By Indicator detail

Please find below the lists of indicators that have been used to analyse each law. You can click on each of them and you will get the result for that indicator in each country.

Country	Description	Scoring instructions	Max score	Finding	Points	Article	Comments
Afghanistan	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	9(1) When provision of information demand expenses, the applicant is responsible to pay for the actual costs incurred. Otherwise the request is rejected. (2) The costs in paragraph one shall only include the cost of reproducing information and sending it to the applicant.	It is clear that there is no fee for making requests. The form is also free (see 6(2)).
Albania	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	13(1) Public administration services are free of charge. Disclosure of information can be made against a fee, previously arrived at and made public by the public authority on its website and in premises where members of the public are received. The fee is the cost for the reproduction of the information request and, where appropriate, the cost of delivery. Information requested electronically is free of charge.
Andorra	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	"Article 15) 2. The consultation of public information to which access has been granted is free of charge. Format must be prioritized and electronic support. Issuing copies or translating the information into a format other than the original may be subject to the payment of a pre-established public price, which may not exceed the actual cost and may include the costs of dedication it generates to the Administration for its own obtaining and delivery, as established in the corresponding tax instrument." "Article 15 ) 2. La consulta de la informació pública l’accés a la qual s’ha atorgat és gratuïta. S’han de prioritzar el format i el suport electrònics. L’expedició de còpies o la transposició de la informació a un format diferent a l’original pot ser sotmesa al pagament d’un preu públic prèviament establert, que no pot excedir el cost real de reproducció, i pot incloure els costos de dedicació que aquesta generi a l’Administració per a la seva obtenció i lliurament, segons el que s’estableixi en el corresponent instrument tributari."
Angola	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	12(1) Access to documents is exercised by means of: (a) free perusal conducted on the premises of the institution where they are kept; (b) reproduction by means of photocopy or any other technical means, to wit visual or audio; (c) issuance of certified copies by the public body [where the document is kept]. (2) Reproduction pursuant to paragraph 1b) shall be one copy and subject to payment by the applicant of an amount strictly corresponding to the cost of the materials used and the service rendered; such amount to be determined by a decree-law. (3) Documents in digital format shall be transmitted in a way that is intelligible to any person and such so that it constitutes an accurate match of the contents of the file, without detriment to the option provided for in paragraph 1b) of this article. (4) Where there is a risk that reproduction as provided for in paragraph 1b) may cause damage to the documents, the interested person, at his or her expense and under the supervision of the institution, shall be entitled to devise a manual reproduction or reproduction by any other means that does not harm the preservation of the document.	art 12 - The access to documents is free, the request pay only for the reproductions material
Antigua and Barbuda	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	20(1) The communication of information pursuant to a request by a public or private body may, subject to subsections (2) and (3), be made conditional upon payment by the person making the request of a reasonable fee, which shall not exceed the actual cost of searching for, preparing and communicating the information. (2) Payment of a fee shall not be required for requests for personal information, and requests in the public interest. (3) The Minister may, after consultation with the Commissioner, make Regulations providing: (a) for the fees to be paid; (b) for the manner in which fees are to be calculated; (c) that no fee is to be charged in cases specified in the Regulations; and (d) for any other matter relating to fees. (4) A public body shall not require payment of a fee pursuant to subsection (1) where the cost of collecting that fee would exceed the amount of the fee.	Art 20 allows the gov't to charge for the cost of searching - but it's unclear as to whether or not requests are free to file.
Argentina	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	ARTÍCULO 6° — Gratuidad. El acceso a la información pública es gratuito en tanto no se requiera su reproducción. Los costos de reproducción corren a cargo del solicitante.
Armenia	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	10(1) Providing information or its copy from state and local self-government bodies is realized according to the Government Regulation of the Republic of Armenia. (2) The payment defined in the 1st clause of the current Article is not paid in the following cases: (a) response to oral inquiries; (b) for up to 10 pages of printed or copied information; (c) for information via e-mail (internet); (d) responding the written information inquiries mentioned in the 2nd clause of the Article 7; (e) providing information about the changes of the deadline in the cases foreseen by the 7c sub clause and 10th clause of the Article 9; f) declining the information request. (3) The organizations of public importance decide themselves the cost to be paid for information, which can not exceed the costs of providing that information. (4) Body or organization that has provided untruthful or incomplete information shall provide corrected information free of charge, as defined by this law, upon the written inquiry of the receiving party. 2015 regulation
Australia	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	N/A	No application fees anymore.
Austria	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	12 (1) Applications (requests for information), requests for the provision of information and other applications in the procedure for the provision of information, information and notices pursuant to this Federal Act shall be exempt from federal administrative charges and fees pursuant to the Fees Act 1957, Federal Law Gazette No. 267/1957.
Azerbaijan	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	2.1. Access to information is free in the Republic of Azerbaijan. 14.3. In the cases specified in Article 14.2.1 of this Law, access to information shall be provided free of charge, with payment or on preferential terms. Article 26. Payment for access to information 26.1. The applicant shall not pay for access to the information if he / she gets acquainted with the information, copies it by hand or makes a copy using his / her technical capabilities, as well as in other cases where technical assistance is not provided. 26.2. There is no charge for accessing public information. 26.3. There may be a fee for the information service, provided that the amount of payment does not exceed the cost of preparation and submission of information. 26.4. Relevant executive authority in coordination with the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan: 26.4.1. list of paid information services; 26.4.2. payment rules for preparation and submission of information; 26.4.3. cases of submission of information with advance payment; 26.4.4. the terms of the discount that can be made at the time of payment; 26.4.5. except as provided in Article 14.4 of this Law, determines the conditions and rules for securing information requests by contract.	Clear that just lodging a request is free
Bahamas	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	Section 13. Cost of access. (1) No fee shall be charged by a public authority in respect of a request for access to a record.
