An API key is a unique credential used to authenticate your identity when making requests to Europeana’s APIs, for example, to search for cultural heritage items and their metadata.
We offer two types of API keys, depending on your use case: personal and project keys. Personal keys are intended for individual exploration of the API. It can be used to browse the available content, experiment with endpoints, and test the application as it's being developed or prepared to meet the requirements for a project key. Project keys are intended for people who rely on the Europeana APIs to deliver a service or support a specific operational need.
How to register for a personal API Key
- Log in to your account.
- On the ‘My Profile’ page, click the arrow located on the right-hand side of your username, and select ‘Manage API key’ from the dropdown menu. Alternatively, navigate to the ‘more info’ section, located at the bottom of any web page on Europeana.eu and click ‘Register for an API key’ to access the API management page.
- Check the box ‘I confirm that I have read and accept the API key terms of use’ located under ‘Personal API key.’
- Click the ‘Request a personal API key’ button, and you will be automatically assigned one.
To disable the personal API key, click on the three dots on the right-hand side of your personal API key and click ‘Disable key.’ The key will be immediately disabled. To re-enable this API key, please email api@europeana.eu or use the feedback button at the bottom of the window. Each user can have one active personal API key at a time. Once you disable it, you can request a new one.
How to register for a project API Key
- Log in to your account.
- On the My Profile page, click the arrow located on the right-hand side of your username, and select ‘Manage API key’ from the dropdown menu. Alternatively, navigate to the ‘more info’ section located at the bottom of any web page on Europeana.eu and click ‘Register for an API key’ to access the API management page.
- Fill out and submit the form in the ‘Project API keys’ section. Our API management team will be in touch to review your needs and evaluate your request.
To disable the project API key, click on the three dots on the right-hand side of your project API key and click ‘Disable key.’ The key will be immediately disabled. To re-enable this API key, please email api@europeana.eu or use the feedback button at the bottom of the window. Each user can have multiple active project API keys at the same time.