.AT Domain Names
What is a .AT domain?
The .AT domain is a ccTLD (country code top level domain) for the country of Austria. Located in Central Europe, north of Italy and Slovenia, Austria declared it's 'perpetual neutrality' in 1955. Austria entered into the European Union in 1995, and the EU Economic and Monetary Union in 1999. The country covers 32,382.39 square miles, an area slightly smaller than Maine. As of July 2008 the population was 8,205,533 people. The national language of Austria is German, although Turkish, Serbian, and Croatian among others are spoken there.
Why should I register a .AT domain name?
The .AT domain is growing very rapidly. If your company is looking to gain or has already attained a presence in Austria, owning a .AT domain should be part of your business plan. Registering a .AT domain is the perfect way to show your business is localized to Austria. Having a .AT extension demonstrates your company's loyalty to local markets, while maintaining your professional image.
Safeguarding your personal identity is crucial today. This should be the same for your online identity, as well as that of your trademark. When it comes to business, protecting you assets is critical; that includes everything from your bankroll to your domains. If you fail to register your name in country code TLDs, it is only a matter of time before someone else does. Attempting to procure a domain after it is registered is much more labor-intensive than being the first to obtain it. Ensure that your competitors do not purchase your trademark, and register it yourself.
The draw of ccTLDs also includes registering short domains. Finding this type of domain in more common extensions such as .COM or .NET is a modern day treasure hunt. The possibility of acquiring a domain with a common or short word is much greater in ccTLDs because they are still growing. Domain hacks offer an additional attraction to ccTLDs. Due to their short extensions, it is easy to create domains such as meetme.AT, comb.AT, or kittyc.AT.
Are there any restrictions for registering a .AT?
No. .AT has no restrictions for registering domain names. This means that any person from any part of the world and/or any company is welcome to register.
.AT faq
Country-code domains usually follow local conditions. Since .AT is a country-code domain and not a generic Top Level Domain (gTLD) the contractual relationships, domain periods, and cancellation terms are slightly different than say, .COM or .NET. For example, when you register a .AT domain name, you own the domain until you choose to cancel it, it will not expire. If you do choose to cancel it, the registry requires 28 days notice for the cancellation period. To find out more about why some applications and deadlines are different with .AT, visit the NIC.AT Registry faq.