Extension
.hr
.hr in short
The .hr domain is the country-code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Croatia, delegated in 1993 and administered by CARNet. It is primarily reserved for Croatian citizens, residents and registered companies, and it is the trusted national address for sites aimed at the Croatian market.
.hr at a glance
Type
ccTLD — Country-code top-level domain
Registry
CARNet — Croatian Academic and Research Network
Launched
1993
Country / scope
Croatia
Restrictions
Croatian citizens, residents and registered companies/organisations (with provisions for some foreign entities)
Typical price
$82/yr
Example sites
Croatian news, business & public sites
Source: IANA root zone database & registry data · methodology
Where to register a .hr domain
Eligibility rules apply — check the requirements above before registering. Prices are indicative and set by each registrar; renewal rates may differ from first-year promotions. Links may be sponsored. tldlist.us is an independent reference and not a registrar.
What does .hr mean?
The .hr extension is the national domain of Croatia — “HR” for Hrvatska, the country's name in its own language. It was delegated in 1993, soon after Croatian independence, and has been administered ever since by CARNet, the Croatian Academic and Research Network.
For its first years .hr was largely the preserve of institutions and companies; direct registration by private citizens opened up around 2000. Today it is the default, trusted address for Croatian organisations, with the second-level .com.hr also available as an open commercial alternative.
Who uses .hr?
Croatian businesses, media, public bodies and individuals. Major national sites — the news portals index.hr and jutarnji.hr, the broadcaster rtl.hr — sit on .hr, and a Croatian address carries clear local credibility.
International companies that want a visible Croatian presence also register, using either the gated direct .hr (where they qualify) or the more openly available com.hr second level.
.hr registration rules and requirements
This is a restricted ccTLD. Direct .hr names are intended for Croatian citizens, residents and companies or organisations registered in Croatia, with specific category rules administered by CARNet; certain foreign entities can qualify under defined provisions. If you do not meet the direct-.hr criteria, the open com.hr second level is the usual route for a Croatian-flavoured name.
How much does a .hr cost?
Direct .hr is comparatively expensive among European codes, commonly around $82 per year at international registrars, reflecting the eligibility handling. The open com.hr second level is much cheaper, often under $10, which is why many businesses choose it.
Is .hr good for SEO?
For a Croatian audience, .hr is read as a strong geo-signal toward Croatia, which supports local relevance — useful if your market is domestic. The same signal can limit international reach. There is no ranking penalty and no inherent boost beyond geo-targeting; audience fit is the real question. See how to compare and choose a TLD.
.hr vs alternatives
For a Croatian business the practical contest is direct .hr (trusted but gated and pricier) versus the open com.hr, or a global .com/.eu for reach. Compared with neighbouring codes such as .sk it sits among the more restrictive European ccTLDs.
.hr pros and cons
Pros
- Strong, trusted “this is Croatian” signal for the local market.
- Good local geo-targeting for a Croatian audience.
- Backed by CARNet, the established national network.
- Open com.hr second level available as a fallback.
Cons
- Direct .hr is restricted to Croatian citizens/residents/companies.
- Comparatively expensive for direct registration.
- Geo-signal can limit international reach.
- Less recognised abroad than .com.
Example .hr websites
- index.hr — one of Croatia's largest news and media portals.
- jutarnji.hr — Jutarnji list, a major Croatian daily newspaper online.
- rtl.hr — the Croatian site of broadcaster RTL.
.hr — frequently asked questions
What is the .hr domain?
The .hr domain is the country-code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Croatia, delegated in 1993 and administered by CARNet (the Croatian Academic and Research Network). “HR” stands for Hrvatska, the Croatian name for the country. It is the trusted national address for Croatian sites.
Who can register a .hr domain?
Direct .hr names are intended for Croatian citizens, residents and companies or organisations registered in Croatia, under category rules set by CARNet, with provisions for some foreign entities. If you do not qualify, the open com.hr second level is the usual alternative.
How much does a .hr domain cost?
Direct .hr is comparatively expensive, commonly around $82 per year at international registrars. The open com.hr second level is much cheaper, often under $10.
What is the difference between .hr and com.hr?
.hr is the gated direct national domain reserved mainly for Croatian citizens, residents and registered companies. com.hr is an open second-level option that anyone can register for a Croatian-flavoured address, usually at a much lower price.