Law on Free Access to Information of Public Importance
A law that regulates the public’s right to request and receive information from public authorities, especially regarding the work of institutions, public money, decisions and documents of importance to citizens.
Avangarda does not provide legal representation. These materials are here to inform and to make rights easier to understand. For a concrete legal procedure, contact a lawyer, legal aid service or the relevant institution.
Access to Information / Public Administration / Human Rights
The Law on Free Access to Information of Public Importance is important because public information does not belong to institutions. It belongs to the public. When the state spends money, makes decisions, signs contracts, issues permits or decides on matters that affect people’s lives, citizens have the right to know what is happening.
This law allows citizens, journalists, researchers, civil society organizations and others to request information from public authorities. This may include documents, decisions, contracts, minutes, budget data, inspection records, public procurement information or other matters of public importance.
For Avangarda, this law is one of the basic tools against the silence of the system. Without access to information, there is no serious journalism, no control of power and no real participation of citizens. An institution that works in the name of the public cannot behave as if information is its private property.
This resource serves as a starting point for understanding the right of access to information in Serbia. For specific legal procedures, the official source should always be checked and professional legal assistance, the Commissioner for Information of Public Importance and Personal Data Protection, or the competent institution should be contacted.
The current citation is Official Gazette RS 120/2004, 54/2007, 104/2009, 36/2010 and 105/2021. The 2021 amendments entered into force on 16 November 2021 and apply from 17 February 2022. Address the authority holding the document and describe the information sufficiently; personal interest need not be proved. The general response period is 15 days. Justified extension may reach 40 days, with notice by day seven. Refusal and silence may be appealed to the Commissioner under statutory conditions; the general appeal limit against refusal is 15 days. Administrative litigation applies to specified exempt highest authorities and Commissioner decisions. Inspection is free; copying and delivery have separate cost rules. Restrictions require considering access to separable parts.
This supplements Avangarda’s informational editorial overview, rather than reproducing the statute. Translations are editorial, not official. Check the applicable text and appropriate legal route for your case.
What is this for?
This law is used to understand how to request information of public importance from institutions, which data must be accessible to the public, and what a citizen can do when a public authority remains silent, rejects a request or fails to provide the requested information.
Who can use it?
This law can be used by citizens, journalists, researchers, students, activists, civil society organizations and anyone who wants to obtain information about the work of institutions, public money, decisions, contracts, permits or other matters of public importance.
When should it be used?
Use it when you want to request information, documents, contracts, decisions, data on public money, permits, inspections, public procurement or other matters of public importance from an institution. It is especially important when a public authority remains silent, rejects a request, gives an incomplete answer or tries to hide information that should be available to the public.