Bangladesh	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	8(4): "In the case of obtaining information under sub-section (1), the person making the request shall pay reasonable fees as may be prescribed by the officer- in-charge for such information."	Art 8(4) lists fees only for "obtaining" the information - this appears to mean that requests are free.
Belgium	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	N/A	There are no fees established for making requests.
Belize	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	N/A	No mention of fees upon request.
Benin	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	75: L’accès à un document ou renseignement public est gratuit.
Bolivia	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	3. The fundamental principles that guide access to public information are the following: ... GRATUITY: Access to information is free. When reproduction costs exist, they will be covered by the applicant. 12(III) In accordance with the principle of gratuity, the petitioner who requires information must pay only the amount corresponding to the reproduction costs of the required information.	Guarantee of free requests and information provision, but expected to pay for any reproduction costs
Bosnia and Herzegovina	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	Article 16 Duplication Costs "A public authority shall not levy fees or taxes for requests submitted, or for decisions or notices provided for under this Act.<...>"
Brazil	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	Article 12. The service to search and provide information is free of charge, except in the case of document reproduction by the public organ or entity, when only the costs of the services and materials used can be charged.
Bulgaria	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	20(1) The access to public information shall be free of charge.
Burkina Faso	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	Article 8 : L'accès à l’information publique et aux documents administratifs est gratuit.
Chile	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	ARTICLE 11. El derecho de acceso a la información de los órganos de la Administración del Estado reconoce, entre otros, los siguientes principios: k) Principio de gratuidad, de acuerdo al cual el acceso a la información de los órganos de la Administración es gratuito, sin perjuicio de lo establecido en esta ley.
China	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	42 Administrative organs providing government information upon application are not to collect fees. However, where the number or frequency of applicants' applications to disclose government information clearly exceed reasonable limits, administrative organs may collect fees for handling the information. Specific measures on administrative organs collection of information handling fees are to be drafted by the State Council departments for pricing together with the State Council finance departments, and the departments in charge of open government information for the entire nation.	Officials should not collect fees except for information handling when a high frequency of requests
Colombia	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	Art. 3 Principle of gratuitousness. According to this principle access to public information is free and no additional value may be charged for the cost of the reproduction of information.	According to the gratuity principle the only cost that can be charged is the cost of reproduction of information.
Cook Islands	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	N/A	Because charges are only mentioned in regards to decision (i.e. - access fees), it is implied that there is no charge for filing requests. In the absence of expert confirmation, I will award the points.
Costa Rica	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	7. Costo de la reproducción. El costo de la reproducción de la información pública solicitada será de cuenta del solicitante, a quien deberá comunicarse dicha circunstancia. Tales gastos no podrán exceder el costo de reproducción y de envío, en caso necesario. El funcionario encargado procurará reducir el costo al mínimo.	Not specifically stated but clear enough from fact that costs are limited to reproduction and delivery costs.
Croatia	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	Art.19.2.: The public authority body is entitled to request from the beneficiaries to cover the actual material expenses incurred by providing information, under Article 17 of this Law, as well as to request to cover the expenses of delivering the requested information. Upon the request submitted by the beneficiary, the public authority body is bound to deliver the calculation of expenses incurred.	Filing of the request is free, but there exists a fee related to actual material costs of granting access to information, as well as delivery costs.
Czech Republic	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	Section 17 - Cost recovery "(1) In connection with the provision of information, the obligated bodies are entitled to require payments in an amount not exceeding costs incurred in connection with the retrieval of information the copying, obtaining data carriers and delivery of the information to the applicant. The obligated body may also require payments for extraordinarily extensive information retrieval."
Denmark	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	N/A	It is not specifically mentioned in the law. However, it seems clear in the law that fees can only be charged for the actual copies of the documents/cases requested.
Dominican Republic	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	ARTICLE 14. El acceso público a la información es gratuito en tanto no se requiera la reproducción de la misma. En todo caso las tarifas cobradas por las instituciones deberán ser razonables y calculadas, tomando como base el costo del suministro de la información.
Ecuador	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	ARTICLE 4 Principios de Aplicación de la Ley.- En el desarrollo del derecho de acceso a la información pública, se observaran los siguientes principios: (...) b) El acceso a la información pública, será por regla general gratuito a excepción de los costos de reproducción y estará regulado por las normas de esta Ley;
El Salvador	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	ARTICLE 4 En la interpretación y aplicación de esta ley deberán regir los principios siguientes: g. Gratuidad: el acceso a la información debe ser gratuito. ARTICLE 61 La obtención y consulta de la información pública se regirá por el principio de gratuidad, en virtud del cual se permitirá el acceso directo a la información libre de costos. La reproducción y envío de la información, en su caso, será sufragada por el solicitante, si bien su valor no podrá ser superior al de los materiales utilizados y costos de remisión. Los entes obligados deberán disponer de hojas informativas de costos de reproducción y envío. El envío por vía electrónica no tendrá costo alguno. En caso de copias certificadas, se aplicarán las tasas previstas en las leyes especiales. Tratándose de copias magnéticas o electrónicas, si el interesado aporta el medio en que será almacenada la información, la reproducción será gratuita.	Art 4(g) states that access is to be free, spelled out in more detail in Art 61.
Estonia	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	4. Principles of granting access to public information "(4) Access to information shall be granted without charge unless payment for the direct expenses relating to the release of the information is prescribed by law." 25. Covering expenses relating to compliance with requests for information "(1) A holder of information shall cover the expenses relating to compliance with requests for information unless otherwise prescribed by law. (2) A person making a request for information shall pay up to 3 kroons per page for copies on paper starting from the twenty-first page, unless a state fee for the release of information is prescribed by law. (3) Holders of information shall cover the expenses relating to compliance with requests for information made by state or local government agencies."
