What is SIDN? The manager of all .nl domains

What is SIDN?

SIDN stands for Stichting Internet Domeinregistratie Nederland (Foundation for Internet Domain Registration Netherlands). This organization manages all .nl domain names and ensures that the .nl domain remains safe and reliable. If you have a website with a .nl address, SIDN is the party that makes this possible.

The role of SIDN in the Netherlands

SIDN is the official registry for the .nl top-level domain (TLD). This means they manage the central database in which all .nl domain names are registered. Currently, SIDN manages more than 6 million .nl domains, making .nl one of the largest country-code TLDs in the world.

As a registry, SIDN has several important tasks:

• Management of the .nl zone: All DNS information for .nl domains is managed by SIDN
• Registration administration: Keeping track of who owns which domain
• Technical infrastructure: Ensuring .nl websites remain accessible
• Security: Protection against abuse and cyber attacks

Registry vs registrar: what's the difference?

A common confusion is the difference between a registry and a registrar. SIDN is the registry - they manage the .nl domain as a whole. However, you cannot register a domain name directly with SIDN.

For that you need a registrar, such as TransIP, Antagonist or Hostnet. These hosting providers are recognized by SIDN to sell domain names to end users. They form the link between you and SIDN.

Simply put:

• Registry (SIDN): Manages the central database
• Registrar (hosting provider): Sells domains to customers

History of SIDN

SIDN was founded in 1996, when the internet in the Netherlands began to grow. Previously, the .nl domain was managed by the Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI). With the increasing popularity of the internet, a professional organization was needed.

Important milestones:

DNSSEC: security for .nl domains

The Netherlands was one of the first countries in the world to fully implement DNSSEC (Domain Name System Security Extensions) for the national domain. DNSSEC ensures that visitors to a website can be certain they are arriving at the real website and not a fake site.

SIDN offers DNSSEC free of charge for all .nl domains. Most major hosting providers now support this. If you choose a reliable hosting provider, DNSSEC is often enabled by default.

SIDN Labs: innovation for the internet

In addition to daily management of .nl, SIDN also invests in innovation through SIDN Labs. This research team works on projects that make the internet safer and better:

• Internet.nl: Free tool to check if your website meets modern standards
• SPIN: Software to make IoT devices more secure
• OpenINTEL: Large-scale DNS research project

Why choose a .nl domain?

A .nl domain has several advantages for Dutch businesses and organizations:

1. Recognition: Dutch visitors trust .nl websites
2. SEO advantage: Google gives local domains a boost in local search results
3. Reliability: SIDN is known for excellent uptime (99.99%)
4. Affordable: .nl domains usually cost €5 to €15 per year

Registering a .nl domain

Want to register a .nl domain? You do this through a recognized registrar. On our comparison page you will find the best hosting providers that also offer domain names. When choosing, pay attention to:

• Price of the domain (first year and renewal)
• Includes DNSSEC and WHOIS privacy
• Customer service in Dutch
• Easy domain management

Most providers offer .nl domains starting from €4.95 per year for the first year.