What is the .lu domain?

.lu is the internet ccTLD for the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. It is administered by RESTENA, Réseau Téléinformatique de l’Education Nationale et de la Recherche, the country’s high speed network operator. For years, applicants had to go through the slightly ludicrous process of a paper filing to get a .lu domain name, but RESTENA now uses accredited registrars to provide the service.

There are no limitations on who can register a .lu domain; businesses no longer have to provide an administrative contact in the country, and individuals too can register regardless of where they are based. This is not a very popular ccTLD; the country has a population of only half a million. However, Luxembroug has a very well developed finance industry and holds a number of major multinationals’ European headquarters thanks to its favourable tax regime.

Using an .lu domain name can be a way to get a domain name that has been registered under larger ccTLDs. And of course for companies actually doing business in Luxembourg, a local domain name remains an excellent way of proving their credentials and topping local searches.