Gemeente Bergen (L)

What Gemeente Bergen (L) does

Gemeente Bergen (L) is a Dutch public-sector municipality located in North Limburg, Netherlands, within the heart of Nationaal Park De Maasduinen. It serves approximately 13,036 residents (as of January 2026) across seven village centers: Afferden, Aijen, Bergen, Nieuw Bergen, Siebengewald, Well, and Wellerlooi. The municipality delivers the full statutory range of local government services including civil registry (births, deaths, marriages), passports and ID cards, driver's licenses, residence permits, building and environmental permits under the Omgevingswet framework, waste collection, road infrastructure, public safety, taxation (WOZ property tax, waste levies), and social support. Beyond core administrative functions, the municipality provides veteran support, refugee reception (including an 80-capacity Crisis Emergency Shelter for Ukrainian displaced persons operational through March 2028), spatial planning (Omgevingsvisie Bergen 2030 covering 10 policy themes including energy independence by 2030), flood protection infrastructure (Maaspark Well, Groene Rivier), and stewardship of natural and cultural assets including Maasheggen hedgerows and the 80-hectare Leukermeer and 130-hectare Reindersmeer recreational water areas.

The municipality's technology footprint is built on a CMS-based public website with multilingual and accessibility support, integrating ReadSpeaker (text-to-speech), SIManalytics (anonymized website analytics), Leaflet (map services), and cookie consent management. Digital service delivery is anchored by the E-loket portal (e-loket.bergen.nl) for permit applications, Woo (Freedom of Information) requests, and complaint filings, complemented by the MijnAfspraakMaken online appointment scheduling system. Additional integrations include VISplanner for fishing permits via local angling clubs, and Banenplein Limburg for job vacancy postings. The technology stack is functional and accessibility-oriented but does not include any proprietary AI/ML capabilities, custom APIs, or developer-facing products.

Gemeente Bergen employs 162 staff and is governed by an elected municipal council, a mayor (Michael Rauner), and three deputy mayors (wethouders) representing KERN, CDA, and VVD parties (sworn in July 2026). Revenue is generated through local taxation, permit fees, recreational fees (fishing, mooring, camping), and intergovernmental transfers — notably 50% provincial co-funding from Provincie Limburg for the Maasheggen restoration and grants for refugee reception. Distribution combines a physical municipal office at Raadhuisstraat 2 in Nieuw Bergen, the E-loket digital portal, the Bezoekerscentrum De Maasduinen visitor center at Well, and village councils (dorpsraden) for grassroots community engagement. Strategic positioning emphasizes community-led governance, energy independence, landscape preservation, and cross-border tourism leveraging the municipality's position along the German border and the Maas river.

Name

Gemeente Bergen (L)

Legal name

Gemeente Bergen (L)

Website

https://bergen.nl

Company type

Public

Founded year

1800

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Gemeente Bergen (L) is a Dutch public-sector municipality in North Limburg serving approximately 13,036 residents across seven villages within Nationaal Park De Maasduinen, delivering statutory municipal services, spatial planning, flood protection, refugee reception, and stewardship of natural and recreational assets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Administration / Municipal Government Services

NAICS

Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning, and Community Development (9251), Administration of Urban Planning and Community and Rural Development (925120), Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (9241)

SIC

Non-Operating Establishments (9995)

akta.pro primary industry

Mayor/City Manager & General Administration (BPAIACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Works & Municipal Infrastructure (Streets, Stormwater, Facilities) (BPAIACAF), Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services (BPAIACAI), Land Administration & Cadastral Services (Public Land Records, Parcel Management) (BPAIANAH), Local Transportation, Parking & Mobility Administration (BPAIACAM)

Keywords

• Municipal government services
• Local public administration
• Civil registry services
• Municipal permits and licensing
• Community public services

Headquarters

HQ city

Nieuw Bergen

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Local government taxation and levies: Gemeente Bergen funds its operations through local taxes (gemeentelijke belastingen) including property taxes (WOZ), waste collection fees, and other municipal levies. Revenue also comes from permit fees, parking fees, and recreational fees (e.g., camping permits, boat moorings).
2. Permit and administrative fees: Fees collected for various municipal services including announcement board permits, camping exemptions, caravan parking exemptions, mooring permits, and construction/environmental permits under the Omgevingswet.
3. Recreational user fees: Revenue from recreational facilities including fishing permits (VISpas via local angling clubs), camping exemption fees, boat mooring licenses, and nature education programs.
4. Government grants and intergovernmental transfers: The municipality receives funding from Provincie Limburg and other national government programs for specific projects such as the Groene Rivier development (provincial co-funding), Maasheggen landscape restoration (province covers 50% of project costs), and refugee reception.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Gemeente Bergen (L) is a Dutch municipal government providing public administration and civil services to approximately 13,036 residents across seven village centers in North Limburg. It delivers statutory municipal functions including civil registry (passports, IDs, driver's licenses, marriage registration, birth/death certificates), permits and licensing (building, environmental, hospitality, fishing, mooring, camping exemptions), local taxation (WOZ property tax, waste fees), spatial and environmental planning under the Omgevingswet, social support, refugee reception, veteran services, waste collection, and infrastructure maintenance. The municipality also stewards natural and recreational assets within Nationaal Park De Maasduinen, including the Reindersmeer and Leukermeer recreational lakes.

