Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy

What Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy does

The Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy (Bundesamt für Kartographie und Geodäsie, BKG) is a German federal government agency operating under the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community (BMI). It serves as the national authority for cartography and geodesy, providing official geobasisdata of Germany — including digital topographic maps (DTK, scales 1:25,000 to 1:1,000,000), Digital Landscape Models (DLM), Digital Terrain Models (DGM in resolutions 1m to 1000m), Digital Orthophotos at 20cm ground resolution, 3D building models (LoD2-DE), administrative boundaries (Verwaltungsgebiete), and geodetic reference data. BKG operates the Geodatenzentrum (Geodata Center) which functions as the e-commerce service platform, and serves as the Zentrale Stelle Geotopographie (ZSGT) consolidating state-level surveying data on behalf of the AdV. It runs the Wettzell Observatory, an international geodetic facility, and contributes to EU Earth observation through the Copernicus programme and the Satellite-Based Crisis and Situation Service (SKD).

The technical platform is built on international OGC standards: WMS, WFS, WMTS, and WCS web services for map display and geodata download, plus INSPIRE-compliant services for the European spatial data infrastructure. Specialized web applications include a coordinate transformation tool, historical place names, Map on Demand, a viewer ('Karten des BKG'), GeocoderPlus, and QGIS BKG Geocoder plugin. Notable joint federal-state products include basemap.de (uniform nationwide cartography) and TopPlusOpen.

Revenue and access follow a hybrid model. Many products are provided free of charge under the Geodatenzugangsgesetz (GeoZG) as Open Data, including basemap.de, small-scale geodata, and INSPIRE-compliant web services. Licensing of state geobasisdata — DTM, orthophotos, digital landscape and topographic maps, geocoding — operates under the AdV-Gebührenrichtlinie (AdV-GR 4.0.1) with tiered fees varying by usage right (internal use, external use, with/without affiliated companies); examples include €1,000 per year for DTK25 single-license internal use, €8,000 for DGM1, and €6,000 for geocoding. Printed maps and thematic maps are sold via book trade domestically and internationally at €10.90 to €19.90. Primary customers are federal and state government authorities, federal funding recipients (Zuwendungsempfänger des Bundes), European institutions via INSPIRE, and the general public for Open Data.

Name

Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy

Legal name

Bundesamt für Kartographie und Geodäsie

Website

https://gdz.bkg.bund.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy (BKG) is a German federal agency providing official geobasisdata, digital topographic maps, terrain and landscape models, and standardized OGC/INSPIRE web services to federal and state authorities and European institutions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Government Geospatial Data Services

NAICS

Surveying and Mapping (except Geophysical) Services (54137)

akta.pro primary industry

Mapping & Basemap Platforms (Tiles/SDKs) (BPAMANAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Satellite Imagery & Remote Sensing Geospatial Platforms (BPAMANAM)

Keywords

• Geospatial data services
• Official geobasisdata
• Digital cartography
• Geodetic reference data
• INSPIRE-compliant services

Headquarters

HQ city

Frankfurt

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Geodata and Web Services Licensing: Revenue from licensing geobasisdata products including digital topographic maps, landscape models, terrain models, and orthophotos. Fees are regulated by the AdV-Gebührenrichtlinie (AdV-GR) and vary by product type and usage rights (internal use, external use, resale, sublicensing).
2. Open Data / Free Services: Many products are provided free of charge according to the Geodatenzugangsgesetz (GeoZG), including small-scale geodata and web services in the public interest.
3. Printed Maps and Publications: Sale of printed maps, wall maps, and themed maps through book trade and BKG publications. Distributed domestically and internationally through book retailers.
4. Software Licensing: Licensing of specialized software products including GeocoderPlus and QGIS BKG Geocoder plugin for geocoding of official addresses.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

BKG provides official geobasisdata and cartographic products for Germany, including digital topographic maps, terrain models, orthophotos, landscape models, administrative boundaries, and 3D building models. The agency operates the Geodatenzentrum e-commerce platform for distribution, INSPIRE-compliant web services for European interoperability, geocoding software (GeocoderPlus, QGIS plugin), and operates the Wettzell geodetic observatory for global reference frame maintenance.

