Published: 17.10.2026
The .pt extension is the country-code domain of Portugal, a country on the western edge of the Iberian Peninsula with Lisbon as its capital. Portuguese companies, schools, clubs and public services use it to show that they are rooted in Portugal and that they write for Portuguese readers. Use the availability form just below this text to see whether your name in .pt is still free.
Check if a .pt domain is available .pt Check
A short history
Portugal received its national code in the early years of the internet, when the network was still mainly a tool for universities and research groups. Over the following years the zone spread as banks, media outlets, shops and local firms began to publish their own websites. Today .pt is a familiar part of Portuguese online life. Like any national zone, its rules are set by the registry and can be updated, so the current terms are the ones to read before you order.
Who runs it
The zone is administered by a national registry, which keeps the central database of names and publishes the conditions for holders. Registrars sell names to customers and pass the orders on, so the company you buy from is a registrar rather than the registry itself. When a question comes up about eligibility, holder details or transfers, the registry's published terms are the reference point.
Rules in practice
- Holder conditions: the registry may set conditions on who can hold a .pt name, so check them before you pay.
- Contact data: the details you give must be accurate, and they may need to be confirmed later.
- Name format: a name uses letters, digits and hyphens, and a single label can be up to 63 characters long.
- Accents: Portuguese spelling uses marks such as ç and ã. Whether such letters can be registered depends on the current rules, so most people choose a plain spelling.
Who uses .pt
- Portuguese companies of every size, from small family firms to larger businesses.
- Restaurants, wine producers, hotels and tour operators that serve visitors to Portugal.
- Schools, university departments, associations and sports clubs with a Portuguese audience.
- Consultants, lawyers and other professionals who work mainly with clients in Portugal.
Strengths
- The ending tells visitors at once that a business is based in Portugal, which helps local customers feel confident.
- A .pt address points clearly to Portugal, which is useful because Portuguese is also spoken in Brazil and several African countries, and readers there may look for their own endings.
- The zone is familiar to Portuguese users, so the name needs little explanation on a shop front, a menu or a business card.
Things to keep in mind
- A .pt name points to Portugal, so a site for Brazilian or African readers may need a different ending.
- Holder conditions may mean that not everyone can register a name in the zone.
- Short Portuguese words are often taken already, so keep two or three alternatives ready.
- Visitors from outside Portugal may type .com out of habit, so decide early whether you need both.
Tips before you register
- Search for the same name in .com and in the social networks you plan to use.
- Enter company or personal details exactly as they appear in your official papers.
- Decide which language each page uses, and check the Portuguese spelling and accents carefully.
- Publish clear contact details and a legal notice, which business websites are generally expected to show.
- Set up SPF, DKIM and DMARC records before the domain sends newsletters or invoices by e-mail.
- Turn on auto-renewal and protect the registrar account with two-factor login.
Frequently asked questions
Can someone outside Portugal register a .pt name? That depends on the eligibility rules the registry applies to holders. Check the current terms before you order, because the answer may depend on your situation.
Does a .pt domain help a site rank in Portuguese search? It is one geographic signal among many. Clear Portuguese content, fast pages and genuine links usually matter more.
Can a site for Brazilian readers use .pt? The ending does not fix the language, but Brazilian visitors may expect a Brazilian address, so think about which audience matters most before you choose.
