# ccTLD and gTLD: Country-Code and Generic Domain Zones

> How country-code zones (.at, .to, .de) differ from generic ones (.com, .top, .xyz): registry rules, owner requirements, prices, risks and what to pick.

- Language: en
- Published: 2026-11-01 · Updated: 2026-11-01
- HTML: https://rikidomains.at/en/glossary/cctld-gtld/
- Markdown: https://rikidomains.at/en/glossary/cctld-gtld/index.md
- RU version: https://rikidomains.at/ru/glossary/cctld-gtld/

All domain zones fall into two big groups, and the difference between them defines the rules, prices and risks.

## gTLD: generic zones

.com, .net, .org, .info, .top, .xyz, .online and hundreds of new ones. The rules are set by ICANN, the registries are private, and there are no requirements on the owner's country or status. Registration is automatic, prices start at a few dollars, and competition for names is high.

## ccTLD: country-code zones

Two-letter zones of countries: .at (Austria), .to (Tonga), .de (Germany), .uk (United Kingdom). The rules are set by the national registry, and they differ: some require a local address or company, others are open to everyone, and some do not publish owner data at all. National registries may reject a registration or suspend domains for breaching local rules.

## Second and third levels

.com.co, .org.uk, .co.com, .com.de are addresses under someone else's domain: either an official second level of a national zone (.org.uk at Nominet) or a domain of a private operator that sells the third level (co.com and com.de at CentralNic). In that case the rules are set by the domain operator.

## What to choose

For tests and bulk registrations, cheap gTLDs. For a brand, .com or a short gTLD. For projects that need maximum stability, Riki Domains offers the verified zones of the Platinum and Titan plans (.at, .to, .com.co, .co.com, .ac and others). Every zone with prices is on the [price page](https://rikidomains.at/en/prices/), with details for each in the [Zones](https://rikidomains.at/en/tld/) section.

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## FAQ

**Do I need to live in Austria to buy a .at domain?**

No, nic.at does not require a local address. Some other national zones, such as .eu or .ca, do have such requirements.

**Why does a domain in a national zone cost more?**

National registries set their own wholesale prices, often higher than generic zones, and registration in some of them is done manually.