Home / Directory / .gr Domain

Extension profile

.gr Domain: Greece ccTLD Guide

Updated October 2026

.gr is the country-code top-level domain for Greece.

Overview

Used by Greek businesses, public bodies and individuals, and by foreign firms serving Greek customers.

The registry is run by ICS-FORTH, part of the Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas, while the Hellenic Telecommunications and Post Commission (EETT) is the authority responsible for .gr and .ελ registrations. The registry maintains the database and generates zone files daily but is not itself a registrar. The .gr extension was introduced on 19 February 1989.

Names can be registered directly at the second level or beneath com.gr, edu.gr, net.gr, org.gr and gov.gr, the last of which is for government only. Names are assigned first come, first served, with no waiting list. The name part must be 2 to 63 characters, and for Greek names that limit applies to the Punycode form. There is no cap on how many names one holder may own.

Names may use Greek or Latin characters, with or without accents. An accented name also activates its unaccented equivalent at no extra cost, and a final ς also activates the σ version. Greek names are stored in Punycode, so ονομα.gr appears in the zone as xn--mxavchb.gr. The Greek-script extension .ελ became operational on 10 July 2018.

Registrations are valid for two years, and an expired name can be renewed for 15 days before it becomes available to anyone. Some names, such as geographical terms on EETT's list, are limited to the relevant local government body. Disputes fall under EETT's alternative dispute resolution procedure in its Regulation on Management and Assignment of .gr and .ελ domain names. DNSSEC is supported.

Who can register

Domestic or foreign natural and legal persons may register, whether or not they are established in Greece. Registration must go through an accredited registrar, because the registry does not accept registrations directly.

Second-level endings: Also .com.gr, .org.gr, .gov.gr, .edu.gr and others.

Before you buy a .gr name

• Check the renewal price as well as the first-year price. Our cost calculator shows what a name really costs over time.
• Make sure you meet the eligibility rules yourself, without relying on a trustee if you can avoid it.
• Search for trademarks and for the same name in .com.
• Say the name out loud: will people type it correctly?

Weighing up a specific .gr name? TLD.is gives an AI appraisal that explains a name's strengths and weaknesses.

Frequently asked questions

What country is .gr?

.gr is the country-code top-level domain for Greece.

Who runs the .gr domain?

The .gr registry is managed by ICS-FORTH (.gr/.ελ Registry).

Can I register a .gr domain from another country?

Domestic or foreign natural and legal persons may register, whether or not they are established in Greece. Registration must go through an accredited registrar, because the registry does not accept registrations directly.

Does Google treat .gr as a country domain?

Yes. Google normally treats .gr as a signal that a site targets Greece.

Compare and explore

Compare .gr side by side with other extensions, or browse more in Europe:

Sources checked: en.wikipedia.org · grweb.ics.forth.gr · v4.gandi.net. Last reviewed October 2026.

Keep reading