.gr

.gr is the country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Greece. Registrations are processed via accredited registrars and domain names in Greek characters may also be registered.

.gr
Introduced1989
TLD typeCountry code top-level domain
StatusActive
RegistryFORTH-ICS
SponsorFORTH
Intended useEntities connected with  Greece
Actual useVery popular in Greece
Registration restrictionssecond-level domains and .com.gr domain names may be registered without restrictions; some restrictions apply on some of the specific subdomains
StructureRegistrations are taken directly at the second level or at the third level beneath various second-level subdomains
DocumentsRules & regulations (el)
DNSSECyes
Registry website.gr Registry
.ελ
Introduced2015[1]
TLD typeInternationalized country code top-level domain
StatusActive
Intended useEntities connected with  Greece
Actual useSometimes used in Greece
Registration restrictionsShould be used with subdomains in the Greek alphabet

Second level domains

There are eight official second level domains:

  • com.gr: for those engaging in commercial activities.
  • edu.gr: for educational institutions.
  • net.gr: Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and network providers.
  • org.gr: non-profit organizations.
  • gov.gr: exclusively for governmental organizations.
  • mil.gr: exclusively for military purposes.
  • mod.gr: Ministry of Defence
  • sch.gr: local education authorities, schools, primary and secondary education, community education.

There are some other not official second level domains that belong to registrars offering third level domain name registrations.

  • co.gr: for commercial use (extremely rare use).[2]

Alternative top domain

Greece applied for the internationalized country code top-level domain (IDN ccTLD) .ελ (.ΕΛ in capital letters) for domain names composed of letters of the Greek alphabet. This was turned down by ICANN in April 2011 because it was too similar visually to .EA in Latin letters should ICANN ever implement such a TLD (EA is an exceptionally reserved ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code element for Ceuta & Melilla).[3]

In 2014 ICANN decided to allow Greece to have the domain .ελ.[4] In October 2015 the right to this top domain was handed over to Greece.[5] The top-level domain became operational on the Internet on 10 July 2018.[6]

The first three months, domains already held under .gr as they are in latin or greek letters or transcribed into greek can be obtained for .ελ only by the holder of that .gr domain.[7] After three months (October 2018) these restrictions cease to exist.

There is also Greek or EU plan to use the domain .ευ for the European Union.[8] It has also been turned down because it is too visually similar to .eu, the European Union domain.

References
  1. "Η Ελλάδα κατοχύρωσε την ελληνική κατάληξη .ελ στο ίντερνετ".
  2. http://www.inethellas.co.gr
  3. Greek IDN blocked due to non-existent domain
  4. "ccTLD applicants who have requested the second and final review". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2015-06-17.
  5. Report on the Delegation of the .ελ (“el”) domain representing Greece in Greek script to ICS-FORTH GR
  6. Συχνές Ερωτήσεις για Καταχωρούμενους
  7. .GR Launches .ελ on 10 July
  8. Η Ελλάδα κατοχύρωσε την ελληνική κατάληξη .ελ στο ίντερνετ (in Greek)
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