Request for access to public documents (Greece)

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The request by which anyone asks a Greek public service, municipality or public-law body to inspect or receive copies of specific documents. Since 1 January 2025, art. 5 of the Greek Code of Administrative Procedure, as replaced by art. 59 of Law 5143/2024, gives this right to every person with no interest to show, and the service answers within 20 days. The request names documents rather than asking questions, because a manifestly vague request needs no answer.

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Common questions

Who can ask a Greek public service for its documents since 2025, and how fast must it answer?

Any person, with no legal interest to prove: art. 5 of the Greek Code of Administrative Procedure, as replaced by art. 59 of Law 5143/2024 and in force since 1 January 2025, says so. The request may be on paper or electronic, access is as a rule free of charge, and within 20 days the service either grants access or refuses with reasons.

Why does a Greek access request name documents instead of asking for information?

Because the Greek right covers documents that already exist, not answers to questions, and a manifestly vague or repeated request need not be answered, while an anonymous one is answered at the service's discretion. Describe each document as precisely as possible — type, registration number, date, issuing office — and ask for copies or inspection. For a question, the right route is an ordinary request, which the service deals with within 50 days (art. 4 of the Code).

What can be done if a Greek public service does not answer within 20 days, or refuses without reasons?

A complaint can go to the Greek Ombudsman, which examines maladministration and delays by public services free of charge. A refusal or a failure to answer can also be challenged in the administrative courts; for the time limits there, a lawyer is needed. Keep the request's registration number, which proves when the time began to run.