Shrnutí: You may request information from the agency under the Freedom of Information Act in writing, electronically, or orally. However, written requests must comply with the legal requirements and correctly identify the obligated entity. The agency generally has 15 days to provide the information and may extend this deadline by up to an additional 10 days for serious reasons. In this article, we explain the procedure in effect in 2026 and how to appeal a denial or inaction by the agency.
Do you want to verify whether the mayor is telling you the truth? In our guide, you’ll learn what rights you have and how to file an official request for information.
Are you unsure whether you are entitled to the requested information or how to draft the request? Our attorneys will assess which authority to contact with your request, draft the request, and advise you even if the authority refuses to provide the information.
The law does not require any specific form for submitting a request for information.
Anyone can submit a request in any form, including a simple email without an electronic signature. It is precisely in the simplicity of this rule that the magic of free access to information lies.
A written request must clearly indicate the obligated entity to which it is addressed and state that you are requesting information under the Freedom of Information Act. An individual must provide their first name, last name, date of birth, and address; a legal entity must provide its name, identification number, and registered office address. If the mailing address is different, it must also be provided; this may include an email address.
The more precisely you describe the specific information you are requesting, the lower the risk that the authority will ask you to clarify your request.
Here is a template you can use when submitting your request:
[Name of the obligated entity]
[Address of the obligated entity]
Subject: Request for Information Pursuant to Act No. 106/1999 Coll., on Free Access to Information, as amended
Dear Sir or Madam, pursuant to Act No. 106/1999 Coll., on Free Access to Information, I hereby request the following information: [.]
Please provide the information in electronic form, including metadata.
Thank you
In [.] on [.]
APPLICANT (INDIVIDUAL):
APPLICANT—LEGAL ENTITY:
If you are submitting the request electronically via email, send it to the electronic address of the obligated entity’s mailroom. If the obligated entity has not published the address of its electronic mailroom, it is sufficient to send it to another of its email addresses. The law does not require a recognized electronic signature for a standard email request.
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Direct your request to the so-called “obligated entity” that has the requested information within its jurisdiction. This doesn’t have to be a traditional government agency—don’t hesitate to seek information from non-governmental institutions as well. You can also inquire with certain private companies under government influence.
The entities obligated to “disclose” information are
The broadest category is “public institution.” The courts have greatly expanded the scope of this term through their interpretation. This category thus includes, for example, the General Health Insurance Company, the state-owned enterprise Prague Airport, and the national enterprise Budějovický Budvar.
The obligation to provide information may also apply to certain legal entities controlled by the public sector. The law specifically regulates so-called public enterprises, for which, in addition to the dominant influence of the state or another obligated entity, the nature of the activities carried out is also taken into account. Therefore, in the case of commercial companies, it cannot be automatically inferred from the state’s or municipality’s equity interest alone that they must provide all requested information.
It is therefore important to correctly identify the obligated entity. If the requested information does not fall within its jurisdiction, the entity will set the request aside and must notify you of this fact, providing a justification, within 7 days of receiving the request.
The basic deadline for the authority to provide information is 15 days from the date the request is received, or from the date it is supplemented or clarified. The obligated entity may extend this deadline for serious legal reasons, but by no more than an additional 10 days.
An extension may be granted, for example, when it is necessary to search for a large amount of diverse information, obtain supporting documents from another office, or consult with another obligated entity regarding the matter. The obligated entity must provide you with verifiable notice of the extension and its reason before the original deadline expires.
The provision of information is not always free of charge. The obligated entity may request reimbursement of actual costs associated with, for example, making copies, providing a data storage medium, sending the information, or conducting an exceptionally extensive search. However, the obligated entity must notify you in writing of the amount of the fee before providing the information and explain how it was calculated. You may file a complaint against an unreasonably high fee.
The Freedom of Information Act does not mean that a government agency must disclose absolutely everything. The law may restrict the disclosure of information, for example, due to:
In general, the obligated entity is also not required to respond to inquiries seeking its opinion, future decisions, or the creation of entirely new information. However, if part of a document can be disclosed and only certain data is protected, the protection should be applied only to the extent necessary.
The next steps depend on how the obligated entity handled your request. If it issued a decision rejecting the request in whole or in part, you may file an appeal against that decision. The appeal is then decided by a higher-level authority.
A different situation arises if the authority fails to respond within the prescribed time limit, provides only part of the information without a decision on the remainder of the request, or if you disagree with the requested fee. In these cases, you should file a complaint regarding the handling of the request. The complaint is filed with the obligated entity, and the law generally sets a 30-day deadline for filing it.
In practice: A common mistake is to automatically file an appeal every time an agency fails to provide information. However, if the authority has not issued a decision at all and has merely allowed the deadline to expire, the appropriate remedy is typically a complaint regarding the procedure for handling the request. Distinguishing between these two situations is important because they involve two different procedural processes.
If a decision by a higher-level authority also fails to remedy the situation, an administrative lawsuit may follow. The administrative court will review whether the grounds for refusing to provide the information were actually valid, and if they were not, it may order the obligated entity to provide the information.
Has the agency rejected your request, failed to respond, or demanded a high fee from you? We will review its actions, prepare an appeal or complaint, and, if necessary, represent you before the administrative court.
The Freedom of Information Act allows both individuals and legal entities to obtain information from state authorities, municipalities, regions, public institutions, and other entities defined by law. Requests may also be submitted electronically, and no specific form is required; however, a written request must contain the information specified by law and must clearly state what information you are requesting and under which law. The obligated entity generally has 15 days to respond and may extend this deadline by up to 10 days for serious reasons. The entity may refuse to provide certain information or charge a fee for its disclosure. An appeal may be filed against a decision to refuse a request, while a complaint regarding the handling of the request is the primary recourse against inaction, an incomplete response, or the amount of the fee.
No. The law generally does not require you to justify your interest in obtaining the information. What matters is whether the requested information falls within the scope of the obligated entity and whether its disclosure is not barred by a statutory exception.
With regard to information that has already been made public, the law allows, under certain conditions, for the applicant to be referred to a source where the information can be obtained. However, if the applicant insists on receiving the information directly, the law sets forth the next steps.
It depends on their content. The mere fact that they are internal communications does not automatically mean that the agency will never disclose them. The content of the information and the specific legal grounds for any restriction are evaluated.
Yes. The age of the information, in and of itself, is generally not a reason for refusal, provided that the obligated entity still possesses it and there is no other legal reason for withholding it.
As a general rule, you do not need to know the specific department or employee. Address your request to the obligated entity as a whole, ideally through its reception desk.
The scope of the request alone is not automatically grounds for denial. However, an exceptionally extensive search may result in a request for reimbursement of costs, and the law also provides for the possibility of denying a request in cases of abuse of the right to information.
Not necessarily. If only certain parts of the document are protected, the obligated entity should, depending on the circumstances, redact the protected information and make the remainder of the document available, rather than automatically refusing to disclose the entire document.
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Ondřej is the attorney who came up with the idea of providing legal services online. He's been earning his living through legal services for more than 15 years. He especially likes to help clients who may have given up hope in solving their legal issues at work, for example with real estate transfers or copyright licenses.
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