deTopLevelDomain

deTopLevelDomain, commonly known as .de, is the country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Germany. It is intended for entities connected with Germany and is one of the most widely used ccTLDs in the world. The registry and policy authority for .de is DENIC eG (Deutsches Network Information Center), a cooperative owned by German network operators and service providers. DENIC operates the .de registry, maintains the database of registered domain names, and coordinates with accredited registrars to process registrations. The policy framework for .de is developed in collaboration with its members and the registrar community, with responsibilities including registration rules, WHOIS data handling, and technical standards.

Registration is performed through DENIC-accredited registrars. Registrants can be individuals or organizations worldwide; there is no strict residency requirement, but registrants must provide valid contact information and comply with DENIC's rules. Many .de registrations are at the second-level or direct under the TLD, with numerous domain names used by German businesses, institutions, and individuals. The TLD supports modern DNS features such as DNSSEC, and many providers offer secure DNS configurations.

In terms of reach, .de is widely used in Germany and by German-speaking communities, reflecting Germany's large internet presence. It is regarded as a trusted, stable domain space for German brands and services, and it plays a central role in local digital infrastructure.

Historically, .de was introduced in the 1980s and later brought under DENIC's management as the registry operator; since then it has evolved with improvements in policy, security, and internationalization.