Open Government, Germany
APIOfficial open data API for Germany’s government datasets
Overview
The Open Government Germany API provides access to metadata and resources from GovData.de, Germany’s official open data catalog. Key endpoints include filterable dataset searches (by category, region, publisher), metadata retrieval (JSON format) for individual datasets, and links to raw data resources (CSV, JSON, XML). It supports RESTful interactions and covers topics like environment, education, transport, and public services. Use cases include building transparency tools, academic research on public policies, integrating civic data into apps, and enabling citizens to access official information easily. The API adheres to open standards for interoperability.
Example Integration (JavaScript)
fetch('https://www.govdata.de/daten/-/details/govdata-metadatenkatalog')
.then(res => res.json())
.then(data => console.log(data))
.catch(err => console.error(err)); Key Features
- RESTful architecture
- JSON metadata responses
- No API key required
- Filterable search endpoints
- Thousands of public datasets
Frequently Asked Questions
? Is Open Government, Germany free to use?
Yes, the API is completely free for both public and commercial use, aligned with Germany’s open data policies.
? Does it require an API Key?
No, the API does not require an API key to access its public endpoints.
? What is the response format?
Metadata responses are primarily in JSON, while linked dataset resources may be in CSV, XML, or other formats depending on the dataset.
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Tool Info
Pros
- ⊕ Free unlimited access
- ⊕ Comprehensive German government data coverage
- ⊕ Structured metadata for easy integration
- ⊕ Compliant with open data standards
Cons
- ⊖ Some datasets only available in German
- ⊖ Rate limits for high-volume requests
- ⊖ Limited real-time data updates
- ⊖ Variable data quality across datasets