Register .nl Domain: Complete guide for 2025
Last updated: 31 December 2025
Registering a .nl domain
A .nl domain name is the perfect choice for Dutch businesses, organizations, and individuals. The .nl domain is managed by SIDN and with more than 6 million registrations is one of the most popular country-code domains in the world.
Why choose .nl?
A .nl domain offers concrete advantages:
| Advantage | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Local recognition | Dutch visitors trust .nl sites |
| SEO advantage | Google gives .nl a boost in Dutch search results |
| Reliability | 99.99% uptime thanks to SIDN's infrastructure |
| Security | Free DNSSEC available at most registrars |
| Affordable | From €4.95 per year at many providers |
Step-by-step: register .nl domain
Step 1: Check availability
Before you can register a domain, you need to check if it's available. You can do this at any registrar or via the SIDN website.
Tips for choosing a domain name:
- Keep it short and memorable
- Avoid hyphens if possible
- Don't use numbers unless they're part of your brand name
- Check if the name isn't already a trademark
Step 2: Choose a registrar
You can only register a .nl domain through a SIDN-accredited registrar. Most hosting providers in the Netherlands are also registrars.
Popular registrars for .nl:
| Registrar | 1st year | Renewal |
|---|---|---|
| Hostnet | €0.10 | €23.00 |
| Strato | €0.10 | €5.95 |
| Theory7 | €0.45 | €3.99 |
| Vimexx | €0.48 | €5.69 |
| TransIP | €0.49 | €16.50 |
| Versio | €0.49 | €18.99 |
Prices are indicative and subject to change.
Step 3: Register the domain
After choosing a registrar:
- Enter your desired domain name and click search
- Choose the registration duration (1-10 years)
- Fill in your details (name, address, email)
- Choose extra options like WHOIS privacy or DNSSEC
- Pay via iDEAL, credit card, or other method
- Confirm via the email you receive
Your domain is usually active within minutes.
Cost of a .nl domain
The price of a .nl domain consists of:
- SIDN contribution: About €5 per year (paid by the registrar)
- Registrar margin: Variable, usually €0-5 extra
- First-year discount: Many registrars offer a discount in the first year
Note: Always compare the renewal price! A cheap first year can lead to higher costs on renewal.
Requirements for .nl registration
Unlike some other TLDs, .nl has no strict requirements:
- No Dutch nationality required - Anyone worldwide can register a .nl
- No company needed - Individuals can also register
- Minimum length: 2 characters
- Maximum length: 63 characters
- Allowed characters: Letters (a-z), numbers (0-9), hyphen (-)
DNSSEC: extra security
DNSSEC (Domain Name System Security Extensions) protects your domain against DNS spoofing. SIDN was one of the first registries to roll this out worldwide.
Advantages of DNSSEC:
- Visitors know for sure they're on your real site
- Protection against man-in-the-middle attacks
- Free available at most registrars
Always activate DNSSEC if your registrar supports it.
WHOIS privacy
Upon registration, your details are stored in the WHOIS database. With WHOIS privacy (also called ID Protect), your personal details are shielded.
Registrars with free WHOIS privacy:
Connecting .nl domain to hosting
After registration, you need to connect the domain to your hosting:
Option 1: Everything at the same provider
If you have hosting and domain at the same provider (recommended), the connection is usually automatic.
Option 2: Domain and hosting separated
If your domain is elsewhere:
- Go to the DNS management of your registrar
- Change the nameservers to those of your hosting provider
- Or add A records pointing to your hosting's IP
- Wait 24-48 hours until DNS propagation is complete
Domain transfer
Happy with your hosting but not your registrar? You can transfer your .nl domain:
- Request a transfer code from your current registrar
- Start the transfer at your new registrar
- Enter the transfer code
- Confirm via email
- Wait about 5 days until the transfer is complete
Note: a domain must be at least 60 days old before transfer.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a .nl registration take?
Usually a few minutes. Your domain is active immediately after payment.
Can I register a .nl domain anonymously?
Not entirely, but with WHOIS privacy your details are not publicly visible.
What happens if I don't renew?
SIDN gives you 40 days grace period (quarantine). After that, the domain is released.
Can I register multiple .nl domains?
Yes, there is no limit. Many companies register variations of their name.
Get started
Ready to register your .nl domain? First compare the best registrars on our comparison page. Pay attention to:
- Price (first year and renewal)
- Including DNSSEC and WHOIS privacy
- Quality of customer service
- Possibly combined with hosting
Was this article helpful?
Compare hosting packages directly to find the best choice for your situation.
Related articles
What is web hosting? Explanation for beginners
Discover what web hosting is and how it works. Complete explanation about servers, domains and different hosting types for beginners.
What is VPS Hosting?
VPS hosting explained: what is a Virtual Private Server, who is it suitable for and what are the advantages compared to shared hosting?
What is an SSL Certificate?
Everything about SSL certificates: what is SSL, why do you need it and how do you recognize a secure website? Essential for every website.
What is Uptime in Web Hosting?
What does uptime mean in web hosting? Learn about uptime percentages, SLA guarantees and why 99.9% uptime is important for your website.
How much storage do I need for my website?
Discover how much disk space you really need for your website. Practical guide with examples per website type.