What does a domain name cost? Complete price overview [2026]
What does a domain name cost? This is one of the first questions you ask when you want to start a website. The prices vary enormously: from less than 1 euro per year to sometimes thousands of euros for a premium domain. What does a domain name cost exactly? In this complete price overview for 2026 we show you what you can expect, which costs there are, and how you can save smartly on your domain name. Read more about registering a domain name in Belgium.
What does a domain name cost per extension in 2026?
The price of a domain name strongly depends on the extension you choose. What does a domain name cost with the most popular extensions? Below you find an overview with average prices at registration and renewal in 2026. Note: the renewal price is often higher than the first registration.
Prices of popular extensions
For the .nl extension, the most chosen option for Dutch websites, you pay on average between 8 and 15 euros per year. This is a relatively affordable extension because SIDN (the manager of .nl domains) uses reasonable wholesale prices. At many registrars you can get a .nl domain even cheaper in the first year, sometimes for just 1 or 2 euros.
A .com domain is the international standard and costs on average 10 to 15 euros per year. Verisign manages the .com extension and has raised the wholesale prices in recent years, which makes .com domains gradually more expensive. Despite this, it remains one of the most valuable extensions because of its worldwide recognisability.
The .eu domain costs between 8 and 12 euros per year and is available for residents and businesses of the European Union. The .be extension (Belgium) costs a comparable 10 to 15 euros per year, while the .de domain (Germany) is available for 8 to 12 euros per year.
Overview table of extension prices
What does a domain name cost per extension? Here is a handy overview with registration and renewal prices:
- .nl - Registration: 1-10 euros | Renewal: 8-15 euros per year
- .com - Registration: 5-12 euros | Renewal: 10-15 euros per year
- .eu - Registration: 3-9 euros | Renewal: 8-12 euros per year
- .be - Registration: 5-12 euros | Renewal: 10-15 euros per year
- .de - Registration: 4-10 euros | Renewal: 8-12 euros per year
- .org - Registration: 8-14 euros | Renewal: 12-18 euros per year
- .net - Registration: 8-14 euros | Renewal: 12-17 euros per year
- .online - Registration: 1-5 euros | Renewal: 25-40 euros per year
- .shop - Registration: 1-5 euros | Renewal: 25-35 euros per year
What stands out right away: the newer extensions such as .online and .shop are often dirt cheap in the first year, but the renewal price is considerably higher. This is a widely used marketing trick. So always check the renewal price before you register your domain name.
What does a domain name cost at renewal? Registration price versus renewal price
One of the biggest pitfalls when registering a domain name is the difference between the registration price and the renewal price. What does a domain name cost after the first year? Many registrars lure new customers with extremely low introductory rates but charge the full rate at renewal. This difference can be considerable.
A concrete example: a .online domain for 1 euro in the first year sounds fantastic, but if the renewal costs 35 euros per year, you pay a total of 141 euros over 5 years. A .nl domain at 10 euros per year costs just 50 euros over the same period. So it pays to look further than only the entry price when you calculate what a domain name costs in the long term.
In addition, some registrars offer multi-year discounts. If you register a domain for 2 or 3 years at once, you often get a lower annual rate. This is not only cheaper, but it also protects you against price increases during that period.
Tip: always turn on automatic renewal. If your domain accidentally expires, it can end up in a redemption period. Getting your domain back then quickly costs 50 to 100 euros extra.
What does a domain name cost if you get it free with hosting?
Did you know that many hosting providers give you a free domain name when you take out a hosting plan? This is one of the most popular ways to save money. At Theory7 you get a free .nl or .com domain with every hosting plan, which makes the question of what a domain name costs simple in that case: zero euros in the first year.
The hosting provider covers the registration costs. This domain is entirely yours: you can also transfer it to another registrar. It is a real saving, not a marketing trick with hidden conditions.
There are, however, points to note. The free domain usually applies only to popular extensions such as .nl, .com or .eu. It is usually free only in the first year; after that you pay the regular renewal price. Check whether the domain is registered in your name.
The combination of hosting and domain is the most cost-effective way to go online. With Theory7 web hosting, domain management is fully integrated into your hosting plan.
What does a domain name cost in the premium segment?
Not all domain names cost 10 euros per year. Some domain names are offered for hundreds, thousands or even millions of euros. What does a domain name cost that is considered premium? Premium domains are extra valuable because of their length, recognisability or keyword value.
There are two types of premium domains. Registry premium domains are marked as premium by the registry itself, with higher registration and renewal prices. Aftermarket premium domains are domains that are for sale through marketplaces like Sedo, Afternic or Dan.com, where the seller sets the price.
Is a premium domain worth the money? For a large online store, a generic domain such as shoes.nl can have enormous value. For a small business it is rarely worth the investment. Most entrepreneurs are better off with a well-chosen regular domain.
