Internet domain helps companies protect themselves on the Internet and is an effective way to reach new customers. Domain registration is built on a “first come, first served” prinicple. Therefore, it is important to register the domain as soon as possible, preferably at the same time with establishing your company.
Why register .ee domain
The top-level domain with the country code of Estonia (.ee) is the most well-known domain extension in Estonia. The .ee domain name will help you stand out in the local digital landscape and let your customers know that you are active in the Estonian market. In addition, it will help to be more prominent in the Google search engine – .ee addresses will be moved to the top of the list of queries from Estonia. The website is also an important complement to social media channels and helps companies shape their professional image.
Domain also offers value to private individuals. In addition to protecting your internet rights, it can be used to create and e-mail address or website to introduce your activites, projects or events.
Who is eligible to register a .ee domain
- Domains can be owned and registered by private persons, organizations or companies. Foreign companies and private persons can register a .ee domain if the administrative contact of the domain has an Estonian personal identification code.
- Each registrant can register an unlimited number of domains.
- The prerequisite for domain registration is that the corresponding name is not registered, i.e. it is free
- Companies can register domain names for all of their trademarks.
- When registering a domain, you must check that you do not infringe the rights of others.
- Domains can be registered for 3, 6 or 9 months and 1-10 years at a time.
Choosing and checking the domain name
Before registering a domain name, make sure that the domain name you want is available. You cannot register two identical domains. Check domain availability on the homepage of the Estonian Internet Foundation at www.internet.ee.
In addition, the Estonian Internet Foundation is also bringing deleted domains to the market through the Auction Portal at https://auction.internet.ee. Deleted domains are auctioned within 24 hours using the blind auction solution.
Upon a successful bid, the winning bidder will receive a domain registration privilege reservation code. This code, corresponding to the auctioned domain, can then be registered with an accredited .ee registrar.
Registration and renewal of a domain
To register a domain, an application must be submitted to a registrar. A registrar is usually a company that provides an Internet connection, hosting or virtual server services. A list of registrars is published on the homepage of the Estonian Internet Foundation. To renew a registration, a renewal fee specified in the registrar's service contract has to be paid.
If you have Estonian ID-card or Mobile-ID you can get an overview of all domains related to you regardless of the registrar from the registrant's portal of the Estonian Internet Foundation.
Homepage security extensions
When registering a website, it is important to pay attention to its security. DNSSEC and DANE security extensions can be easily and conveniently installed for the web address during domain registration with the registrar. DNSSEC ensures that the website user is directed to the correct webpage, rather than to a site set up by fraudsters with a very similar appearance, through which personal or banking information may be stolen. Meanwhile, DANE enhances internet communication security more broadly by protecting information and its movement between two parties.
Increasing the security of a website is also crucial for robust user authentication. The eeID identification service allows user authentication through a single registration and integration, consolidating under it the most widely used authentication services (Smart-ID, Mobile-ID, ID card, etc.).
The cost of a domain
The registration of a domain is done for a fee. The final cost of a domain's registration for a year is determined by the registrar. The Estonian Internet Foundation specifies a unified base fee for all registrars, which is 1,6 euros per 3 months, 3,2 euros per 6 months, 4,8 euros per 9 months and for registrations of 1–10 years, the fee is 6 euros per year. The final price of the domain is formed in the conditions of market competition (with value added tax added to the fee) and may be the same as the base fee, lower, or higher. The fees can be found on the registrar's homepage.
Registering international domains
Aside from .ee domains, international domains can be registered, with .com, .eu and .net being the most commonly used domains. Registering an international domain can only be done through a domain registrar. The fee and the minimum and maximum period of time that is available for the registration depends on the domain in interest.
Domain Disputes Committee
If you find that someone has, without your consent, registered a domain name that coincides with your trademark or your name as an individuals or your company name or another name entered in a register, you can submit an application to the DDC.
Additional information about domain disputes
Domain deletion and inheritance
Each domain has an expiration date chosen by the domain owner during registration. If there's a desire to use the domain beyond its initial registration, an extension of the registration is required. Failure to do so results in the domain expiring and becoming available 45 days after registration expiration. Freed domains enter a blind auction for deleted domains, open to interested parties worldwide. The successful bidder obtains the preferential right to register the domain. If no bids are placed during the auction, the domain becomes available for registration on a first-come, first-served basis.
Additionally, it is possible to inherit a registered .ee domain. If a private domain owner passes away, their heir can apply for a web address in their own name, supported by the inheritance document. In cases with multiple heirs, ownership of the domain must be determined based on the general principles of inheritance law.