Ethiopia	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	14(4) Where it is decided to provide the information on payment of such fee as may be prescribed , the public relation officer shall notify the requester in writing the amount of the fees, the manner of payment and request him to pay the fee. The period intervening between the dispatch of the said notification and payment of the fees shall be excluded for the purpose of calculating the period of thirty days referred to in sub article (2).	14(4) - discussion of fees seems to limit them to being paid upon provision of the information, since notification of fees only comes after the request is processed - but this is something our expert will need to clarify.
Finland	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	[Principles of Openness] Article 34. A copy of a document and the provision of access to information in the form of a printout or by means of a technical interface, otherwise electronically or in a comparable manner, as well as the retrieval and delivery service provided by an authority, may be subject to a charge, as specifically provided elsewhere. Other access provided by virtue of this Act shall be free of charge.
France	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	N/A	Not mentioned.
Georgia	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	Article 38 Availability of copy of public information. Public institutions shall be obliged to ensure availability of copies of public information. Charging any fees for issuing public information other than the cost of making copies shall not be permitted.	It is free to file requests.
Germany	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	Section 10(1) Fees and expenses shall be charged for official acts pursuant to this Act. This shall not apply to the furnishing of basic items of information. (2) With due regard to the administrative expenditure involved, the fees shall be calculated such as to ensure that access to information pursuant to Section 1 can be claimed effectively. (3) The Federal Ministry of the Interior is authorized to assess the facts and circumstances determining the commensurate fee and to fix the scales of fees for official acts pursuant to this Act by means of statutory instruments, without the approval of the Bundesrat. Section 15(2) of the Administrative Costs Act (VwKG) shall not be applicable.
Greece	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	N/A	It seems to be free, but there is no section that stipulates this.
Guatemala	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	Artículo 15. Los interesados tendrán responsabilidad, penal y civil por el uso, manejo o difusión de la información pública a la que tengan acceso, de conformidad con esta ley y demás leyes aplicables.
Guinea	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	33(1) Tout citoyen a droit gratuitement à l'accès à l'information. Toutefois, si la fourniture de L'information nécessite des frais à payer par l'organisme concerné demandeur sera informé de la nécessité de payer un montant qui ne dépassera pas les coûts réels supportés par l'organisme concerné. (2) L'information demandée ne sera fournie qu'après justification du paiement du montant dû.
Guyana	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	21(1) No fee shall be charged by the Commissioner of Information and a public authority for the making of a request for access to an official document.
Honduras	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	ARTICULO 15. FORMA DE ENTREGA DE LA INFORMACION SOLICITADA. La información solicitada por el ciudadano podrá entregarse, a su requerimiento, en forma personal, por medio de fax, servicio postal o por medios electrónicos, protegiendo la integridad de la información. El acceso publico a la información es gratuito, no obstante, la institución publica esta autorizada para cobrar y percibir únicamente los costos de la reproducción previamente establecidos por la institución respectiva.	Article 15 - access is free.
Hungary	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	Partially	2	Article 33(1) Access to data defined as data of public interest pursuant to the present Act must be ensured free of charge in digital format on internet websites for anyone interested, without disclosing any personal ID data or applying restrictions, in printable format ensuring the opportunity to copy parts of the text without data loss or distortion, enabling the document to be viewed, copies to be downloaded and printed, as well as network data transfer (hereinafter electronic disclosure). Access to the data disclosed cannot be subject to the disclosure of personal data.
Iceland	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	Partially	2	Article 12. [...] When the number of documents is great, the government authority may decide to assign their photocopying to other parties. The same applies when the government authority does not have facilities for photocopying documents. In such cases, the requester shall pay the cost entailed in photocopying the documents. The same applies, where relevant, to copies of material other than documents. By means of a list of fees, the Prime Minister shall decide what is to be paid for copies and photocopies of material provided pursuant to this Act. It is permissible to allow for all of the costs entailed.	Since fees for photocopying are mentioned but no fees for requesting are mentioned, I assume making requests is free of charge. Since this is not made clear in the law, I gave only 1 point of the maximum 2.
Indonesia	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	N/A	Not mentioned.
Iran	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	N/A	Established as a general matter of administrative law.
Ireland	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	N/A	There is no fee for requests.
Italy	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	Article 5(4) No cost shall be applied to the data or documents released in an electronic format or in hard copy except for the cost actually incurred and duly documented by the administration for reproducing such data and documents on physical devices.
Jamaica	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	Article 13. Subject to this Act, where - (a) an application is made in accordance with section 7 for access to an official document; and (b) the cost incurred by the public authority in granting access has been paid, access to the document shall be granted in accordance with this Act.	13 - the only costs to be borne are the cost of reproduction.
Jordan	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	N/A	The constitution prohibits this.
Kazakhstan	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	11(1) Information upon a request is provided free of charge.
Kenya	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	12(1) No fee may be levied in relation to the submission of an application.
Kosovo	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	N/A	Not mentioned but a prohibition on cost is likely covered under separate administrative rules, given other cost rules in the law.
Latvia	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	Section 13. Payment for the Provision of Information "(1) Generally accessible information which does not require any additional processing shall be provided free of charge. (2) Payment for the provision of information may not exceed the expenses of the searching for, additional processing and copying of documents or information. The payment may not include any other expenses, which have been incurred in respect of resolving legal or political issues, which are associated with the provision of answers to the request for information. (3) Every applicant for information may request exemption from the payment for the service. The Cabinet shall determine the cases where payment for the provision of information by a private person shall be reduced or shall be released from such payment. (4) The Cabinet shall determine the procedures by which payment is performed for the provision of information, as well as the paid services and the amounts thereof. (5) Commercial companies founded by public persons for the re-use of information in their commercial activities shall have applied the same payment and provision procedures as for other applicants for information."
