Want to register a .be domain name? In this guide we explain step by step how to apply for a Belgian domain, what it costs and what to look out for when choosing a registrar.

A .be domain name is the digital business card of your Belgian company. It tells visitors and search engines right away that you are a Belgian organization. In this guide we explain how to register a .be domain and what to look out for.

Why a .be domain?

  • Belgian identity - Visitors see right away that you are a Belgian company
  • Google.be preference - A .be domain can rank higher in Belgian search results
  • Trust - Belgian customers trust .be sites more than .com or .net
  • Availability - Many good .be domains are still available

How do you register a .be domain?

Step 1: Check availability

Use our domain name checker to check whether the .be domain you want is still free. Also try variations if your first choice is already taken.

Step 2: Choose your registrar

You register a .be domain through a registrar (an intermediary). DNS Belgium manages all .be domains, but you cannot register directly with them. Theory7 is an accredited registrar where you can easily register .be domains.

Step 3: Register

Register your domain through the domain name page. You will need:

  • The domain name you want
  • Your contact details (name, address, email)
  • Payment details

Step 4: Connect it to hosting

After registration, you connect the domain to your hosting. If you have hosting and the domain with the same provider (for example Theory7), this happens automatically.

Tips for choosing a good .be domain name

  • Short and to the point - Short domains are easier to remember
  • No hyphens unless necessary - companyname.be is better than company-name.be
  • Recognizable - Use your company name or a descriptive word
  • Avoid numbers - They cause confusion (was it 7 or seven?)

What does a .be domain cost?

Prices vary per registrar. At Theory7 you can register a .be domain at competitive rates. Check the current domain name prices for an overview of all extensions.

Theory7 is an accredited SIDN registrar, an accredited EURid registrar and an accredited DNS.BE registrar. As an accredited registrar with multiple registries, you register domain names directly, without an intermediary. This means faster processing times, lower costs and full control over your domain management.

.be, .nl or .com?

The choice depends on your audience:

  • .be - Belgian audience, local trust
  • .nl - Dutch audience or Flemish + Dutch
  • .com - International audience

Tip: register both the .be and .com variant of your company name to protect your brand.

How do you register a .be domain name?

You register a .be domain name through an accredited registrar such as Theory7. The process is simple and done in a few steps:

  1. Check availability - Use the domain checker to see whether the .be domain name you want is still free.
  2. Order the domain name - Select your .be domain and add it to your order. At Theory7 you can register a .be domain name from just €0.85 per year.
  3. Fill in your details - Enter your name and address details. DNS.BE requires a valid contact address for the registration.
  4. Set up DNS - After registration you assign the nameservers. At Theory7 this is configured automatically if you also take hosting.

The whole process of registering a .be domain name usually takes less than an hour. The registration is processed immediately by DNS.BE, the official manager of the .be registry.

Why register a .be domain name with Theory7?

Theory7 is an accredited DNS.BE registrar, which means your .be domain name is registered directly with the registry without an intermediary. This has concrete benefits:

  • Direct registration - No reseller delay, your domain is active faster
  • Lower costs - Registering a .be domain name at Theory7 costs just €0.85 per year, one of the lowest prices in the Benelux
  • Full WHOIS control - As a direct registrar, you have direct access to your domain details
  • Reliable DNS - Fast and stable nameservers in Dutch data centers
  • Bundle options - Combine your .be domain with web hosting and professional email

In addition to .be extensions, you can also register .nl and .eu domains at Theory7. Theory7 is also an accredited SIDN registrar for .nl domains and an accredited EURid registrar for .eu domains.

Tips for choosing the right .be domain name

Before you register a .be domain name, it is important to think carefully about the name you choose. A good domain name is recognizable, short and easy to remember. Here are a few practical tips:

Keep it short and simple

Choose a .be domain name that is no longer than two or three words. Long domain names are hard to remember and prone to typos. Think of names such as yourcompany.be or yourbrand.be instead of complicated combinations.

