Wegweiser Society · Civil rights and participation Deutsch

📂 Freedom of information: information from authorities

You can request access to official information. The authority should provide it within one month.

IFG Freedom of Information Act (Informationsfreiheitsgesetz) right to information authority access to files transparency environmental information

In brief

Under the federal Freedom of Information Act (IFG), you can request information from federal authorities. You do not have to state any particular interest.

The authority should make the information available without delay. It should do so within one month.

State laws apply to state and municipal authorities. Not every state has the same rules.

Step by step

  1. Find the responsible authorityFederal or state? The IFG applies to federal authorities.
  2. Submit a requestIn writing or electronically. Describe the information you want precisely.
  3. Watch the deadlineOne month is the guideline.
  4. If refused, check your optionsAn objection (Widerspruch) is possible. You can turn to the Federal Commissioner for Freedom of Information.

Deadlines

without delay, should be within 1 month
Access to the information after a request.§ 7 para. 5 IFG
Watch out – common mistakes
  • The one-month period is a target period and can be exceeded in cases under § 8 IFG.
  • There are exceptions, for example for trade secrets and personal data (not checked in detail).
  • Do not rely on assumptions about costs and fees. Ask beforehand.
  • State regulations are not uniform.
In depth · legal basis, figures and practice – for advisers and professionals

Federal IFG

§ 7 para. 5 IFG: the information must be made available to the applicant without delay, taking their interests into account; access to the information should be provided within one month. Delays are possible under the conditions of § 8 IFG (involvement of third parties).

Oversight

The Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information (BfDI) is also the contact point for freedom of information at federal level. For state authorities, state commissioners are responsible where a state law exists (not checked state by state).

Who is responsible
  • The authority that holds the information
  • BfDI (federal), state commissioners (states)
Further reading
Data protection and the right of access (GDPR)Petition, citizens' petition for a referendum, referendum

Quick questions

Worum geht es bei „Freedom of information: information from authorities“?
You can request access to official information. The authority should provide it within one month.
Which deadlines and figures matter?
without delay, should be within 1 month: Access to the information after a request. (§ 7 para. 5 IFG)
What should I do first?
  • Find the responsible authority: Federal or state? The IFG applies to federal authorities.
  • Submit a request: In writing or electronically. Describe the information you want precisely.
  • Watch the deadline: One month is the guideline.
What do I need to watch out for?
  • The one-month period is a target period and can be exceeded in cases under § 8 IFG.
  • There are exceptions, for example for trade secrets and personal data (not checked in detail).
  • Do not rely on assumptions about costs and fees. Ask beforehand.
Evidence
  • Gesetze im Internet, § 7 IFG, retrieved 20 September 2026
  • BfDI, bfdi.bund.de, retrieved 20 September 2026
As of

September 2026 · Sources and method

A question about your situation that this page does not answer? Write to us or use the contact form – we will tell you which office is responsible and what to bring. Free of charge, without individual legal advice.