Context
The Copernicus Connect QGIS plugin marks a new step in making Copernicus data more accessible to practitioners. Developed as a QGIS extension, it offers direct access to the extensive range of Copernicus datasets available through WEkEO. Rather than relying on large-scale infrastructures, the plugin brings map layers and datasets straight into the familiar QGIS environment.
With Copernicus Connect, users can:
Search data with intuitive visual tools
Define precise areas of interest
Visualize Copernicus map layers
Download datasets more reliably
This approach supports applications at local and regional scales, where Copernicus information can directly benefit environmental monitoring, urban planning, and many other geospatial projects.
By integrating smoothly into existing workflows, Copernicus Connect complements the broader Copernicus ecosystem and empowers a wide range of users to take full advantage of Earth observation data.
Without any further ado, let's see how to use the Copernicus Connect plugin! 💪
📌 Note: A dedicated User Manual for this plugin is available via the Copernicus Connect GitHub Wiki.
Preliminary steps
Install Copernicus Connect
Typically there are 2 methods to install plugins on QGIS, either:
Via a
.zipfile (more information on GitHub)Searching and installing it via Plugins > Manage and Install Plugins
📌 Note: for more installation details, you can check the GitHub readme.
Enter WEkEO credentials
In order to use the Copernicus Connect plugin, you need to enter your WEkEO credentials (create an account for free!). If they are correct, they will be saved in a .hdarc file in your home directory.
📌 Note: if you encounter a login issue, please check and modify if necessary your credentials in the .hdarc file.
Accept T&Cs
If not already done with your WEkEO account, you have to accept the Terms and Conditions of each Copernicus Service you want to use datasets from:
Main features of Copernicus Connect
Search for Copernicus datasets
All datasets from the WEkEO catalogue are accessible directly from the plugin, listed in the dropdown menu on the top.
You can enter keywords in the free-text search bar to filter the results and find your dataset of interest:
Some tips about research:
snow+cover means that the search will look for the terms snow AND cover
snow|cover searches for snow OR cover
"snow cover" searches for the exact expression snow cover
Request data
In the Copernicus Connect plugin (Copernicus Data Space), select the Datasets tab:
By clicking on Show query parameters, you can display the available input fields for your request, knowing that:
The parameters are dynamic and may differ from dataset to dataset
Fields marked with a red asterisk (*) are mandatory and must be filled before sending a request
In the plugin, you can define the bbox (bounding box) to restrict your search to a specific geographic area. You can do this in three ways:
Enter coordinates manually (N, S, E, W)
Use Draw bounding box to draw an area directly on the map canvas
Use Select canvas/layer to copy to copy the extent from an existing map layer or the current canvas
Additional fields (e.g., Mission / Satellite, Product Type, Publication date) depend on the selected dataset
Once the parameters are set, click on Request Data to submit the query.
📌 Note: You can also request data using the same parameters as downloading from the Expert Data Viewer or consuming the HDA API.
Download data
When data is requested, you have the possibility to review the list of available files:
From here you can:
Select and deselect all files, or choose individual files by ticking the checkboxes
Click on Download to start downloading the selected files
Choose Folder to define the target download location
Open Folder to open the folder where files are downloaded
Cancel the current request or download process
At the bottom of the window, you can follow the download progress with a percentage bar and the Status message.
Visualize data via WMS/WMTS
Once a product is selected, you can go on the WMS/WMTS tab and choose a dataset in the provided list. The plugin will connect automatically via WMS/WMTS to the data, enabling direct data visualization on QGIS without download:
You can add WMS/WMTS layers to your QGIS project in two ways, either:
Double-click the desired layer in the list
Select the layer and click on Add to Layers
In addition, you can use the Filter layers textbox to quickly narrow down the list:
Type a full or partial layer name to filter the available layers
Matching text will be highlighted in the list to help you spot results
💡WEkEO Pro Tip: The Selected Layer panel shows details (title and QGIS URI) for the currently highlighted layer, so you can verify you’re adding the correct service/layer before loading it.
What's next?
Additional resources can be found in our Help Center. Should you require further assistance or wish to provide feedback, feel free to contact us through a chat session available in the bottom right corner of the page.