On 27 May 2026, with the exception of certain provisions, Act No. 60/2026 Coll., on Data Governance, Managed Access to Data and on Amendments to Certain Related Acts (the Data Governance and Managed Access to Data Act), came into effect. This Act establishes an institutional and procedural framework in the Czech legal system for the application of Regulation (EU) 2022/868 of the European Parliament and of the Council on European data governance (Data Governance Act, DGA) and, at the same time, introduces comprehensive rules for data governance in the public sector.
The main objective of the Act is to create a unified framework for data governance in public administration, increase awareness of the data recorded by public administration and enable its more efficient, secure and repeated use. The Act is based on the principle that data constitutes a separate asset independent of the specific information system in which it is maintained. It therefore imposes new obligations on data administrators, i.e. administrators of public administration information systems, in the areas of recording, cataloguing and describing data through metadata, data dictionaries and data catalogues. The aim is to create a unified data governance system across public administration and to support the interoperability of individual information systems.
One of the most significant new features is the introduction of the concept of “managed access to data”, which will allow authorised applicants to obtain access, under specified conditions, to certain public sector data that cannot be published as open data. This mechanism is intended to support, in particular, scientific research, education, analytical activities, innovation and public policy-making, without jeopardising the protection of personal data, trade secrets, intellectual property or other protected interests. Access to data will be conditional upon compliance with statutory requirements and an assessment of the legitimacy of the intended use.
The Act also regulates certain aspects of the operation of data intermediation services and creates conditions for the development of so-called data altruism, i.e. the voluntary provision of data by natural and legal persons for purposes of general interest, such as scientific research, healthcare or environmental protection.
In general, the Act applies to data and operational data maintained in public administration information systems, while laying down a number of exemptions. For example, systems used for the purposes of national defence, national security, criminal proceedings, the activities of intelligence services or certain other specific public administration information systems fall outside its scope.
The practical impact of the new legislation should primarily be an increase in the transparency and usability of public sector data, support for data-driven innovation and the creation of better conditions for the development of digital services and tools using artificial intelligence. At the same time, the Act requires data administrators to take a systematic approach to data governance and to establish processes enabling the secure sharing and use of data.
The Digital and Information Agency (DIA) will play an important role, acting as the single information point under the Data Governance Act. The DIA will provide information on the possibilities of accessing data, coordinate the performance of selected agendas under the Act and ensure cooperation with the relevant European structures in the field of data governance and data sharing.
Download Legal Update 06/2026 here.