SE Domains

.SE domain registration requirements

Sweden has an open domain registration system. For most businesses, registration is straightforward: individuals and organizations can apply for an available .SE domain regardless of where they’re based.

Names are registered directly under .SE, without needing an additional extension. However, some names are blocked or reserved, and applicants must provide accurate identification information.

Who can register a .SE domain?

You don’t need to run a Swedish business to register a .SE domain. Individuals, companies and organizations can apply, provided their chosen name is available.

Applicants must be identifiable through a personal identification number, company registration number or equivalent official information.

The registry follows a first-come, first-served system. This means the first eligible applicant generally receives an available name without a preliminary assessment of trademark rights.

Can foreigners register a .SE domain?

Yes. Swedish residency isn’t required to register a .SE domain, and foreign companies don’t need to establish a local business.

A company based in Europe, for instance, can register a .SE address for its Swedish operations without incorporating a separate Swedish company.

Foreign applicants can provide identification or company registration information from their home country. The same general eligibility applies to individuals living outside Sweden.

Available .SE domain extensions

Most Swedish websites use .SE directly, but several historical second-level namespaces also exist:

• .SE: The main extension, open to individuals, businesses and organizations.
• .ORG.SE: Historically associated with nonprofit associations.
• .PP.SE: Originally intended for private individuals.
• .TM.SE: Historically used for trademarks protected in Sweden.
• .PRESS.SE: Traditionally associated with periodical publications.
• .PARTI.SE: Associated with registered political parties.
• County-based extensions: Regional namespaces such as .A.SE for Stockholm County and .M.SE for Skåne County.

These historical namespaces aren’t open alternatives to .SE. Some no longer accept new registrations, although existing domains can remain active if they’re renewed.

For most new registrations, a direct .SE domain is the appropriate choice.

Required documents and restrictions

For a typical .SE registration, you’ll need to provide your name or company name, identification or registration number, phone number and email address.

There’s generally no need for Swedish identification or company incorporation documents if you can provide equivalent information from another country.

However, identity verification is required. According to the Swedish Internet Foundation’s verification guidance, registrars may use electronic identification, identity documents, company registration certificates or email and phone verification.

How to register a .SE domain

Start by choosing a name and checking whether it’s available. The Swedish Internet Foundation provides a domain search tool that can help you check existing registrations.

If the name is available, select an authorized registrar and complete the registration using your personal or company information.

The registrar verifies the necessary details, processes your application and arranges payment. You’ll also need to configure your DNS settings so the domain points to your website or other services.

.SE registrations are handled through authorized registrars rather than directly through the Swedish Internet Foundation.

.SE domain rules and regulations

Sweden’s domain namespace is managed by the Swedish Internet Foundation (Internetstiftelsen), an independent organization responsible for administering .SE registrations.

According to its registration policies, names must contain between 1 and 63 characters. Letters, numbers and permitted hyphens can be used, although hyphens cannot appear at the beginning or end of a name. Certain hyphen combinations are also restricted.

.SE supports internationalized domain names (IDNs), including Swedish characters such as å, ä and ö. Characters used in Sweden’s recognized minority languages and other Nordic languages are also supported, subject to the registry’s technical requirements.

Some names are blocked or reserved. These include certain official designations, number combinations resembling Swedish personal identification numbers and names reserved for technical or administrative purposes.

Trademark rights are another consideration. Registering a domain doesn’t give someone unrestricted rights to a brand name, and abusive registrations may be challenged.

.SE domain transfers, renewals and expiration

Domain Transfers

Moving a .SE domain between authorized registrars is permitted. The current registrar must provide an authorization code when requested by the domain holder.

Under the registry’s standard procedure, this code must be supplied within five working days. The receiving registrar then uses it to complete the transfer.

Changing registrars doesn’t automatically change the registered holder of the domain. Ownership transfers follow a separate procedure and require the new holder to accept the registration terms.

Domain Renewal and Expiration

.SE domains can be registered for one to ten years, with renewals handled through the registrar.

An expired domain remains in the registry’s expired status for ten days. If it isn’t renewed during that period, it becomes deactivated and stops resolving on the internet.

The domain then enters a 60-day deactivation period, during which the existing holder can still renew it. If no renewal takes place, the registration is cancelled and the name enters quarantine before being released.

Once released, the domain becomes available to other applicants. The stages are explained in the Swedish Internet Foundation’s domain lifecycle guidance.

Domain Disputes

Sweden has an alternative dispute resolution process for certain abusive domain registrations.

A rights holder may challenge a domain if it conflicts with a name protected in Sweden, the registrant lacks legitimate rights or interests, and the name was registered or used in bad faith.

Eligible complaints can result in a domain being transferred or cancelled. The process is administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), as explained in the Swedish Internet Foundation’s dispute resolution guidance.

Why register a .SE domain?

For a company serving Swedish customers, a .SE address is a straightforward way to identify its local website. It also allows international businesses to maintain a country-specific address alongside their main domain.

Registering relevant versions of a brand name can support portfolio management, particularly when a business operates across several European markets.