Overview

The Open Government Netherlands API (data.overheid.nl) provides free access to Dutch government datasets through a SPARQL and REST interface, covering topics like legislation, geography, public finance, and environmental data. No authentication is required for read access, so you can start querying immediately. It is one of the most technically advanced open government portals in Europe, supporting linked data formats alongside JSON.

Beginner Tip

For straightforward JSON access, use the CKAN API at https://data.overheid.nl/data/api/3/action/package_search to search datasets. If you want to explore linked government data, the SPARQL endpoint at https://data.overheid.nl/sparql is also available.

Available Data

The kind of data this API exposes, based on its documentation. We could not call the endpoint to confirm the exact field names.

Response fields: overheid nl
Open Government, Netherlands data via REST API

Example Response

Illustrative shape only — we were not able to call this endpoint (it requires credentials or exposes no public sample URL), so the fields below show the kind of data this API returns rather than a recorded response.

JSON Response · Illustrative
{
  "status": "success",
  "data": {
    "result": "Data from Open Government, Netherlands",
    "description": "Netherlands Government Open Data",
    "timestamp": "2025-01-15T10:00:00Z"
  }
}

Field Reference

success Whether the CKAN API request was processed without errors
result.count Total number of Dutch government datasets matching the query
result.results[].title Dataset title, typically in Dutch
result.results[].organization Dutch government body responsible for the dataset
result.results[].resources Available data files and API endpoints for the dataset
result.results[].license_title Open license name under which the dataset is published

Implementation Example

Calls a real endpoint of this API. Replace any placeholder credentials with your own key.

Request
const url = "https://data.overheid.nl/data/api/3/action/package_search?q=milieu&rows=5";
const response = await fetch(url);
if (!response.ok) throw new Error(`Request failed: ${response.status}`);
const data = await response.json();
console.log(data);

What Can You Build?

Note: These code examples are AI-generated and unverified. Always refer to the official API documentation for accurate usage.

Common Errors & Troubleshooting

Generated guidance based on this API's documentation, not observed by us. Treat it as a starting point and check against the provider's own error reference.

Response is in Dutch only Metadata fields like title and description are provided in Dutch by default
Accept Dutch-language responses and use a translation API if needed, or filter by dataset tags in English where available
400 Bad Request on SPARQL endpoint The SPARQL query has a syntax error or references a non-existent graph URI
Validate your SPARQL query using an online validator before sending, and start with a simple SELECT * WHERE {} LIMIT 10 to confirm connectivity
result.count is lower than expected Some datasets are restricted to registered government publishers and not publicly listed
Use filters like fq=res_format:JSON to narrow your search to publicly available datasets in a specific format

Metadata Score Breakdown

Estimated from metadata — endpoint not independently tested

This score is estimated from observable metadata — HTTPS support, authentication model, declared CORS, and documentation reachability — because the API requires authentication or exposes no publicly testable endpoint. The five-signal breakdown is only shown for live-tested APIs.

Metadata estimate · endpoint not independently tested

Technical Specifications

Auth No Auth
HTTPS REQUIRED
CORS UNKNOWN
Category Government
Difficulty Beginner
Listing details not endpoint-verified

Similar APIs

View All →