Liberia	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	3.11: "Provision of Requested information: The search for and provision of requested information shall be done free of charge to the requester, but a public entity may charge such amount as is necessary to cover actual cost of photocopying, transcribing, scanning or other forms of reproduction."
Liechtenstein	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	Article 33.3-4.	Searching fees for extraordinary or excessive time to find the information.
Lithuania	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	Article 6. Right to Obtain Information from State and Municipal Institutions and Agencies "<...> 6. Public information relating to state and municipal institutions and agencies shall be free of charge. These agencies may charge a fee only for the services involving retrieval of the provided information and duplication (copying) of information or documents. The fee may not exceed the actual costs of the provision of information. <...>"
Luxembourg	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	N/A	Not mentioned but benefit of the doubt given based on the rules regarding fees below.
Malawi	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	24. (1) Subject to subsection (2), a person shall not pay any fees on lodging an application for request of information. (2) The fees payable by an applicant under this Act, shall be limited to reasonable, standard charges for document duplication, translation or transcription where necessary.
Maldives	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	19(a) Circumstances under which fees shall be charged and the rate at which such fees shall be charged for the disclosure of information shall be determined in a regulation made in accordance with this Act. (c) In so determining the applicable fee or charge, as according to the regulation mentioned in the subsection (a) of this section, due consideration must be given to the following: (1) That the charge or fee payable does not exceed the actual cost of transforming and providing the information in the required format; (2) That the fee does not amount to a charge taken for the task of searching, examining, collecting and verifying the information; (3) That the fee does not amount to an obstruction in gaining information that is entitled to a financially disadvantaged person; (4) Where the information requested is personal information of the applicant, or in the interest of the general public, no fee shall be charged.	There is no mention of a requesting fee.
Mexico	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	Article 17. The right of access to information is free and only a charge may be required based on the reproduction and delivery mode requested. In no case the Reasonable Adjustments to be made for access to the information of applicants with disabilities, will be at a cost to them.
Mongolia	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	4.1. The terms found in this law shall bear the following meanings: 4.1.8. “expenses for information release” means expenses of photocopying, copying, and delivering through mail, and other required expenses for the purpose of releasing information to citizens and legal entities; 16.4. The amount of service fees shall not exceed the direct expenses related to release of such information such as copying and delivery through mail.	Implies that this is the case by limiting the service fee to the direct cost of reproduction and delivery.
Montenegro	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	Article 1: "Access to the information filed with government agencies shall be free, whereas it shall be exercised in the manner prescribed by this Law.<...>" Article 11: " <...> There shall be no dues payable for any request for access to the information."
Mozambique	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	ARTIGO 17 (Gratuitousness) The disclosure of information is free, except for the reproduction, certified declaration, emission of certificates, where a fee is required.
Namibia	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	46(1) A requester is not required to pay any fee - (a) on lodging a request; ...
Netherlands	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2		In general, itÂ´s free to file requests.
New Zealand	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2
Nicaragua	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	Artículo 31.- La consulta y el acceso a la información pública que realicen las personas será gratuito. De conformidad con lo establecido en el Arto. 7 de la presente Ley, la reproducción de la información habilitará a la entidad pública a realizar el cobro de un monto de recuperación razonable que no podrá ser superior a: a. El costo de los materiales utilizados en la reproducción de la información. b. El costo de envío (si fuese el caso).
Niger	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	4: L’accès à l’information publique est libre, sous réserve des exceptions et délais prévus par la loi. L’information publique est communicable de plein droit aux personnes qui en font la requête dans les conditions prévues par la présente ordonnance. 18: L’accès aux documents administratifs s’exerce, au choix du demandeur et dans la limite des possibilités techniques de l’administration : a) par consultation gratuite sur place, sauf si la préservation du document ne le permet pas ; b) sous réserve que la reproduction ne nuise pas à la conservation du document, par la délivrance d’une copie sur un support identique à celui utilisé par l’administration ou compatible avec celui-ci et aux frais du demandeur, sans que ces frais ne puissent excéder le coût de cette reproduction, dans des conditions fixées par décret ; c) par courrier électronique et sans frais, lorsque le document est disponible sous forme électronique.
Nigeria	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	8 Fees shall be limited to standard charges for document duplication and transcription where necessary.	Act says that the fees are "limited to standard charges for document duplication and transcription where necessary." Expert says that this is interpreted as an access fee, not a requesting fee.
North Macedonia	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	Art 29. "(1) Insight to information requested shall be provided free of charge."
Norway	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	Section 8. (Main rule regarding access free of charge): "An administrative agency may only require payment for access under this Act insofar as it is authorised to do so by regulations pursuant to the second or third paragraphs.[...] The King may make regulations concerning payment for transcripts, printouts or copies. The rates of payment shall be such that the total income does not exceed the actual costs of copying and dispatching documents."	According to the law, the access to information is free of charge, however, The King may prescribe regulations concerning payment for transcripts, printouts and copies.
Pakistan	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	15 Prescribed fee may be charged for the cost of reproducing information and sending it to the applicant.	Not exactly stated but seems clear from this provision
Panama	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	Artículo 4: El acceso público la información será gratuito en tanto no se requiera la reproducción de esta. Los costos de reproducción de la información estarán a cargo del solicitante. En todo caso, las tarifas cobradas por la institución deberán incluir únicamente los costos de reproducción. La información será suministrada en copia simple, o en su reproducción digital, sonora, fotográfica, cinematográfica o videográfica, según se peticione y sea técnicamente factible. Para los efectos de prestar el servicio de acceso por medio de Internet, las instituciones deberán prever una oficina de consulta que tenga los medios electrónicos indispensables para ofrecer un servicio de acceso de calidad. Esto se podrá lograr también por medio de kioscos de información que hayan previsto las distintas instituciones. Parágrafo: En caso de que la información solicitada sea requerida de manera certificada, el peticionario deberá cumplir, para los efectos de las formalidades y de los costos, con las disposiciones legales que rigen la materia.	Article 4 of Law 6 of 2002.