Product overview

The BKG Geodatenzentrum operates as a comprehensive geodata service platform offering free geodata (small-scale) under the Geodatenzugangsgesetz and state geobasis data (large-scale) through the Zentrale Stelle Geotopographie (ZSGT). The product portfolio centers on digital geodata products including basemap.de (jointly developed topographic cartography), Digital Terrain Models (DGM in resolutions 1m-1000m), Digital Landscape Models (DLM250, DLM1000), Digital Orthophotos (DOP20 at 20cm resolution), and Digital Topographic Maps (DTK in scales 1:25,000 to 1:1,000,000). Supporting products include administrative areas (VG), geodetic reference data, TopPlusOpen products for European/worldwide coverage, 3D building models (LoD2-DE), and official building coordinates. The platform provides INSPIRE-compliant data services for the European spatial data infrastructure, Open Data access, standardized OGC web services (WMS, WMTS, WFS, WCS), interactive atlases for drought/heat/flood/wildfire monitoring, web applications including map viewers, coordinate transformation, geocoding (GeocoderPlus, QGIS plugin), and printed/thematic maps. The offering follows OGC and INSPIRE international standards for geographic data interoperability.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• basemap.de: Jointly developed topographic map product by the federal and state governments, provided through the ZSGT, offering uniform nationwide cartographic representation based on official geobasis data
• Geoportal.de
• INSPIRE

Products and services

• basemap.de A jointly developed topographic cartographic system by federal and state governments providing nationwide uniform map representation based on official geobasis data, available in vector and raster web map formats with zoom levels from individual buildings to Germany overview.
• Digital Terrain Models (DGM) Digital terrain models describing terrain forms through georeferenced point sets in regular grids, available in various resolutions from 1m to 1000m grid spacing. Generated via Laserscanning measurement procedures by state surveying authorities.
• Digital Landscape Models (DLM) Digital landscape models describing topographic objects of the landscape and terrain relief in vector format, including Basis-DLM, DLM250, and DLM1000, with nationwide unique identification numbers.
• Digital Orthophotos (DOP) Distortion-free and georeferenced aerial images with 20cm ground resolution combined into nationwide datasets, scale-true and combinable with maps or specialized data.
• Digital Topographic Maps (DTK) Digital topographic maps produced in standard cartographic scales in raster format, available in scales from 1:25,000 to 1:1,000,000.
• Administrative Areas (VG) Administrative units of all hierarchical administrative levels from state to municipalities, including boundaries, statistical key numbers, and names, at scales from 1:1,000 to 1:5,000,000.
• Geodetic Reference Data Geodetic reference data including quasigeoid models, gravity data from aerogravimetry, and mean sea level data for North and Baltic Seas.
• INSPIRE Data and Services INSPIRE-compliant geodata and services for the European spatial data infrastructure, including geographical names, hydrography, land cover, protected sites, transport networks, administrative units, elevation, and statistical units.
• Interactive Atlases Interactive web applications combining spatially-related information from various sources, including Dürreatlas (drought), Hitzeatlas (heat), Hochwasseratlas (flood), and Waldbrandatlas (forest fire), with some providing daily-updated content.
• Open Data Portal Free geodata and web services, INSPIRE-compliant web services, and map downloads provided under open data terms under Geodatenzugangsgesetz (GeoZG). Contains 107 products including 3D tiles, basemap products, CORINE Land Cover data, and digital topographic maps.
• Web Services (OGC-compliant) OGC-compliant web services (WMS, WMTS, WFS, WCS) for map display and geodata download, enabling integration into GIS systems and web applications.
• GeocoderPlus Desktop application for geocoding official and postal addresses, place names, street names, or postal codes.
• QGIS BKG Geocoder QGIS plugin for BKG Geocoder enabling geocoding functionality within the QGIS environment.
• Karten des BKG (BKG Maps) Map viewer web application providing overview of standardized web services offered by the service center.
• Coordinate Transformation Web application for immediate conversion of coordinates between common georeference systems within Germany.
• Map on Demand (MoD) Web application for producing print-ready maps and map excerpts.
• Historical Place Names Web application for searching historical place names.
• Sat4Bund Information portal for obtaining licensed commercial satellite image data and external web applications for research and delivery.
• Printed Maps Printed folded and wall maps available through bookstores, covering Germany at scales from 1:250,000 to 1:1,000,000. Pricing ranges from €10.90 to €19.90.
• Thematic Maps Thematic Germany, Europe, and world maps with optional GeoPDF features covering various topic areas.
• TopPlusOpen Products Map products providing uniform cartographic representation at various detail levels from worldwide overview to detailed city maps in Germany, provided free of charge under open data terms.
• Official Building Coordinates (HK-DE) Official building coordinates defining the precise spatial position of addressed buildings across Germany.
• 3D Building Models LoD2-DE Three-dimensional digital building models covering all of Germany with standardized roof forms oriented according to actual ridge alignment.

