Requesting access to official information from the federal authorities

You can submit your request for access to information online or in writing by post.

Online application:

• Call up the online application on the federal portal verwaltung.bund.de. This will guide you step by step through the necessary information, which you can enter electronically.
• The competent authority will send you the relevant response by post or e-mail.

Written application:

• You can submit your application informally.
• Please send your postal application to the relevant authority.
• The competent authority will send you the relevant reply by post or e-mail.

Your right to information is restricted if, among other things, the information becomes known:

• may have a detrimental effect on
  • international relations,
  • military and other security-sensitive interests of the Bundeswehr,
  • internal or external security concerns,
  • control or supervisory tasks of the financial, competition and regulatory authorities,
  • matters of external financial control,
  • measures to protect against unauthorized foreign trade,
  • the conduct of ongoing legal proceedings, a person's right to a fair trial or the conduct of criminal, regulatory or disciplinary investigations,
• would violate duties of secrecy or confidentiality or professional or official secrets,
• would impair the necessary confidentiality of international negotiations or the deliberations of public authorities,
• would affect official decision-making processes, in particular ongoing administrative proceedings, and jeopardize the success of official measures
• would impair the protection of personal data of third parties,
• would jeopardize trade and business secrets and intellectual property.

You do not need to submit any documents.

There is no deadline.

• § Section 1 (1) sentence 1 of the Freedom of Information Act (IFG)
• § Section 7 Freedom of Information Act (IFG)

You can lodge an appeal against the decision with the competent authority within one month of notification.

11.09.2023