Paraguay	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	Article 4. Scope and gratuity. Any person, without discrimination of any kind, you can access public information, free of charge and without any need to justify the reasons for formulating your order according to the procedure established by this Law.
Peru	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	20 Tasa aplicable: El solicitante que requiera la información deberá abonar solamente el importe correspondiente a los costos de reproducción de la información requerida. El monto de la tasa debe figurar en el Texto Único de Procedimientos Administrativos (TUPA) de cada entidad de la Administración Pública. Cualquier costo adicional se entenderá como una restricción al ejercicio del derecho regulado por esta Ley, aplicándose las sanciones correspondientes.
Philippines	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	Section 10: Fees: Government offices shall not charge any fee for accepting requests for access to information. They may, however, charge a reasonable fee to reimburse necessary costs, including actual costs of reproduction and copying of the information requested, subject to existing rules and regulations. In no case shall the applicable fees be so onerous as to defeat the purpose of this Order.
Poland	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	7(2) Access to public information is free, with the stipulation of Article 15. 15(1) If as a result of making public information on the petition, defined in Article 10, it. 1, the entity obliged to do this, is to incur the additional costs connected with the method defined in the petition of a method of making it available or necessity to transform the information in the form pointed in the petition, this entity is entitled to the payment from the petitioner covering these costs.	The access to public information is free, unless it incurs in additional costs (referring to method of making information available)
Portugal	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	N/A
Romania	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2
Russia	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	Article 21(1): (Information on the Activities of Government Bodies and Bodies of Local Self-Government Given Free of Charge): The information user is granted free of charge the following information on activities of government bodies and bodies of local self-government which are: (a) transferred in oral form; (b) placed by the government body or body of local self-government on the Internet, as well as in places designated for placement of information on the activities of government bodies and bodies of local self-government; (c) touching upon rights and duties of the concerned information user defined by the legislation of the Russian Federation; (d) other information, defined by law, on the activities of government bodies and bodies of local self-government, as well as other information, defined by municipal legal acts, on the activities of bodies of local self-government.
Rwanda	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	Article 10: The provision of information is an obligation without fee. However, depending on the means for providing the information, charges for making copies or sending information may be charged to the applicant. A Ministerial Order shall determine the procedure thereof.
Saudi Arabia	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	The main steps for the request to access public information (pp. 46 - 47): First: Applications should be submitted by filling out a “Public Information Request Form” – electronic format or paper – and submitting it to the public entity that has the information. Second: The public entity, in not less than thirty (30) days of receipt of a request to access or obtain public information, shall take one of the following steps: 1. Grant: If the public entity grants a request to access to or obtain information in whole or in part, the applicant should be advised in writing the applicable fees, and the public entity should make this information available to the applicant within a reasonable period that does not exceed ten (10) days of receipt of payment.	While the Regulation does not explicitly state that requests are free, the description of the procedure suggests that fees appear to only be charged for processing requests and are charged after the filing of a request.
Serbia	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	17. 1: Insight in a document containing the requested information shall be free of charge.
Sierra Leone	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2		The fact that fees are optional, and are applied after a request is processed, and that there is no mention of requesting fees, heavily implies this.
Slovakia	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	Section 21 Payment of costs: \"(1)Information shall be provided free of charge, with the exception of payments not higher than the costs of material for making copies, the costs of technical data carriers and delivery of information to the applicant.\"
Slovenia	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	Art 34. "(1) Consultation on the spot of the requested information shall be free of charge."
Spain	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	Artículo 22 (Formalización del acceso): 4. El acceso a la información sera gratuito. No obstante, la expedición de copias o la transposición de la información a un formato diferente al original podrá dar lugar a la exigencia de exacciones en los términos previstos en la Ley 8/1989, de 13 de abril, de Tasas y Precios Públicos o, en su caso, conforme a la normativa autonómica o local que resulte aplicable.
Sri Lanka	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	Section 14. The duties and functions of the Commission shall be, to (c) issue guidelines based on reasonableness, for determining fees to be levied by public authorities for the release of any information under this Act;... (e) prescribe the fee Schedule based on the principle of proactive disclosure, in regard to providing information; Rule 3: Application Fees: (1) No Public Authority shall charge any fee to provide a Right to Information Application Form to a citizen making an information request. (2) No Public Authority shall charge any fee to process a Right to Information request.	Act is not explicit about this but it is clear in the Rules.
Sweden	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	Chapter 2, Article 1: "Every Swedish citizen shall be entitled to have free access to official documents, in order to encourage the free exchange of opinion and the availability of comprehensive information." Chapter 2, Article 12, Paragraph 1: "An official document to which the public has access shall be made available on request forthwith, or as soon as possible, at the place where it is held, and free of charge, to any person wishing to examine it, in such form that it can be read, listened to, or otherwise comprehended. A document may also be copied, reproduced, or used for sound transmission. If a document cannot be made available without disclosure of such part of it as constitutes classified material, the rest of the document shall be made available to the applicant in the form of a transcript or copy."
