.mt and .com.mt Domains: How They Work and When You Need One
A .com.mt domain tells customers straight away that you are a Maltese business. But .mt domains work differently from .com, and they usually cost more. Here’s what you need to know before registering one.
Who runs .mt domains?
The .mt country domain is managed by NIC (Malta), the Network Information Centre Malta. Their rules decide who can register a name and how. You can read the full policy at nic.org.mt.
.mt, .com.mt, .org.mt: what’s the difference?
- .com.mt is for businesses that operate commercially, such as limited liability companies.
- .org.mt is for non-profit organisations.
- .net.mt is for network service providers.
- .edu.mt and .gov.mt are for recognised education institutions and the Government of Malta.
- .mt on its own (for example yourname.mt) is also available.
Do I need a Maltese company?
According to the NIC policy, you don’t have to be established in Malta. You must be the person or company that will use the domain, and for a name like yourbusiness.com.mt you must have the right to use that name, for example as your registered trade or business name. Some registrars ask for a copy of your company registration.
How much does it cost?
Expect a .com.mt domain to cost noticeably more than a .com, and some registrars add a setup fee for the first year. Prices differ between registrars, so compare a few. NIC (Malta) publishes its own fees on its website.
How long does registration take?
It depends on the registrar and on any documents needed. Some say a few working days, others allow up to a month. Don’t leave it until the week your website launches.
Should I choose .com.mt or .com?
- Choose .com.mt if you sell mainly to customers in Malta and want a clearly local address.
- Choose .com or .eu if you sell across Europe or want a cheaper, faster registration.
- Many businesses register both and point one to the other, so customers find them either way.
Using a .com.mt domain with BullHost
Your .mt domain stays registered with your registrar. You simply point it to your BullHost hosting by changing its nameservers or DNS records, and we help you do it. Your website and business email then run on your own address. We also sell .com, .eu, .net and .org domains, with .com from €19.90 a year.
This guide is general information. Always check the current NIC (Malta) policy before you register.