How do I request documents or information from a public body?
Every EU country has an access-to-information law: you can ask any public body for documents, without giving a reason, and they must answer within a legal deadline (often 15–30 days) — either with the documents or with a reasoned refusal citing an exception (privacy, security, ongoing decisions). Send the request to the body; if refused or ignored, Datenschutzbehörde — Informationsfreiheit (volksanwaltschaft.gv.at) — the information commissioner or ombudsman for Austria — reviews it; Volksanwaltschaft (0800 223 223) handles the procedural complaint; Landesverwaltungsgericht / Bundesverwaltungsgericht (bvwg.gv.at) is the court. Documents about you are also a data-protection right (GDPR access), which has no exceptions for "internal" notes.
🗣️ What to say
"Under [access-to-information law] I request copies of [documents: description, period, subject], including [emails, reports, contracts]. Please provide them in electronic form within the legal deadline. If you refuse any part, please state the exception and the reasoning, and tell me how to appeal."
🪜 Step by step
- Describe, do not justifyWhat documents, which period, which department. No reason is needed; a clear description is.
- Send it in writingEmail to the body's official address or the online portal. Note the date — the deadline runs from receipt.
- Deadline passesA reminder citing the law; then a complaint to Datenschutzbehörde — Informationsfreiheit for silence.
- RefusedRead the exception. Partial disclosure with redactions is the norm; a blanket refusal is reviewable at Datenschutzbehörde — Informationsfreiheit.
- Documents about youUse both routes: access to information and GDPR access. The GDPR route reaches personal notes and assessments.
📇 All contacts
❓ Frequently asked
Can they charge me?
Copying costs at most; many countries provide electronic copies free. Excessive fees are appealable.
They say the documents do not exist
Ask how they searched; Datenschutzbehörde — Informationsfreiheit can check. Emails and messages are documents too.
Can I ask a private company?
Only if it performs a public task or is publicly owned; otherwise, GDPR access for your own data.
📎 Sources
- Datenschutzbehörde — Informationsfreiheit →
- Volksanwaltschaft →
- Landesverwaltungsgericht / Bundesverwaltungsgericht →
- Bezirksgericht — Amtstag / Verfahrenshilfe →
🔎 Common searches
Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.
- “freedom of information request Austria”
- “access to documents public body”
- “foi request refused appeal”
- “information commissioner Austria”
- “request my file from authority”
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