Switzerland	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2
Thailand	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	Section 9. Subject to section 14 and section 15, a State agency shall make available at least the following official information for public inspection in accordance with the rules and procedure prescribed by the Board: (1) a result of consideration or a decision which has a direct effect on a private individual including a dissenting opinion and an order relating thereto; (2) a policy or an interpretation which does not fall within the scope of the requirement of publication in the Government Gazette under section 7 (4); (3) a work-plan, project and annual expenditure estimate of the year of its preparation; (4) a manual or order relating to work procedure of State officials which affects the rights and duties of private individuals; (5) the published material to which a reference is made under section 7 paragraph two; (6) a concession contract, agreement of a monopolistic nature or joint venture agreement with a private individual for the provision of public services; (7) a resolution of the Council of Ministers or of such Board, Tribunal, Commission or Committee as established by law or by a resolution of the Council of Ministers; provided that the titles of the technical reports, fact reports or information relied on in such consideration shall also be specified; (8) such other information as determined by the Board. If any part of the information made available for public inspection under paragraph one is prohibited from disclosure under section 14 or section 15, it shall be deleted, omitted or effected in such other manners whatsoever so as not to disclose such part of the information. A person, whether interested in the matter concerned or not, has the right to inspect or obtain a copy or a certified copy of the information under paragraph one. In an appropriate case, a State agency may, with the approval of the Board, lay down the rules on the collection of fees therefor. For this purpose, regard shall also be had to the making of concession given to persons with low incomes, unless otherwise provided by specific law. The extent to which an alien may enjoy the right under this section shall be provided by the Ministerial Regulation.	9 - Section 9 mentions that fees may be charged to inspect documents, but requesting is free.
Togo	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	Article 5 : L'accès aux informations et aux documents est gratuit sauf disposition contraire. Article 9 : L'accès à une information ou à un document d'un organisme public est gratuit sauf si la transcription, la reproduction, ou la transmission du document entraînent des frais.
Trinidad and Tobago	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	17. (1) No fee shall be charged by a public authority for the making of a request for access to an official document. (2) Where access to an official document is to be given in the form of printed copies, or copies in so me other form, such as on tape, disk, film or other material, the applicant shall pay the prescribed fee. (3) Notwithstanding subsection (2), where a public authority fails to comply with section 15, any access to official documents to which the applicant is entitled pursuant to his request shall be provided free of charge. (4) Notwithstanding subsection (2), where a public authority fails, to give an applicant access to an official document within seven working days of the payment of the relevant fee pursuant to section 16(1)[c], the applicant shall, in addition to access to the official document requested, be entitled to a refund of the fee paid. (5) The fees payable by the applicant shall be commensurate with the cost incurred in making documents available.
Tunisia	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	Art. 23- Toute personne a gratuitement droit d’accès à l’information. Toutefois, si la fourniture de l’information nécessite des frais supportés par l’organisme concerné, le demandeur sera pré-informé de la nécessité de payer un montant à condition qu’il ne dépasse pas les coûts réels supportés par l’organisme concerné. L’information demandée ne sera fournie qu’après justification du paiement du montant dû.
Turkey	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	N/A
Ukraine	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	21.1 Information in response to request shall be provided free of charge.
United Kingdom	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	Section 9; The Freedom of Information and Data Protection (Appropriate Limit and Fees) Regulations 2004.	The fees regulations permit (but do not require) fees to be charged but only for copying, postage or complying with an applicant's request to put the information into a different form from the one in which it is held. In the almost all cases even these fees are not charged and access is entirely free.
United States	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	4(a)(I) allows authorities to charge "processing fees" these are limited to search, duplication and review costs and our expert argues that the filing itself is free - despite the fact that it is called a processing fee, functionally it's structured like an access fee.
Uruguay	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	Artículo 17. (Acceso).- En caso que los sujetos obligados resuelvan favorablemente las peticiones formuladas, autorizarán la consulta de los documentos pertinentes en las oficinas que determinen o, en su caso, expedirán copia auténtica de los antecedentes que posean relativos a la solicitud. El acceso a la información será siempre gratuito, pero su reproducción en cualquier soporte será a costa del interesado, quien reintegrará al organismo únicamente el precio de costo del soporte, sin ningún tipo de ganancia o arancel adicional.	Art 17 - Access is free
Vanuatu	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	30. Reproduction fees (1) An applicant must pay the prescribed reproduction fee if his or her request for access to information is granted. (2) An applicant is not required to pay any reproduction fee: (a) when lodging an application;	-
Venezuela	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	6. El ejercicio del derecho de acceso a la información de interés público comprende:....2) Recibir la información de manera completa, oportuna y gratuita o con un costo que no exceda del costo de búsqueda y reproducción de la documentación, siempre que la información se encuentre a disposición del sujeto obligado.... 9. La solicitud de información de interés público deberá contener los siguientes datos: 1) Identidad del solicitante o, en su defecto, de la persona que actúe como su representante, con expresión de sus nombres, apellidos y cédula de identidad. 2) Información de contacto para recibir notificaciones así como la información solicitada. 3) Una descripción suficientemente precisa de la información solicitada, para permitir que sea ubicada. 4) Los motivos que justifican la solicitud de información de interés público...	Law is silent on this point. It protects the right to receive information free/at actual cost but technically this is not the same as a right to request information freely. However, this language plus fact that Article 9 does not list a fee is enough for benefit of the doubt.
Vietnam	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	Article 12(1): Citizen is provided with information at no charge or fee, unless otherwise regulated by other laws.
Yemen	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	19: "A. The employee in charge shall enable the applicant to have access to information from him and determines the cost of that, where appropriate, if copies were requested. B. If the employee in charge found that part of the information required is under one or more exceptional articles as specified in this law, and that it is based on this exception, then, he would have to deliver the part that is not excluded and deliver a notice to the applicant in writing that there is a part of the information that was withheld from him, specifying in writing the specific exception in this law upon which the employee in charge has relied to with hold the requested information. C. If the request is made to get the information and the information is available at the source in another language or in a different way from what is required, then, it would be sufficient to simply hand over the requested information in the language or form in which the two are available as long as they contain the required information." 2: "<...> The cost of access to information: It is the actual cost incurred to portray or copy the information required on paper or electronically excluding the cost of any staff time it takes to arrange these copies and highlighted or moved. <...>"	Art 19 - this is not mentioned explicitly, but it suggests that fees are contingent on copying. This is reinforced by the language of Art 2 under "cost of accessing information".