Quantifiable outcome

• 107 Open Data products available free of charge
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AdV - Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Vermessungsverwaltungen der Länder (Working Committee of State Surveying Authorities)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBKG collaborates with all German state surveying authorities through AdV. BKG serves as Zentrale Stelle Geotopographie (ZSGT) on behalf of AdV, consolidating state geobasisdata into nationwide datasets. The partnership standardizes products according to AdV product specifications and fee guidelines (AdV-Gebührenrichtlinie).
• European Union INSPIRE DirectivecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBKG provides INSPIRE-compliant geodata services contributing to the European spatial data infrastructure (INSPIRE - Infrastructure for Spatial Information in Europe). This is a regulatory requirement ensuring interoperability of spatial data across Europe.
• Zentrale Stelle Geotopographie (ZSGT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAs ZSGT, BKG provides centralized access to state geobasisdata products (large-scale data) on behalf of the Länder. This consolidates the fragmented state-level data into a unified service platform.
• Observatorium Wettzell (Wettzell Observatory)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBKG operates the Wettzell Observatory in Bavaria, a key geodetic observatory contributing to global navigation satellite systems, satellite laser ranging, and very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) measurements.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Swisstopo (Federal Office of Topography): Swisstopo is Switzerland's federal office for topography, providing official geobasisdata, terrain models, national maps, and web services (e.g., map.geo.admin.ch). Comparable to BKG as a federal geographic authority operating a self-service e-commerce platform and INSPIRE-compliant services.
• Kadaster (Netherlands Land Registry and Mapping Agency): Kadaster is the Netherlands' cadastral, mapping, and land registry agency maintaining authoritative geospatial and administrative boundary data, including PDOK open data platform and INSPIRE-compliant services. Directly comparable to BKG's mandate and digital service delivery model.
• Ordnance Survey: Ordnance Survey is Great Britain's national mapping agency providing authoritative geospatial data, master maps, terrain models, and address products. Comparable to BKG as a government-sanctioned source of geobasisdata with licensing fees, Open Data offerings, and OS Vector Tile / WMS-style web services.
• Kartverket (Norwegian Mapping Authority): Kartverket is Norway's national agency for mapping, cadastre, and geodesy, producing authoritative geobasisdata, geodetic reference frames, and INSPIRE-compliant services. Direct functional peer to BKG in delivering official national geospatial infrastructure for a European country.
• Maanmittauslaitos (National Land Survey of Finland): Maanmittauslaitos is Finland's national land survey agency producing topographic databases, laser-scanned elevation models, and INSPIRE-compliant open data. Directly comparable to BKG as a small-EU-state federal mapping authority with a strong Open Data and OGC-services orientation.
• Lantmäteriet (Swedish mapping authority): Lantmäteriet is Sweden's land-mapping, cadastral, and geodetic authority providing official geobasisdata, INSPIRE-compliant services, and property information. Comparable to BKG in mandate, Open Data strategy, and delivery of OGC-compliant web services across an entire national territory.
• Institut national de l'information géographique et forestière (IGN): IGN is France's national mapping agency producing authoritative geobasisdata (BD TOPO, BD FORET, RGE alti, LiDAR HD), OGC-compliant web services, and INSPIRE-compliant datasets. Operates as a government technical institute analogous to BKG's role in Germany, including 3D building models and nationwide coverage.
• United States Geological Survey (USGS): USGS is the United States' federal civilian mapping, geology, and Earth-observation agency. It produces official national geospatial datasets, topographic maps (US Topo), 3D elevation programs (3DEP), and operates Earth observation networks — directly comparable to BKG's role as Germany's federal cartography and geodesy authority.

Broad incumbents

• European Environment Agency (EEA): EEA operates at the EU level and oversees Copernicus land monitoring, environmental geospatial data dissemination, and INSPIRE coordination. Broader supranational counterpart to BKG's Copernicus, INSPIRE, and remote-sensing service lines, particularly relevant to Earth-observation products.

Others

• HERE Technologies: HERE is a leading commercial provider of geospatial mapping, location platform services, and basemap tiles used widely in automotive, logistics, and enterprise GIS. Adjacent/commercial counterpart to BKG's basemap.de and OGC web services — operates in the same broader category but as a private-sector platform rather than an official authority.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/BKG_Bund
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCxn4_4Dc5ZtZNjFFO5vK2_Q
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bundesamt-f%C3%BCr-kartographie-und-geod%C3%A4sie-bkg
• Facebookfacebook.com/258446917514168

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy