Welcome to the Registry of .gr Domain Names website. The registration process for [.gr] domain names has changed. Please click here to see the details of the new registration system.
The Registry of .gr Domain Names, part of the Institute of Computer Science, of the Foundation for Research & Technology Hellas, is in charge of the operation and technical coordination of the [.gr] top-level domain name space. This role has been assigned by the National Telecommunications & Post Commission, as stated in the 268/73 Decision of November 25th 2002, in which the rules & regulations for [.gr] domain name registrations have been set out. Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view the above document. If it is not present, please download it from here.
ANNOUNCEMENT: As of 15/09/2004 the Registry of .gr Domain Names will not be accepting
domain name modifications for [.gr] domain names still under the
management of the Registry via fax or email. Modifications will be
accepted online only via the modification tool available on this
website. Domain Name Registrants wishing to perform domain name
modifications but who do not know their domain name password
(authorization code) must contact the Registry of .gr Domain Names in order to be
informed of the password notification methods.
The National Telecommunications & Posts Commission (N.T.P.C.), according to the Greek Law N.2867/2000 and
the Decision 268/73 of 25/11/2002, is responsible for the cession of domain names.
Registry of .gr Domain Names, part of the Institute of Computer Science of the Foundation For Research & Technology - Hellas, is reponsible for the operation of the [.gr] Top Level Domain, as decided by a call for tender issued by the N.T.P.C.
Based on its experience in managing the [.gr] Top Level Domain (starting in 1989 when ICS-FORTH first registered the [.gr] Top Level Domain), a new infrastructure was built by ICS-FORTH in order create the Registry/Registrar/Registrant system.
The Extensible Provisioning Protocol (EPP), as approved by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), has been selected for the new system, as it is widely used as the protocol of choice of Registry/Registrar/Registrant systems.
The use of EPP allows Registrars to directly connect to the Registry, via tools created and provided by the Registry and tools which the Registrar chooses to develop themselves in order to better serve their Registrants.
During the developement process of the Registry tools, special attention was paid to the ability to register and manage domain names with native Greek characters. As a result, it is now possible to register Greek character domain names, such as [???µa.gr].
The registration of domain names with the Registry/Registrar/Registrant system is conducted via an Accredit Registrar. A list of Accredited Registrars is available here. Please note that domain name registration fees and renewal fees are set by the Registrars.
With the introduction of the new system and a short period thereafter (specifically 90 days), in order to facilitate a smoother transition to the new Registrar/Registrar/Registrant system, the Registry of .gr Domain Names will also function as a Registrar. The registration fee for applications submitted directly by Applicants to the Registry of .gr Domain Names will generally be higher than the registration fees set by our Accredited Registrars. After the transition period, Registrants registering domain names with the Registry of .gr Domain Names must transfer their domain names to an Accredited Registrar.
For the better organization of the [.gr] domain name space, the following sub-domains have been
created:
- [.com.gr] Commercial entities
- [.edu.gr] Educational istitutes
- [.net.gr] Network providers
- [.org.gr] Organizations at large
- [.gov.gr] Goverment agencies & organizations
Registering under a sub-domain is not mandatory, but is recommended for organizational reasons.
The process to register a domain name is as follows:
* According to the 268/73 decision of the N.T.P.C, the Applicant must submit an application for the desired domain name with one of the N.T.P.C's Accredited Registrars.
* Along with the domain name application, the registration fee set out by the Registrar must be paid.
* The application is submmited electronically by the Registrar to the Registry, who in turn confirms the submission bu returning the applications unique ID which includes the exact submission date and exact time.
* The Registrar providers the Applicant with proof of the application submission which includes the unique ID.
* The domain name is automatically checked by the Registry and if it is not a restricted domain, it becomes active within a maximum timeframe of 3 hours. The temporary activation of the domain name does not grant the domain name applicant any rights over the domain name.
* The Registrar submits a report to the N.T.P.C for each domain name application which they believe meets one of the conditions set out in article 5 of the 238/73 decision regarding term of non acceptance - terms of deletion.
* The N.T.P.C. examines the application within 15 days of the submission date and proceeds to either cede or delete the domain name.
ATTENTION: The above described process is a simplified version of the registration process and in no way replaces the process described in article 8 of the 268/73 - 2511/2002 decision of the N.T.P.C.
Article 5 (268/73 of the 25/11/2002 decision of the NTPC)
Reasons for application rejections of [.gr] domain names
1. The NTPC rejects domain name applications based on the following reasons:
a. If the domain name application is not fully and properly completed according to the current rules
and regulations.
b. If during the application process the requested [.gr] domain name has already been ceeded to another
domain name registrant. In this case, the applicant may request the deletion of the previously ceded
domain name if the deletion reasons adhere to current rules & regulations.
c. If the requested [.gr] domain name, composed of alpha-numeric characters which lack dicreet
character or is commonly used (generic word), or is a geographical location in Greece included in the
Kapodistria document. Geographical locations included in the Kapodistria document can
be ceded only to the Local Authority Office, without consideration of the way in the which the requested
domain name is written in latin characters. Also, registration of domain names which are considered
commonly used Internet terms are not permitted under the [.gr] domain name space. For example, www, email
and the two (2) character country codes specified on the ISO 3166-1 list of the International Standards
Organization. The purpose of these restrictions is to avoid granting exclusive rights to a domain name [.gr] cession
which is not in accordance with purpose of the present Decision, the domain cession in the [.gr] domain name space.
d. If the requested [.gr] domain name, composed of alpha-numeric characters, is contrary to
Public Order or Common Morals.
e. If the requested [.gr] domain name, composed of alpha-numeric characters, is contrary to
"good faith".
f. If the requested [.gr] domain name, composed of alpha-numeric characters which refers to an
official mark of the Greek state and the remaining states mentioned in article 6 of the Paris
Convention concerning industrial property rights, as well as being of symbolic importance such as
religious symbols and words.
g. If the requested [.gr] domain name has already been ceded under the [.gov.gr] sub-domain.
h. If the requested [.gr] domain name has been applied for by the same applicant from numerous registrars.
In such a case, all of the relevant applications are rejected.
i. If the same applicant requests the same [.gr] domain name with a new application, which has already been
rejected to them, based on the rules & regulations, from the same or a different registrar without justification.
2. The NTPC rejects applications in the following fixed and restrictive cases which constitute reason
for rejection:
a. If the requested [.gr] domain name, composed of alpha-numeric characters conflicts with the rights
of a third party, as set out by Greek Law.
b. If the requested [.gr] domain name is considered to have been submitted in "bad faith".
A NOTE FROM ICS-FORTH : The rights to cede and reject [.gr] domain names lies solely with the NTPC,
independently of the examination of the domain name application by ICS-FORTH and its temporary use.
ICS-FORTH is not responsible for domain names which are granted temporary use (PENDING TO BE
ACCEPTED) and are later rejected by the NTPC, or the delay in which domain name applications initially
tagged as PENDING TO BE REJECTED are granted temporary use, domains considered to fall under one of
the above mention reasons for rejection by ICS-FORTH but which are considered for cession by the
NTPC.