Zimbabwe	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	YES	2	17 (3) An applicant shall pay, in addition to the access fees prescribed in terms of this section, an additional fee for any time reasonably required in excess of the prescribed hours to search for and prepare the information requested. (4) Fees prescribed in terms of this section may reasonably allow for— (a) the cost of making a copy of the information in any form referred to in section 13; (b) the time reasonably required to search for information and preparation of information; (c) the costs of translation where a request is made that information released be made available in a language other than a language in which it is already held by the entity; (d) payment for the inspection of any records.	No fee for filing a request is mentioned among the fees which may be charged
Cape Verde	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	Partially	1	N/A	Not mentioned but some benefit of doubt given since it does not appear to be provided for either.
Gambia	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	Partially	1	12(1) A person who wishes to access information under this Act may make a request in writing to the Information Officer of the concerned publid body: (2) A request under sub-section (1) shall be accompanied by such reproduction cost as may be prescribed.	While no fees for requests are mentioned (only fees for reproduction), the fact that reproduction fees have to be paid at the point of request is illegitimate (it is also impractical to pay fees for reproduction at the point of the request, when estimations for the fees for reproduction have not even been made yet).
Ghana	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	Partially	1	N/A	Not clear; no fee mentioned but also no provision saying free to file
Ivory Coast	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	Partially	1	N/A	Not mentioned.
Kuwait	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	Partially	1	Reg. 4. The person has the right, upon acceptance of their application, to peruse the information without paying a fee. They are also entitled to obtain the documents after payment of a fee amounting to five Dinars for each document for which the number of papers does not exceed ten. Half a Dinar shall be added for each additional paper.	Not mentioned but some benefit of doubt given especially since perusal of information is free.
Kyrgyzstan	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	Partially	1	Not mentioned.	Not mentioned, but some benefit of the doubt given.
Lebanon	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	Partially	1	Article 18: The means of accessing administrative documents: A – Access to administrative documents shall occur for free at their location unless that is not possible for reasons related to the physical preservation of the document. B – Acquisition of a copy of the requested document by the person concerned shall occur at his own expense. However, the expense shall not exceed the cost of reproduction or photocopying or the cost stipulated by law. If the document is electronic or an audio or visual recording, the person concerned may request, at his own expense, a printed copy or an audio, visual, or electronic recording of it. The electronic document may be emailed for free to the person concerned.	This is not specifically mentioned, but seems suggested by the fact that inspection and email versions of the information are free.
Malta	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	Partially	1	Art. 9. "(1) Subject to subarticle (2) and to any regulations issued under this Act, a public authority may charge a fee to an applicant for access to a document in accordance with this Act."	It is free to file a request although the request shall include the fees to be paid for accessing the document.
Moldova	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	Partially	1	11. Obligations of information providers (1) The information providers, within their competence, are obliged: 2) to provide free access to information.	Not clear that "free" here refers to costs or open access.
Monaco	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	Partially	1	56 Les formulaires dont l’usage est nécessaire pour accomplir une démarche auprès d’une autorité mentionnée à l’article 2 sont tenus gratuitement à la disposition du public, sous forme numérique.	Not really mentioned but electronic forms are free and some benefit of doubt given.
Morocco	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	Partially	1	5(1) A l'exception des services rémunérés conformément aux textes réglementaires en vigueur, l'accès à l'information est gratuit.	There are some exceptions to this and, according to the reviewer, they are not very clear.
Nepal	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	Partially	1	8. Fee for information: (1) Applicant shall pay fee as prescribed while requesting information pursuant with Section 7. Provided that, if different fees are prescribed for any specific information in the prevailing law, it shall be collected accordingly.	All applications to government offices in Nepal must be filed with a 10 rp postage stamp attached, so it's not completely free, but cost is very low.
Qatar	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	Partially	1	Not mentioned	Not mentioned, but some benefit of the doubt given. The online form for submitting information requests does not appear to require payment: https://www.acta.gov.qa/ar-qa/Pages/InfoRight.aspx
Republic of Belarus	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	Partially	1	Article 22. Means of dissemination and (or) provision of publicly accessible information by a state body Dissemination and (or) provision of publicly accessible information shall be carried out free of charge, unless otherwise established by legislative acts of the Republic of Belarus.	In theory free of charge, but other legislative acts can state otherwise
Saint Kitts and Nevis	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	Partially	1	12	Does not explicitly rule this out but fees are only referred to for communicating information
San Marino	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	Partially	1	28(1). Access is exercised at the choice of the requester, taking into account the technical possibilities of the Administration, in one or more of the following ways, without prejudice to particular methods of access provided for by special regulations: a) by free consultation on the premises of the office that keeps the records, provided its state of preservation permits; b) by copy as long as it does not damage the document, or is not prohibited for certain acts and documents by special rules. The cost of the copy shall be borne by the applicant and may not exceed the cost of reproduction. At the request of the interested party, copies shall be certified; c) by free electronic mail if the document is available in an electronic format that guarantees the un-modifiability of its content.	Although the legislation specifies in-situ consultation is "free", it does not explicitly stipulate that requests are free.
South Korea	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	Partially	1	17(1) Expenses incurred in disclosing information and mailing disclosed information, etc. shall be borne by applicants within the scope of actual expenses.	Not mentioned but some benefit of doubt given.
Sudan	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	Partially	1	N/A	Not mentioned but some benefit of doubt given
Zambia	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	Partially	1	Not mentioned
Canada	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	NO	0	(1) Subject to this section, a person who makes a request for access to a record under this Act may be required to pay (...).
