Open Records Laws › Poland

Poland

Act on Access to Public Information (Ustawa o dostępie do informacji publicznej)

Dz.U. 2001 Nr 112 poz. 1198

RTI Rating: 79 (source)

Response Timeline

Initial Response
14 days
Extension
46 days

Information must be provided without unreasonable delay, no later than 14 calendar days from request submission. If unable to meet this deadline, the entity must notify the requester within 14 days explaining the delay and provide a new deadline not exceeding 2 months (60 days) from the original request date. Effective extension is up to 46 additional days beyond the initial 14.

No residency or citizenship requirement. Article 2 grants access to 'everyone' (każdemu) and explicitly prohibits requiring requesters to demonstrate legal or factual interest.

How to Submit a Request

Accepted Methods

  • portal
  • email
  • mail
  • in_person

Requests may be submitted via the BIP portal (Biuletyn Informacji Publicznej), ePUAP electronic platform, email, mail, or in person. No specific form required.

Required Elements

  • {'note': 'Description of the public information sought.', 'field': 'description'}

Optional Elements

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

Fees

No application fee. Charges only for additional costs of reproduction or format transformation, with advance notification to the requester within 14 days.

Exemptions

  • Classified Information
    State secrets and information classified under the Classified Information Protection Act.
  • Individual Privacy
    Protection of individual privacy, except for persons holding public functions in relation to those functions.
  • Trade Secrets
    Commercial confidential information, except when public officials waive this right or it relates to public functions.
  • Restructuring Proceedings
    Information subject to forced restructuring proceedings.

Exemptions do not apply when protecting the interest would harm public administration oversight or when information relates to persons holding public functions. Relatively narrow exemption regime compared to many FOI laws.

Appeal Process

1

1

2

2

Appeals go directly to regional administrative courts (no mandatory internal review). Further cassation to the Supreme Administrative Court requires legal representation.

Request Templates

BIP Portal

Records Retention

Retention Law
Ustawa o narodowym zasobie archiwalnym i archiwach
Authority
Naczelna Dyrekcja Archiwów Państwowych (Head Office of State Archives)

Ustawa z dnia 14 lipca 1983 r., Dz.U. 1983 nr 38, poz. 173 (z późn. zm.)

View retention law →

Sources & References