The new federal law enshrining the principle of freedom of information in public administration (Öffentlichkeitsgesetz, BGÖ) came into force on 1 July 2006. According to this law, unless there are overriding public or private interests that would speak against such a disclosure, everyone now has right of access to official documents in public administration. This right can be claimed by anyone, irrespective of nationality or place of residence. Nor do any particular reasons have to be given.

All documents created after 1 July 2006 can be viewed.

Should you be interested in seeing an official document that falls within the remit of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), please submit your request to the following address:

Eidgenössisches Departement für auswärtige Angelegenheiten (EDA) 
Direktion für Ressourcen (DR) 
Beratungsstelle Datenschutz und Oeffentlichkeitsprinzip EDA
CH-3003 Bern
E-mail:  oeffentlichkeitsprinzip@eda.admin.ch


To facilitate the identification of the desired document, your request should be as detailed as possible. The following information should be provided, if known:
• the title
• the policy area concerned
• the authority that created the document
• the reference
• a specific period or the date created

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask us.