Response Timeline
Decisions must be made within 4 weeks (28 calendar days), extendable by a maximum of 2 weeks (14 days) for large or complex requests. If a third party is consulted, the deadline is suspended until 2 weeks after their response. Replaced the Wet openbaarheid van bestuur (Wob, 1978) on 1 May 2022.
No residency or citizenship requirement. The law grants access to 'anyone' without qualification.
How to Submit a Request
Accepted Methods
All government organisations must appoint contact persons for Woo questions. Requests must specify as precisely as possible what information is sought, concern documented information, and relate to government policy or its preparation/implementation.
Required Elements
- {'note': 'Must specify as precisely as possible what information is sought and relate to a public-law matter.', 'field': 'description'}
Optional Elements
- {'note': 'Preferred format for receiving documents', 'field': 'preferred_format'}
Fees
| Fee Type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Copies (per page) | EUR0.05 | Paper copies at maximum tariffs: A4 B&W €0.05, A4 colour €0.20. Electronic copies always free. |
No application fee. Electronic documents are always provided free of charge. Paper copies charged at maximum tariffs: A4 B&W €0.05/page, A4 colour €0.20/page. Postage cannot be charged. Non-standard formats at actual cost.
No formal fee waiver system; the baseline is already generous with free electronic copies.
Exemptions
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Unity of the CrownProtection of the unity of the Crown.
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State SecurityInformation concerning the security of the state.
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Confidential Business InformationInformation from companies/manufacturing processes provided in confidence.
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Criminal InvestigationsInvestigation and prosecution of criminal offenses.
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InspectionsInspections, controls, and oversight by public authorities.
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Personal PrivacyProtection of personal privacy (balancing test required).
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Disproportionate Advantage/DisadvantagePrevention of disproportionate advantage or disadvantage to persons (balancing test).
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International RelationsInternational relations of the Netherlands (if public interest doesn't outweigh).
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Economic/Financial Interest of StateEconomic or financial interest of the state (balancing test required).
The Woo distinguishes between absolute exemptions (mandatory, no balancing test) and relative exemptions (require weighing against public interest in disclosure). Partial disclosure is required — only exempt portions may be withheld.
Appeal Process
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Three-tier system: objection to the same body, appeal to administrative court, then higher courts. If a third party objects to disclosure, information is withheld for 2 weeks to allow them to seek preliminary relief.
Request Templates
Woo Request via Government Portal
Records Retention
Archiefwet 1995 (Stb. 1995, 276)
Records selected for permanent preservation are transferred to the National Archives or a regional archive service after a maximum of 20 years. The Archiefwet 2021 proposal would reduce this to 10 years to reflect digital government.