About .ελ domain
.ελ is the internationalized country code top-level domain (IDN ccTLD) representing Greece, written in the Greek script. It is managed by ICS-FORTH GR, the same registry that operates the ASCII .gr extension. The TLD was delegated by ICANN on June 9, 2015, following a multi-year process that included an initial rejection under the IDN Fast Track program in 2010 and a successful second review by the Extended Process Similarity Review Panel in October 2014. Its Punycode representation is xn--qxam, making it one of the few ccTLDs that uses a non-Latin script natively. The path to delegation was notably complex, as the uppercase form ΕΛ was initially deemed confusingly similar to the Latin string "EA" — despite no .ea TLD existing at the time.
Who can register .ελ domain
.ελ is open to a broad range of registrants with no strict geographic requirement. Both natural persons (individuals) and legal entities (companies, organizations) are eligible, regardless of whether they are Greek nationals or established in Greece. Foreign individuals and businesses may register .ελ domains just as Greek residents can. There are no mandatory local presence or trademark pre-verification requirements for standard registrations.
How to register .ελ domain
Search for your desired .ελ domain name using a registrar that supports Greek-script IDN ccTLDs. Because .ελ uses Punycode encoding (xn--qxam), confirm that the registrar's search tool correctly handles Greek-character input and displays results accurately.
Compare registrar options for pricing, renewal terms, and included features such as WHOIS privacy and DNS management tools. Not all registrars carry IDN ccTLDs, so your choice of provider may be more limited than with common gTLDs.
Complete the checkout process by selecting your registration term and providing accurate registrant contact details. Ensure the name, address, and email you submit are correct, as registry rules require WHOIS accuracy.
After registration, verify your contact details via any confirmation email sent by the registrar, then configure your DNS records to point the domain to your hosting or service. Keep in mind that Greek-script labels must be entered in Punycode format in DNS zone files if your DNS provider does not handle IDN conversion automatically.
Typical uses of .ελ domain
.ελ is most commonly used by Greek-speaking individuals, businesses, and organizations that want to present an entirely Greek-script web address to their audience. It serves as a natural-language alternative to the ASCII .gr extension, allowing brands and publishers to create URLs that are fully readable in Greek without switching character sets. Government bodies, local businesses, media outlets, and cultural institutions in Greece are among the typical registrants, as are diaspora communities seeking to signal a strong connection to Greek identity. Registrants often pair a .ελ domain alongside an existing .gr domain to cover both script preferences.
Tips for registering .ελ domain
- Domain name character rules are strict: the variable (label) portion of a .ελ domain may use Greek alphanumeric characters (Α–Ω, α–ω, 0–9) or Latin alphanumeric characters, but the extension itself must always be in Greek script.
- WHOIS accuracy is a registry requirement — registrant contact details must be kept up to date throughout the life of the registration, not just at the point of purchase.
- Deletion and redemption policies for .ελ follow the same rules as .gr; check the ICS-FORTH GR registry documentation for grace period and redemption window specifics before letting a domain lapse.
- Because .ελ is an IDN ccTLD with limited registrar support, availability of add-ons like WHOIS privacy may vary more than with mainstream extensions — confirm what your chosen registrar includes before completing checkout.
- Premium domain pricing may apply to short or high-value Greek-script labels; check whether a domain is flagged as premium before assuming standard registration pricing.