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REPORT (2025/2137(INI))

On public access to documents – report covering the years 2022 - 2024

A-10-2026-0011

Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs · Rapporteur: Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová

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Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text. The paragraph links open the paragraph a statement rests on — check the text itself before relying on it.

This resolution assesses the EU institutions' implementation of public access to documents rules for 2022-2024, highlighting systemic delays, over-classification, and lack of transparency in legislative processes. It calls for modernising the legal framework, including a new Commission proposal, and for institutions to adopt proactive transparency, ensure timely responses, and improve access to legislative and trilogue documents.

Committee position. The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs proposes a resolution reaffirming the fundamental right of access to documents, identifying shortcomings, and calling for concrete improvements in transparency practices across EU institutions.

Key points

  1. Notes that in 2024 the Commission received 6 938 initial requests and 641 confirmatory applications, a 7 % increase in confirmatory applications compared to 2023.
  2. Highlights that the Commission granted partial or full access in 51 % of confirmatory cases in 2022, 85 % in 2023, and 60 % in 2024, indicating failures in initial assessments.
  3. Notes that by 31 December 2024, Parliament's register contained 918 803 references, with a 91 % positive response rate and an average handling time of about nine working days.
  4. Observes that in 2024 the Commission issued 5 542 initial-stage replies and 305 confirmatory replies, while the Council's register held over 527 000 documents, over 72 % public, and it processed over 2 800 requests, granting full or partial access in 85 % of cases.
  5. Notes that in 85 % of reviewed cases the Commission did not decide within legal time limits, and in 60 % the delay exceeded 60 working days.
  6. Expresses concern over over-classification and frequent use of exceptions, calling for strict interpretation and case-by-case assessments.
  7. Calls on the Commission to ensure transparency in comitology, infringement procedures, and EU budget decisions, including funding to non-EU countries.
  8. Regrets the Council's lack of transparency, including limited proactive publication and 'LIMITE' designations, and urges it to improve rules and procedures.
  9. Calls for full transparency in international agreement negotiations, with Parliament immediately and fully informed at all stages under Article 218(10) TFEU.
  10. Welcomes the CJEU judgment in Stevi and The New York Times v Commission, affirming that access extends to all formats, including text messages, and calls for proactive preservation and registration.
  11. Regrets the Commission's withdrawal of its 2008 and 2011 proposals to revise Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 and calls for an updated, more ambitious proposal with sanctions.
  12. Calls for independent oversight of classification, training for staff, and awareness campaigns to inform citizens of their access rights.

Who is affected

  • EU institutions, bodies, offices and agencies, which must improve transparency, meet deadlines, and proactively publish documents.
  • The European Commission, which faces calls to address systemic delays and revise its rules on document management.
  • The Council of the EU, urged to enhance legislative transparency and publish preparatory documents.
  • Citizens and civil society, who will benefit from improved access and awareness campaigns.

Figures and deadlines

  • 6 938 initial requests and 641 confirmatory applications in 2024, a 7 % increase in confirmatory applications compared to 2023.
  • 7 274 initial requests and 599 confirmatory applications in 2023, a 43 % increase compared to 2022.
  • 7 410 initial requests and 418 confirmatory applications in 2022, a 17.8 % increase compared to 2021.
  • 51 % of confirmatory cases in 2022, 85 % in 2023, and 60 % in 2024 resulted in partial or full access.
  • 918 803 references in Parliament's register by 31 December 2024, up from 898 267 at the end of 2023.
  • 91 % positive response rate and about nine working days average handling time in Parliament.
  • 5 542 initial-stage replies and 305 confirmatory replies issued by the Commission in 2024.
  • Over 527 000 documents in the Council's register by end of 2024, with over 72 % publicly available.

Legal basis: Articles 1, 9, 10, 11 and 16 TEU; Article 15 TFEU; Articles 41 and 42 of the Charter