Guides

.al Domain: How to Register Albania's ccTLD (Complete Guide)

2026-06-25 · OSIR Team

Summary: .al is the country-code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Albania. You can register a .al domain at the second level - yourname.al - in minutes, with no obscure paperwork for standard names. It is short, instantly recognizable, and carries a clear national identity, which makes it a strong choice for Albanian businesses, the diaspora, and anyone who wants a memorable two-letter extension. This guide explains what .al is, who can register one, how the namespace is structured, and how to claim yours.

What is a .al domain?

A .al domain is the official internet address suffix assigned to Albania, the same way .de belongs to Germany or .fr to France. It is a ccTLD - a country-code top-level domain - delegated to Albania under the global DNS root and administered through the national registry.

Because the two letters AL are short and widely understood, .al reads cleanly in a browser bar and on a business card. For an Albanian brand it signals "we are here, we are local"; for the global diaspora it is a way to stay connected to home online.

Who can register a .al domain?

Standard second-level .al names - the yourname.al format - are open to register by individuals and organizations. A handful of reserved namespaces are restricted to qualifying entities (for example, government and education names), but the everyday second-level space most people want is the open one.

Eligibility rules and reserved categories can change. For the current registration requirements and live pricing, check our .al extension page before you buy - it always reflects the registry's latest policy.

How the .al namespace is structured

.al supports both direct second-level registrations and a set of third-level categories:

For most businesses and individuals, the second-level yourname.al is the one to claim - it is the shortest, most brandable option and the format people will guess first.

Why choose a .al domain?

• National identity - nothing says "Albanian" online more directly than .al. It is the obvious home for local businesses, media, and institutions.
• Short and brandable - two letters keep your full address tight (shop.al, tirana.al), and many one-word .al names that are long gone in .com are still available.
• Diaspora connection - for Albanians abroad, a .al address is a small but meaningful link back to home.
• A play on "AL" - the letters double as an abbreviation people already read everywhere, which creative brands use for clever, memorable names.
• Less competition - because the .al zone is far smaller than .com, the exact-match name you want is much more likely to be free.

How to register a .al domain

1. Search the name. Enter the domain you want on the .al extension page to confirm it is available.
2. Pick your format. In almost all cases that is the second-level yourname.al; choose a com.al/org.al variant only if you have a specific reason.
3. Register and configure. Complete checkout, then point the domain at your site or set up email - DNS, DNSSEC, and registrar lock are handled for you.
4. Automate it (optional). Every domain on OSIR is fully scriptable through our REST API and MCP tools, so you can register, renew, and manage .al names directly from your own workflows or an AI agent.

Registrations provision quickly and renew on a standard annual cycle, so there is nothing exotic to manage day to day.

.al domain FAQ

Is a .al domain only for people in Albania?

No. While .al is Albania's national extension and is especially fitting for local businesses and the diaspora, standard second-level names are open to register. Some reserved categories are restricted - see the .al extension page for current eligibility.

How much does a .al domain cost?

Pricing is set per registration term and shown live - including any applicable fees - on our pricing page and the .al extension page. Checking there gives you the exact current figure rather than an estimate.

Should I register yourname.al or yourname.com.al?

For nearly everyone, the second-level yourname.al is the better choice: it is shorter, more memorable, and the format visitors expect. The com.al / org.al third-level options exist for organizations that specifically want that structure.

Can I manage a .al domain with an API or AI agent?

Yes. .al registrations support the same automation as every other extension on OSIR - full REST API and MCP tool access for registering, renewing, and configuring domains programmatically.

Claim your .al domain

.al is one of the shortest, most identity-rich extensions you can own - and the name you want is far likelier to be available than in .com. Check availability on the .al extension page and register yours today.

Image generated with AI (Higgsfield).