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Step-by-step guide

How to request public information from a Bulgarian institution

Every state and municipal body in Bulgaria must answer a written request for public information within 14 days. Here is what to write, where to file it, and what to do if they stay silent.

Not yet verified6 steps
Legal
Bulgaria
Who needs this
Anyone — residents, journalists, companies and NGOs. Bulgarian citizenship is not required, and you do not have to justify the request.
How long it takes
14 days to respond, extendable
What it costs
Filing the request is free. You only pay the cost of copies, if you asked for them, at a tariff set by the Ministry of Finance.
The right of access to public information comes from the Access to Public Information Act (ЗДОИ). It covers information created or held by state bodies, municipalities, and organisations funded from public money. You do not have to explain why you want the information — the institution is not allowed to ask. You only need to describe what you are looking for clearly enough that it can be found.

What you need to do

  1. 1

    Check whether it is already published

    Action

    Many institutions publish registers, reports and contracts under an "Access to information" section on their own website. Finding it there saves you the 14-day wait.

  2. 2

    Work out which institution holds it

    Action

    File with the body that actually holds the information, not the ministry above it. A misdirected request must be forwarded within 14 days, but that delays your answer.

  3. 3

    Fill in the request

    Document

    The request must carry your name, a correspondence address, a description of the information, and your preferred form of delivery. Without those it can be set aside without consideration.

    Document for this step

    Заявление за достъп до обществена информация (ЗДОИ)

    Get this form · €1.00
  4. 4

    File it

    On the agency site

    Three routes: in person at the registry office against a stamped reference number, by registered post, or electronically. Filing online usually requires the document to carry a qualified electronic signature.

    This step needs a qualified electronic signature

    The submission has to be signed electronically, so it cannot be completed with a downloaded PDF. Follow the instructions above using your QES provider.

    Bulgarian e-government portal
  5. 5

    Wait for the answer — 14 days

    Waiting period

    The clock starts the day after filing. The institution may extend it where the volume is large or a third party is affected, but it must notify you of the extension in writing.

  6. 6

    If they refuse or stay silent

    Action

    Silence past the deadline counts as a tacit refusal and is appealable to the administrative court, as is an explicit refusal. Keep your reference number or postal receipt — it proves when you filed.

Documents used in this guide

Common questions

Do I have to say why I want the information?
No. The institution may not ask for your reasons and cannot refuse on the grounds that you did not explain what you need it for.
What does it cost?
Filing is free. You pay only for copies, if you asked for them, at a tariff set by the Ministry of Finance. Viewing the material on site or taking an oral reference costs nothing.
What if they miss the deadline?
Silence once the deadline passes counts as a tacit refusal. You can appeal it to the administrative court without waiting any longer.
Can I file by email?
Yes, though most institutions require an electronically filed request to carry a qualified electronic signature. Without one, filing in person or by registered post is safer.
Can they refuse?
They can, where the information is classified, is a trade secret, touches personal data, or is a preparatory document with no standalone significance. A refusal must be written, reasoned, and is appealable.

Agencies change forms and fees without notice. If something here no longer matches, tell us.