Published: 26.09.2026
.ua is the top-level domain of Ukraine. It is the shortest and most formal national address, and it is used by Ukrainian companies, institutions and brands that want the strongest connection to the country.
Check if a .ua domain is available .ua Check
A short history
The Ukrainian national domain was delegated in the early 1990s, soon after the country became independent and began to build its own internet. For years it was administered by enthusiasts, and then by a specialised organisation that became the registry of the zone. Along with the main .ua, the registry created second-level zones: .com.ua for commerce, .org.ua for organisations, .net.ua for network services, .in.ua for individuals and many regional zones such as .kiev.ua. This division helped the zone grow and gave owners a choice.
Who runs it
The registry of the zone is the company Hostmaster, which works with accredited registrars. The registry publishes the rules of registration, maintains the central database and name servers, and handles name disputes. The zone supports DNSSEC, and there is a separate national extension in the Cyrillic script.
Rules in practice
- Basis for registration: the short .ua name is meant for owners who have a registered trademark, or for a company that can show a right to the name. Ukrainian trademark documentation is commonly required.
- Names: letters, digits and hyphens; short names are valuable.
- Payment: yearly, with renewal on time; otherwise the name goes through grace and redemption stages.
- Accuracy of data: the data of the owner must be correct and can be checked.
- Disputes: are solved under the registry rules, with attention to trademark rights.
Who uses .ua
- Leading Ukrainian brands, banks, media and retailers.
- Government bodies and universities.
- Companies that want a short address with strong national identity.
- International brands with registered trademarks in Ukraine.
Strengths
The extension is short and formal, and it signals a serious relation to the country. It brings trust among Ukrainian customers and supports local search. Because of the trademark requirement, the zone has fewer low-quality names than open zones.
Weaknesses
- The registration conditions are stricter than for .com.ua, and you need documents.
- The process may take more time than registering an open zone.
- Foreign audiences may be less familiar with it than with .com.
Tips before you register
- Check whether you have the trademark documents that the registry requires.
- Consider registering .com.ua as the first, easier step while you prepare the documents for .ua.
- Choose a brand name that is the same in all zones you use.
- Prepare the hosting and DNS in advance, and use HTTPS.
- Keep the contact e-mail and the registrar account safe, and set auto-renewal.
.ua together with other zones
Many companies keep .ua as the main official address, with .com.ua and .com as protective names that redirect to it. This protects the brand from imitations and keeps all traffic in one place.
Frequently asked questions
Can I register .ua without a trademark? The short zone has requirements about rights to the name. If you do not have them, .com.ua is a simpler alternative.
Can a foreign company register .ua? It can if it meets the conditions, for example with a trademark protected in Ukraine.
Is .ua better than .com.ua? It is shorter and more formal; .com.ua is easier to obtain.