Hidden costs: what does a domain name really cost?
Besides the registration and renewal price, there are additional costs. What does a domain name cost if you include all additional costs? Not every registrar charges these separately, but it is good to know them.
WHOIS privacy
WHOIS privacy hides your personal details in the public database. The costs vary from free to 5-15 euros per year. For .nl domains SIDN already shows limited information, but for international domains WHOIS privacy is a must.
DNS management
Basic DNS management is included at most registrars. Advanced features such as GeoDNS or failover DNS cost extra: 2 to 20 euros per month. At Theory7, extensive DNS management is included as standard.
Domain lock and transfer costs
A registrar lock is free and included as standard at most registrars. Transferring a domain to another registrar costs 5 to 15 euros in administration fees at some parties.
SSL certificate
Free Let's Encrypt certificates are included at many hosting providers. Extended certificates cost 50 to 500 euros per year. With Theory7 hosting, SSL is always included.
Price comparison: what does a domain name cost at Dutch registrars?
How do the prices of Dutch domain registrars compare? At Theory7 you pay just €0.45 at registration and €3.99 at renewal for a .nl domain. A .com domain costs €8.95 at registration and €9.95 afterwards. At TransIP the prices for .nl are €2.49 (first year) and €9.99 (renewal). Versio offers .nl domains from €0.42 in the first year with €8.95 renewal.
Always compare the current renewal prices, not only the introductory offer. At Theory7 you also get integrated DNS management, free WHOIS privacy and automatic SSL certificates. That often makes the total cost of ownership lower.
What does a domain name cost on the aftermarket?
What if the domain you want is already taken? Then you can buy it on the aftermarket. The prices on the aftermarket vary enormously. An average .nl domain can sometimes be bought for 50 to 200 euros. Domains with commercial value quickly cost 500 to 5,000 euros. Top names change hands for 10,000 to 100,000+ euros.
With an aftermarket purchase you pay, besides the purchase price, also registration costs and possibly a 10-20 percent commission to the platform. Always use an escrow service for transactions above 500 euros. Buying a domain name without hosting is possible, but rarely the cheapest option.
Tips to save money on your domain name
Now that you know what a domain name costs at various providers, here are concrete saving tips:
- Choose a hosting plan with a free domain - at Theory7 you immediately save 10+ euros in the first year
- Register for several years - many registrars give a discount for multi-year registration
- Compare renewal prices - the introductory price is tempting, but you pay the renewal every year
- Choose .nl if you target the Netherlands - it is one of the cheapest extensions
- Avoid impulse buys of premium domains - ask whether the domain is really better than a standard name
- Consolidate with one registrar - several domains with one party often earns a volume discount
What does a domain name cost at Theory7?
At Theory7 we offer transparent domain prices without hidden costs. Our rates for 2026 are competitive, and with every web hosting plan you get a free domain name of your choice. We offer more than 400 domain extensions, free WHOIS privacy, free DNS management, free SSL certificates, automatic renewal and a domain lock as standard for protection.
Curious about the exact prices? Check the availability and price right away in our domain checker.
Frequently asked questions: what does a domain name cost?
Do you pay for a domain name once or per year?
A domain name is an annual cost. You rent the right to use the name for a certain period, usually 1 to 10 years. After that you have to renew to keep the domain. Most registrars offer automatic renewal.
Why are some domain names more expensive than others?
The price is determined by the extension (the registry sets a wholesale price), whether it is a premium domain (short names are scarcer), and the registrar you choose. Aftermarket domains are priced by supply and demand.
Can I get a domain name for free?
Yes, many hosting providers offer a free domain name with their hosting plans. Free subdomains also exist but give a less professional impression. Your own domain name is always recommended.
What are the annual costs for a domain?
What does a domain name cost per year? For .nl you pay on average 8-15 euros per year, for .com 10-15 euros per year. At Theory7, extras such as WHOIS privacy and DNS management are included at no extra cost.
Why is the renewal price higher than the registration price?
Registrars use low introductory rates as a marketing tool. The renewal price reflects the real costs, including the wholesale price of the registry plus the margin of the registrar.
What does a domain name cost: hidden costs and saving tips
The purchase price is only part of what a domain name costs. There are several additional costs to take into account when registering and maintaining your domain.
Hidden costs of domain registration
- Renewal costs - the introductory price is often a promotion. The renewal price can be 2-3x as high. A .com domain sometimes costs €1 at registration, but the renewal is €15-20 per year.
- WHOIS privacy - some registrars charge €5-15 per year for WHOIS privacy protection. Others offer it for free.
- Domain lock - a registry lock for extra security against unwanted changes can be an annual surcharge.
