About .cat domain
.cat is a sponsored top-level domain (sTLD) operated by the non-profit Fundació puntCAT. It was delegated in November 2005 and opened for public registration in April 2006. This domain product was created specifically to serve a defined linguistic and cultural community on the internet, with the registry responsible for enforcing eligibility criteria.
Who can register .cat domain
Registration for a .cat domain is restricted to individuals, organizations, or companies that belong to the Catalan linguistic and cultural community. Eligibility can be demonstrated in several ways: by having existing online content published in Catalan, by developing activities to promote Catalan culture and language, or by obtaining an endorsement from three existing .cat registrants or one qualifying institution. The registry screens applications both before and after registration to ensure compliance.
How to register .cat domain
- First, search for your desired .cat domain name at a participating ICANN-accredited registrar to check its availability. It's wise to have alternative names ready, as many short or common names may already be registered.
- If available, compare the registration terms, renewal prices, and any bundled services like WHOIS privacy from different registrars. Note that .cat domains can typically be registered for a minimum of one year.
- Proceed to checkout with your chosen registrar, providing accurate personal and contact information. You will need to pay for the initial registration term to secure the domain.
- After purchase, you must verify your contact details and configure your domain's DNS settings to point to your web hosting. The registry may contact you to confirm your eligibility, so ensure your information is correct.
Typical uses of .cat domain
The .cat extension is most commonly used by entities connected to the Catalan-speaking community, including cultural institutions, media outlets, businesses, and sports clubs within Catalonia and other Catalan-speaking regions. Users choose this TLD to explicitly signal their affiliation with Catalan language and culture online, differentiating themselves from country-code alternatives. While primarily for this community, the domain's spelling has also led to occasional, registry-discouraged use for cat-related websites or creative domain hacks.
Tips for registering .cat domain
- The registry conducts pre- and post-registration screening to verify that registrants belong to the defined Catalan linguistic and cultural community.
- A Charter Eligibility Dispute Resolution Procedure (CEDRP) exists specifically to challenge registrations that do not meet the TLD's eligibility requirements, in addition to the standard UDRP for trademark disputes.
- Direct second-level registrations (like
example.cat) are allowed, and there is no requirement to register a third-level domain. - WHOIS privacy services may be available through your registrar, but you must ensure your underlying registration data remains accurate for eligibility verification.