 18 establishes mandatory exemptions with no harm test or public interest override. Exemptions are categorical and mandatory -- if information falls into one of the protected categories (state secret, commercial secret, personal data, etc.), it SHALL NOT be provided. The law provides no mechanism for weighing public interest against the harm of disclosure. Refusals must be communicated in writing with reasons specified (Article 18(3)).

Appeal Process

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Lithuania provides a multi-tier appeals process combining administrative and judicial review. Requesters can pursue internal review, file complaints with the Seimas Ombudsman (within 1 year), and seek judicial review through the Regional Administrative Court system. Government bears the burden of proof in court.

Records Retention

Retention Law
Dokumentų ir archyvų įstatymas (Law on Documents and Archives)
Authority
Lietuvos vyriausiojo archyvaro tarnyba (Office of the Chief Archivist of Lithuania)

Lietuvos Respublikos dokumentų ir archyvų įstatymas (2004 m. kovo 30 d. Nr. IX-2084)

View retention law →

Sources & References