- Transfer costs - transferring your domain to another registrar typically costs the amount of an annual renewal.
Premium domains and aftermarket
Not all domain names cost the same. Short, sought-after domain names are labelled "premium" and can be considerably more expensive:
| Domain type | Typical price | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Standard registration | €5-20/year | my-business-online.nl |
| Premium (registrar) | €50-500/year | Short, sought-after names |
| Aftermarket (second-hand) | €100 - €100,000+ | Generic terms, existing value |
| Auction (expiring) | €10 - €10,000+ | Recently expired domains with traffic |
Saving tips when choosing a domain name
With these tips you save money on the purchase and maintenance of your domain name:
- Always compare renewal prices - the registration price matters less than what you pay yearly for renewal
- Register for several years - many registrars offer a discount for registration of 2-5 years at once
- Choose a standard extension - exotic extensions (.io, .ai, .app) are often more expensive than .nl or .com
- Combine with hosting - some hosting providers offer a free domain when you take out a hosting plan
- Avoid domain traders - if your desired domain is taken, consider an alternative name instead of an expensive premium domain
What does a domain name cost per extension?
The costs vary greatly per domain extension. Here is a current overview of popular extensions in the Netherlands:
- .nl - €5-10/year - the standard choice for Dutch businesses and websites
- .com - €10-15/year - internationally recognisable and trusted
- .eu - €5-10/year - suitable for European-oriented businesses
- .online - €3-30/year - a modern extension, the price varies greatly per registrar
- .shop - €5-35/year - specific to online stores and e-commerce
Whichever extension you choose, always make sure your domain is well protected and that renewal happens automatically. An expired domain can quickly be bought up by domain traders, after which you have to buy it back at a much higher price.
What does a domain name cost: long-term strategy
The question of what a domain name costs goes beyond the annual registration price. A good domain strategy is a long-term investment that protects and increases your brand value.
Register your domain name for several years at once. This not only saves money through volume discounts, but also protects you against price increases of domain extensions. ICANN allows registrars to raise .com domains yearly, and in recent years the base prices have gone up. By registering for five or ten years you lock in the current price.
Invest in domain protection. Besides the basic registration, WHOIS privacy, domain lock and DNSSEC are important security layers. The costs for these are minimal (often free or a few euros per year) but the protection they offer is priceless if your domain is the foundation of your online business.
Also consider the value of your domain name as an asset. A well-chosen domain name rises in value as your brand grows and becomes better known. Some businesses have sold their domain name for amounts that far exceed the original registration costs. Protect this value by always renewing your domain on time and setting up adequate security. Combine your domain strategy with reliable web hosting for a solid online foundation.
Theory7 is an SIDN-accredited registrar, EURid-accredited registrar and DNS.BE-accredited registrar. As an accredited registrar with several registries, you register domain names directly, without an intermediary. This means faster processing times, lower costs and full control over your domain management.
What does a domain name cost: final assessment
The question of what a domain name costs has a nuanced answer that depends on the extension, registrar and additional services you choose. The basic registration of a .nl domain costs 5 to 10 euros per year, which is a negligible investment in light of the value a domain of your own offers for your online identity.
The real costs are in the additional services and the long-term management. WHOIS privacy, domain security, registering extra extensions and variants, and the annual renewal costs add up over the years. Nevertheless, a domain name is one of the most cost-effective investments you can make for your business or project. Always compare the renewal prices at several registrars, set up automatic renewal so you do not accidentally lose your domain, and register for several years at once if you are sure of your choice. With a well-managed domain strategy you protect your online identity for a fraction of what you spend on other business costs.
What does a domain name cost: start registering
Now that you know exactly what a domain name costs and what to look out for, it is time to take action. Check the availability of your desired domain name with a reliable registrar. Compare the renewal prices at at least two providers before you register. Choose the extension that suits your target audience: .nl for the Netherlands, .com for international. Register for at least two years to get a discount and reduce the risk of expiry. Set up automatic renewal as soon as your domain is registered and activate WHOIS privacy if it is not included as standard. With your domain registered you are ready to build your online presence, whether that is a website, online store or professional email address.
Optimising domain name costs
There are smart strategies to optimise the costs of your domain names without compromising on quality. Bundle all your domains with a single registrar to get a volume discount and simplify management. Register for longer periods: many registrars offer a discount for registration of two, three or five years. Use domain alerts to be notified when a desired domain becomes available, instead of buying it on the secondary market at inflated prices. Evaluate yearly which domains you actually use and let unused domains expire instead of renewing them automatically. Monitor the market for discount promotions: around Black Friday and other holidays, registrars regularly offer sharp deals on new registrations and transfers.
Want to know whether a domain name is still available? Use our free domain name checker to check this right away.
