Freedom of information request (wniosek o udostępnienie informacji publicznej)

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A request under Poland's Access to Public Information Act of 6 September 2001, to an office, municipality, school, municipal company or other body performing public tasks: the information sought, the form and way it should be provided, and a reminder of the 14-day deadline and that no legal or factual interest need be shown. No answer in time opens the way to a complaint about inaction to the regional administrative court.

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Common questions

How quickly must a Polish body answer a request for public information?

Without undue delay, within 14 days of the request at most (art. 13(1) of the Access to Public Information Act). If that is not possible, the body must, within that time, give the reason for the delay and a new date no later than 2 months (art. 13(2)). Refusing to provide information requires an administrative decision, which can be appealed or reconsidered.

What if the office does not answer a request for public information?

A complaint about inaction can be filed with the regional administrative court, through the body that failed to answer. No prior reminder (ponaglenie) is needed, as the Access to Public Information Act does not provide for one, and the complaint can be filed at any time while the inaction lasts. The court can order the body to deal with the request by a set date and fine it.

Does a request for public information need a reason or personal details?

There is no need to explain why the information is wanted — the requester may not be asked to show a legal or factual interest (art. 2(2) of the Access to Public Information Act). An address or email is still worth giving, since the answer and any refusal decision go there. The exception is processed information that needs analysis or compilation: it is provided where it is particularly important to the public interest (art. 3(1)(1)).