BE domain policies: .BE Domain Name Rules and Requirement Policies
The .BE domain is the country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Belgium. Here’s an overview of the main rules and requirements for registering a .BE domain:
Eligibility
Anyone can register: .BE domains are open to both individuals and businesses from any country, with no nationality or residency restrictions.
Registrar Requirements
.BE domains can only be registered through accredited registrars. The Belgian registry, DNS Belgium, oversees the .BE domain and maintains a list of approved registrars.
Domain Name Restrictions
- Length: A .BE domain name must be between 2 and 63 characters long, excluding the .BE extension.
- Allowed Characters: Domains can include letters (a-z), numbers (0-9), and hyphens (-). However, hyphens cannot be at the beginning or end of the domain name, nor can they be in the third and fourth positions simultaneously (e.g., "ab--cd.be" is invalid).
- Special Characters: DNS Belgium supports Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs), allowing accented characters specific to Belgian languages (e.g., é, ô).
Registration Terms
.BE domain names can typically be registered for a period ranging from 1 to 10 years.
Renewal and Expiry
Registrants are given a grace period after expiration to renew their .BE domain. However, once this period ends, the domain becomes available for re-registration by others.
Transfer Policy
.BE domains can be transferred between registrars. This usually requires an authorization code (also known as an EPP code), which can be obtained from the current registrar.
Transfers extend the domain registration by one year, and fees vary by registrar.
DNS and Hosting Requirements
Registrants must provide at least one valid nameserver for the domain to be active. Multiple nameservers are recommended for stability and redundancy.
Dispute Resolution
DNS Belgium has established an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process to handle domain disputes under the .BE extension. This process aims to resolve conflicts between domain registrants and claimants, often involving trademark or copyright issues.
Abuse and Compliance
DNS Belgium has strict policies for combatting illegal or harmful content hosted on .BE domains. Domains involved in phishing, spam, or other illegal activities may be suspended or revoked by the registry.
If you’re considering registering a .BE domain, check DNS Belgium’s website for the most up-to-date information, as policies may occasionally change.
