About .bcn domain
.bcn is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) delegated in 2015. The registry operator is CoreNIC, and the domain is managed by the Municipality of Barcelona. It was introduced as a GeoTLD intended for the exclusive institutional use of the Barcelona City Council. This extension is not available for public registration.
Who can register .bcn domain
Registration of a .bcn domain is not open to the public. The TLD is restricted exclusively to the Barcelona City Council for its institutional purposes. No third-party entities, businesses, or individuals are eligible to register a .bcn domain name. The registry does not operate a commercial registration system for this extension.
How to register .bcn domain
The .bcn TLD is not allocated through commercial registrars or a public registration process. Domain names under .bcn are delegated solely to the Barcelona City Council for its official use. The allocation is managed internally by the registry and the city government. There is no standard public application or purchase procedure for this extension.
Typical uses of .bcn domain
The .bcn domain extension is used exclusively by the Barcelona City Council for its official online services and communications. It serves to identify and promote the city's institutional departments and digital initiatives. This use reinforces the domain's purpose as a dedicated, non-commercial space for the municipal government of Barcelona. It is not chosen by the public but is a controlled asset for official city representation.
Tips for registering .bcn domain
- This TLD is not available for public registration; all domains are reserved for the Barcelona City Council.
- There is no commercial pricing, renewal policy, or registration term for the general public.
- WHOIS privacy, transfer policies, and grace periods are not applicable as there is no public registration system.
- The registry does not offer premium domain sales to third parties.
Frequently asked questions about .bcn domain
Who operates .bcn domain?
The registry for .bcn domains is Municipi de Barcelona.
Who can register a .bcn domain?
Registration is restricted to the Barcelona City Council itself. No external individuals, businesses, or organizations can apply for or register a .bcn domain. This is a closed, institutional TLD managed for the sole use of the city's government departments. There is no verification process for the public because public registration is not permitted.
Can I transfer a .bcn domain between registrars?
Inter-registrar transfers are not applicable for the .bcn extension. Since domains are not registered by third parties through commercial registrars, there is no standard transfer process. Ownership and management of all .bcn domains reside exclusively with the city council and its designated registry operator. Therefore, the typical domain transfer protocols do not function for this TLD.
Can I purchase a .bcn domain if I have a business in Barcelona?
No, you cannot purchase a .bcn domain under any circumstances. The TLD is strictly reserved for the institutional use of the Barcelona City Council. Even businesses, residents, or organizations with a strong connection to Barcelona are not eligible to register these domains. The .barcelona TLD was created as a separate, community-oriented extension for such broader use.
What dispute policies apply to the .bcn TLD?
Standard dispute policies like the Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy (UDRP) are largely theoretical for .bcn, as no third-party registrations exist. Any potential conflicts would be handled internally by the registry and the city council, as they control all domain allocations. The closed nature of the TLD minimizes the risk of cybersquatting or trademark disputes involving external parties.
How is the .bcn TLD related to the .barcelona TLD?
Both .bcn and .barcelona are GeoTLDs for the city, launched simultaneously and managed by the same registry. However, they serve distinct purposes: .bcn is a closed, institutional TLD for the city council only, while .barcelona is a community TLD open to residents, businesses, and entities with a bona fide connection to Barcelona. They are separate products with different registration policies.