Insight from Freedom of Information research: Recommendations for transparency policymaking and practice

Freedom of Information (FOI) laws are essential for promoting a culture of transparency and accountability in public administration, yet their practical impact often falls short of expectations. This article synthesizes findings from two empirical studies analyzing citizen information requests submitted via a German FOI platform. The studies highlight the compliance gap between legal provisions (de jure transparency) and actual organizational behavior (de facto transparency), influenced by variations in FOI laws across Germany's federal states and factors such as request topics and communication tone. Drawing on the findings of this prior research, this article offers recommendations for public managers and policymakers to effectively design and implement FOI. In light of Austria’s late FOI implementation in fall 2025, the article specifically addresses the Austrian use case. The practical implications, however, extend beyond the German and Austrian research context and aim to improve responsiveness, foster a culture of openness in the public sector, and leverage digital tools for FOI usage.