Avoid numbers and hyphens

Although it is technically possible to use hyphens and numbers in your .be domain, this makes it harder to communicate verbally. When someone hears your website address, they should immediately know how it is spelled.

Check trademark rights

Before you register a .be domain name, check that the name is not already a registered trademark. DNS.BE can revoke a domain if it turns out to infringe existing trademark rights. A quick search in the Benelux trademark register can prevent a lot of problems.

Register multiple extensions

If you are serious about your online presence, consider registering the .nl and .com variant of your domain name in addition to .be. This prevents competitors from using the same name under a different extension. At Theory7 you can register all common extensions at once.

Registering a .be domain name and connecting it to hosting

After registering your .be domain name, you will of course want to connect it to your website. At Theory7 this happens largely automatically if you also take web hosting. The nameservers are configured immediately and your website is usually reachable on your new .be domain within an hour.

If you combine registering your .be domain name at Theory7 with a hosting plan, you benefit from:

  • Automatic DNS configuration - No manual nameserver hassle, everything is set up for you
  • Free SSL certificate - Your .be website is secured with HTTPS right away through a free SSL certificate
  • Professional email address - Create an email address on your .be domain right away, such as info@yourcompany.be
  • Dutch support - Have questions about your .be domain? Our support team helps you in Dutch

Registering a .be domain name is therefore only the first step. The real benefit comes when you combine it with reliable hosting and a well-secured email system. Theory7 offers complete plans from €0.49 per month, so you can get online with your .be domain right away.

DNS.BE: the manager behind every .be domain

DNS.BE is the non-profit organization responsible for managing all .be domain names. If you want to register a .be domain name, this always goes through DNS.BE, but via an accredited registrar such as Theory7. You cannot apply for a domain directly with DNS.BE.

DNS.BE manages more than 1.6 million .be domain names and guarantees the technical infrastructure behind the .be registry. They make sure the DNS servers are always available and that registrations are processed correctly.

The advantage of registering a .be domain name with an accredited registrar is that you have direct access to the registry. There is no extra link in between, so changes are processed faster and you have less risk of communication problems.

Price comparison for registering a .be domain name

The cost of registering a .be domain name is between €5 and €15 per year at most providers. At Theory7 you pay just €0.85 per year, one of the most competitive prices in the market. This is because, as an accredited DNS.BE registrar, Theory7 does not have to charge an extra margin for an intermediary.

Before registering, always compare not only the price, but also what is included. At Theory7 you get free DNS management, WHOIS privacy and the option to easily connect your domain to hosting and email with every .be domain registration. Some providers charge extra for this.

For companies that want to register multiple .be domain names, Theory7 also offers volume discounts. Get in touch for a custom quote if you want to register ten or more domains.

Frequently asked questions about registering a .be domain name

Do I have to live in Belgium to register a .be domain?

No, anyone can register a .be domain name, regardless of where you live. DNS.BE places no geographic requirements on the holder. This also makes it attractive for Dutch companies to take a .be domain for their Belgian customers.

What does it cost to register a .be domain name?

At Theory7, registering a .be domain name costs just €0.85 per year. This includes DNS management and WHOIS privacy. There are no hidden costs or setup fees.

Can I transfer my .be domain to Theory7?

Yes, transferring an existing .be domain name to Theory7 is easy. You need an EPP/authorization code from your current registrar. The transfer process usually takes 1-5 business days.

What is the difference between a .be and a .nl domain?

A .be domain is the country code for Belgium, managed by DNS.BE. A .nl domain is the Dutch extension, managed by SIDN. Many companies active in the Benelux register both extensions to strengthen their online presence. At Theory7 you can register both directly as an accredited registrar.

Combine it with hosting

A domain name alone is not enough, as you also need web hosting to run your website. At Theory7 you combine domain registration with hosting in one plan. That way you are online within minutes.