Information request — Viranomainen → hallinto-oikeus

Direct answer

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, Viranomainen → hallinto-oikeus / oikeusasiamies (julkisuuslaki) (oikeusasiamies.fi) — the information commissioner or ombudsman for Finland — reviews it; Eduskunnan oikeusasiamies (09 4321) handles the procedural complaint; Hallinto-oikeus (oikeus.fi) is the court. Documents about you are also a data-protection right (GDPR access), which has no exceptions for "internal" notes.

Call firstViranomainen → hallinto-oikeus / oikeusasiamies (julkisuuslaki)

Report toEduskunnan oikeusasiamies

If that failsHallinto-oikeus

🗣️ 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 Viranomainen → hallinto-oikeus / oikeusasiamies (julkisuuslaki) for silence.
RefusedRead the exception. Partial disclosure with redactions is the norm; a blanket refusal is reviewable at Viranomainen → hallinto-oikeus / oikeusasiamies (julkisuuslaki).
Documents about youUse both routes: access to information and GDPR access. The GDPR route reaches personal notes and assessments.

📇 All contacts

Viranomainen → hallinto-oikeus / oikeusasiamies (julkisuuslaki)Document requests under the openness act, appeal on refusalWhen a body refuses a document🔗 www.oikeusasiamies.fi

Eduskunnan oikeusasiamiesComplaints about authorities, freeWhen the authority does not answer or acts unfairly📞 09 4321 🔗 www.oikeusasiamies.fi

Hallinto-oikeusAppeals against administrative decisionsWithin 30 days of the decision🔗 oikeus.fi/tuomioistuimet/hallintooikeudet

Tietosuojavaltuutetun toimistoComplaints against companies, supervision, finesWhen the company does not answer within a month or misuses data📞 029 566 6700 🔗 tietosuoja.fi

❓ 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; Viranomainen → hallinto-oikeus / oikeusasiamies (julkisuuslaki) 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

Last checked: 2026-09-26

🔎 Common searches

Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.

“freedom of information request Finland”
“access to documents public body”
“foi request refused appeal”
“information commissioner Finland”
“request my file from authority”

🧭 Is this still correct?

We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.

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📂 How do I request documents or information from a public body?