Cyprus	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	NO	0	"Article 11 (Fees) 11.-(1) Δημόσια αρχή στην οποία υποβάλλεται αίτηση για πληροφόρηση δύναται, εντός της καθοριζόμενης δυνάμει του εδαφίου (1) του άρθρου 12 προθεσμίας να κοινοποιήσει γραπτώς στον αιτητή το ποσό των καταβλητέων από αυτόν τελών για ικανοποίηση της αίτησής του, τα οποία καθορίζονται σε Κανονισμούς ή σε ειδικό νόμο όπως προβλέπεται στο εδάφιο (3). (2) Σε περίπτωση που δημόσια αρχή κοινοποιεί στον αιτητή τα τέλη που απαιτείται να καταβάλει, όπως προβλέπεται στο εδάφιο (1), αυτή απαλλάσσεται από την υποχρέωση που προβλέπεται στο εδάφιο (1) του άρθρου 8, εκτός αν τα εν λόγω τέλη καταβληθούν εντός τριών (3) μηνών από την ημέρα που η δημόσια αρχή προέβηκε στην πιο πάνω κοινοποίηση. (3) Η δημόσια αρχή υπολογίζει το ύψος οποιουδήποτε τέλους με βάση Κανονισμούς οι οποίοι δύναται ειδικότερα να προβλέπουν, μεταξύ άλλων, ότι - (α) Κανένα τέλος δεν επιβάλλεται σε ειδικές περιπτώσεις οι οποίες καθορίζονται ρητά στους Κανονισμούς· (β) οποιοδήποτε τέλος που καθορίζεται από δημόσια αρχή δεν υπερβαίνει το ποσό που καθορίζεται στους Κανονισμούς ή που υπολογίζεται με βάση τους Κανονισμούς· και (γ) οποιοδήποτε τέλος υπολογίζεται κατά τον τρόπο που καθορίζεται στους Κανονισμούς: Νοείται ότι, σε περίπτωση που σε ειδικό νόμο, περιλαμβάνονται διατάξεις αναφορικά με τα τέλη που δύναται να επιβάλει δημόσια αρχή για την παροχή πληροφοριών δυνάμει αυτού, δεν εκδίδονται Κανονισμοί αναφορικά με τις πληροφορίες στις οποίες εφαρμόζονται οι διατάξεις του εν λόγω νόμου."	Unclear. Authorities have right to apply fees.
East Timor	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	NO	0	N/A	Not mentioned.
Fiji	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	NO	0	Article 6(3) A request made under subsection (1) must - [...] (f) be accompanied by such fee as prescribed by regulations made under this Act.	Seems fairly clear that you need to pay to make a request.
India	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	NO	0	Article 6(1) A person, who desires to obtain any information under this Act, shall make a request in writing or through electronic means in English or Hindi or in the official language of the area in which the application is being made, accompanying such fee as may be prescribed, to - (a) the Central Public Information Officer or State Public Information Officer, as the case may be, of the concerned public authority; (b) the Central Assistant Public Information Officer or State Assistant Public Information Officer, as the case may be, specifying the particulars of the information sought by him or her: Provided that where such request cannot be made in writing, the Central Public Information Officer or State Public Information Officer, as the case may be, shall render all reasonable assistance to the person making the request orally to reduce the same in writing.	6(1) allows for access fees, to be paid with the request.
Israel	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	NO	0	18(1) The Minister of Justice, with the approval of the Knesset Constitution, Law, and Justice Committee, shall institute regulations setting fees for information requests, and for the actions involved in locating the requested information, and providing it under this law; the various types of information and requesting parties shall be taken into account in setting the fees.
Japan	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	NO	0	16 (Fees) (1) The person who makes a Disclosure Request, and the person who obtains the disclosure of Administrative Documents shall, pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet Order, pay a fee pertaining to the Disclosure Request and a fee pertaining to the implementation of disclosure of an amount specified within the scopes of actual costs by a Cabinet Order respectively.	Article 16(1).
Palau	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	NO	0	Section 9(b) All governing bodies shall develop procedures in order to promptly comply with the ten (10) days requirement. The person requesting access to public records shall bear the reasonable cost associated with the production.	"Reasonable fee" might include a fee for filing, especially since this is being left up to each public authority.
Seychelles	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	NO	0	9(2) A request under subsection (1) shall be accompanied by such fee as may be prescribed.	Need to pay just to make a request.
South Africa	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	NO	0	2001 Regulations Relating to the Promotion of Access to Information, 3(2) The request fee payable by every requester, other than a personal requester, referred to in section 22(1) of the Act, is R 35,00. 5(2) The request fee payable by every requester, other than a personal requester, referred to in section 54(1) of the Act, is R 50,00.
South Sudan	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	NO	0		12 implies there are no requesting fees, but this is not explicit.
Taiwan	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	NO	0	A government agency may charge a fee according to the purpose of requesting the government information, when making available or providing such information in accordance with this Law. The fees may be reduced or waived if the applicant requests the government information for academic research or public interest use. The fees as referred to in paragraph 1 shall include the costs of searching, examining, copying and duplicating the government information. The standard of such fees shall be made by each respective government agency.	No - Art 22
Tajikistan	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	NO	0	No mention of fees, but in the absence of any enumeration on the subject this review cannot assume that all requesting procedures are free.
Tanzania	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	NO	0	N/A	Not mentioned.
Uganda	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	NO	0	Reg. 7 Access fee (1) The requester shall pay a non refundable access fee set out in Schedule 3 when requesting for a record from a public body. (2) Upon receipt of the access fee, the information officer shall issue to the requester a signed and stamped acknowledgement slip in Form 2 set out in schedule 2. (3) Where the information requested for is in the public interest or where the disclosure of the information is likely to benefit a large section of the public, the prescribed access fee shall be waived.	No - Reg. 7
Uzbekistan	It is free to file requests.	Score: No=0, Yes=2 points	2	NO	0	N/A	Not mentioned and apparently some public authorities do charge fees.

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