Product overview

Gemeente Bergen (L) is a Dutch municipality offering a digital service ecosystem primarily centered around its E-loket (digital counter) portal and appointment scheduling system. The municipality provides administrative services to approximately 13,036 residents across seven village cores. Key digital products include the E-loket for form submissions, the MijnAfspraakMaken appointment system, the announcement board notification workflow, the Woo information request system, and population statistics services. The municipality also operates physical and digital services for tourism/recreation (water sports, fishing, national park activities), refugee shelter (CNO), and various civic functions. The service architecture is modular, combining self-service digital portals with in-person municipal office services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• E-loket (Digital Counter)

Quantifiable outcome

• Population: 13,036 inhabitants (2026)
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Kampergeul BVcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKampergeul BV is a cooperative of four sand and gravel companies (zand- en grindbedrijven) working with Gemeente Bergen on the Maaspark Well project. Kampergeul handles sand extraction operations, producing approximately 16 million m3 of sand, gravel, and other minerals. After extraction, the area is redeveloped — for example, badger habitats have already been established near Aijen and new shores are being created.
• RijkswaterstaatcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational water management authority responsible for the Tracébesluit Zandmaas/Maasroute program, which includes the excavation of two high-water channels in the municipality of Bergen — one near Aijen and one near Well. The channel at Well (De Band) was completed in 2016; the one near Aijen was under construction.
• Provincie LimburgcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvincial government co-financing landscape projects including the Maasheggen restoration (50% of project costs from the 'Gezondste Regio' program) and the Omgevingsvisie Bergen 2030. The province also sold 49 hectares of land to the municipality for the Groene Rivier development for €600,000.
• Waterschap LimburgcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional water authority collaborating on the Groene Rivier project, including dike reinforcement in Well and ecological restoration of the Wellse Molenbeek. Waterschap Limburg's omgevingsmanager noted that 'safety and landscape restoration can work together here and lead to a unique landscape.'
• Gemeente GennepminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner municipality in the Maasheggen restoration project (Herstel en ontwikkeling Maasheggen), working together to preserve and develop the traditional hedgerow landscape across North Limburg.
• Gemeente Mook en MiddelaarminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner municipality in the Maasheggen restoration project, collaborating on hedgerow preservation and development alongside Gemeente Bergen and Gennep.
• Het Limburgs LandschapcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvincial nature conservation organization co-producing the annual tourism magazine 'Bergen, Hart van Nationaal Park De Maasduinen' and organizing excursions and activities in Nationaal Park De Maasduinen. Also a key partner in the Archeo Route Limburg.
• Toeristisch Platform De MaasduinenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTourism platform collaborating with the municipality on the annual magazine and tourism promotion for Nationaal Park De Maasduinen.
• Vereniging Nederlands Cultuurlandschap (VNC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloped the 'Visie Maasheggen 2020' for the municipalities of Bergen and Gennep, providing strategic planning for hedgerow landscape restoration.
• Bezoekerscentrum De MaasduinenminorOthersVisitor center operated at Bosserheide 3E in Well (near Reindersmeer) providing national park information, nature education, and serving as starting point for guided excursions. Managed in cooperation with the municipality.
• Atelier Tomas DirrixcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture firm selected as winner of the Waterpaviljoen design competition (prijsvraag) at Maaspark Well with their 'Parapente' design. The municipality intends to award a follow-up commission to realize the winning design.
• StaatsbosbeheerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational forestry agency responsible for ordering the correct planting stock (plantsoen) through their system for the Maasheggen planting program, as part of the hedgerow restoration project.
• Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel ErfgoedminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational heritage agency that designated the archaeological area between Well and Aijen (part of Maaspark Well) with a provisional monument status (voorlopige monumentenstatus) due to its exceptional archaeological value.
• Sint Antoniusgilde (Well)minorOthersLocal guild from Well that provides ceremonial escort during the May 4 remembrance procession from Jachthut op den Hamer to the Monument der Gevallenen in Wellerlooi.
• Liebesgrün RunningteamminorOthersGerman-Dutch running team with members from the municipality of Bergen, running the liberation flame from Wageningen to Nieuw Bergen for the May 5 Liberation Day celebration at Monument Wings of Freedom.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Gemeente Leudal: Adjacent rural North Limburg municipality of similar population and footprint, facing the same demographic, infrastructure, and provincial-funding dynamics as Bergen.
• Gemeente Horst aan de Maas: Rural North Limburg municipality of comparable population and economic base, also balancing agricultural land use, energy transition, and small-village service delivery.
• Gemeente Peel en Maas: Neighbouring rural municipality in North Limburg with comparable scale, agricultural landscape, and small-village service model.
• Gemeente Roerdalen: Small rural municipality in Limburg with a comparable population, multi-village structure, and reliance on intergovernmental transfers and tourism/recreation revenue.
• Gemeente Gennep: Neighbouring North Limburg municipality partnered with Bergen on Maasheggen restoration; comparable size, rural profile, and Maas-related flood/recreation portfolio, serving as a natural operational peer.
• Gemeente Beesd (West Betuwe): Rural multi-village Gelderland municipality of comparable size that has executed village-driven governance reforms and rural-area digitalisation similar to Bergen's dorpsraden model.
• Gemeente Mook en Middelaar: Small North Limburg municipality collaborating with Bergen and Gennep on Maasheggen; similar rural character, demographic profile, and dependence on provincial/national co-funding.

Broad incumbents

• Gemeente Venlo: Larger municipality in the same North Limburg region, providing a benchmark for service scale, economic base, and provincial relationship management while serving a similar population mix.

Others

• Het Limburgs Landschap: Provincial nature conservation organisation co-producing Bergen's tourism magazine and national-park programming; a key ecosystem partner for landscape and recreation revenue.
• VNG (Vereniging van Nederlandse Gemeenten): Dutch municipal industry association representing all municipalities; enables peer-policy comparison, shared services, and collective bargaining relevant to Bergen's service delivery and funding model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/gemeentebergen
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCYgz4KQaAxbmc6Qq3Y77DSw/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/gemeentebergen
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gemeente-bergen
• Instagraminstagram.com/gemeentebergen_l

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Gemeente Bergen (L)