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The Number of Estonian .ee Domains More Than Doubled in a Decade

"Entrepreneurs increasingly recognize the value of using addresses with Estonia's country code, and the use of the national domain has more than doubled in the past decade," said Heiki Sibul, board member of the EIF. "This rise in the value of the Estonian domain has also led to an increase in domain-related threats. Companies should register relevant domains early and remain vigilant about the security of their existing domains."

As of November 14, 2024, a total of 172,716 .ee domains have been registered, compared to 79,119 a decade earlier (as of November 14, 2014). Most of these domains are registered in Estonia (141,913), followed by China (7,947), the USA (2,436), Lithuania (2,413), Germany (2,095), and Sweden (1,924).

Three-quarters of registrants (71,270) own a single domain, while 19,276 registrants own 2–4 domains. Meanwhile, 3,009 registrants manage 5–10 domains, and 1,059 registrants hold between 11 and 1,000 domains. "As good domains are valuable assets, domain investors are increasingly active. Currently, one registrant owns over 2,000 .ee domain addresses," Sibul added.

The Estonian Internet Foundation is launching a domain threat awareness campaign aimed at entrepreneurs. The initiative encourages start-up companies to register their .ee domain names early and urges active businesses to ensure timely renewal of their domains.

Recommendations to Reduce Domain Threats:

• Register Your .ee Domain Immediately. When establishing a company, secure a domain name ending in .ee without delay.
• Protect Your Digital Identity. A domain and website featuring your company’s name are among the most secure and effective tools for showcasing your activities. Allowing your domain registration to expire risks losing a vital part of your digital presence.
• Plan for Long-Term Registration. Estonian top-level domains can be registered for durations ranging from 3 months to 10 years. Ensure timely renewal, as expired domains may end up in the .ee domain auction.
• Ensure Accessibility. Many email addresses are tied to company domains. Losing your domain can result in lost access to old emails and the inability to receive new ones.

About the Estonian Internet Foundation
The Estonian Internet Foundation (EIF) represents the Estonian Internet community and manages domains with the .ee country code. EIF also represents Estonia in the global Internet community, oversees the registration of top-level domains, and facilitates the arbitration of domain disputes.