How to Register a .ch Domain in Switzerland
A plain-language guide to .ch domains: who can register one, what they cost, how long it takes, and how to get yours, plus .ch vs .li.
How to register a .ch domain in Switzerland
.ch is the official country-code domain for Switzerland. Whether you run a Swiss business, freelance, or live abroad and want a Swiss web address, this guide covers what a .ch domain is, who can register one, what it costs, and how to get yours.
When you are ready to register, the Register a domain guide walks through every screen in your YWT account. This page is the background to read first.
What is a .ch domain?
A .ch domain is the country-code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Switzerland. The "CH" comes from Confoederatio Helvetica, the Latin name for the country. It is the web address people associate with Switzerland, the same way .de means Germany and .fr means France.
.ch is run by SWITCH, the official registry for Swiss domain names. You do not register with SWITCH directly. You register through an accredited registrar such as YourWebTech, which talks to the registry on your behalf.
Liechtenstein's .li domain uses the same registry and works almost identically, so most of this guide applies to both.
Who can register a .ch domain?
Anyone, anywhere. There is no Swiss residency or citizenship requirement for a .ch domain, and individuals and companies from any country can register one.
What the registry does require is accurate registrant contact information: your real name (or organisation name), address, email, and phone number. SWITCH can verify these details, and false or inaccurate data can get a domain suspended. Treat it as legal ownership data, not a marketing form.
What does a .ch domain cost?
.ch domains are billed as a yearly registration in Swiss francs (CHF). The price covers the registry fee plus the registrar's service, with no separate setup cost. Rates change over time, so check the live figure on the pricing page instead of trusting a number that may be out of date.
A YWT registration usually includes the following at no extra cost:
- Full DNS management, including A, AAAA, CNAME, MX, and TXT records.
- Optional DNSSEC for protection against DNS spoofing.
- WHOIS privacy for individuals (covered below).
- Auto-renew, so the domain does not lapse by accident.
How long does registration take?
Most .ch and .li registrations are active within minutes of payment, because the registry processes them in near real time. Occasionally it takes a little longer, and you get an email once the domain is live.
Register your domain, step by step
The full click-by-click flow lives in Register a domain. In short:
Search for a name
Search your desired name on the YWT homepage or the Domains page. YWT checks .ch and .li availability in real time. Short, memorable names work best.
Add it to your cart and enter registrant details
Add the available domain to your cart and fill in the registrant contact information. This is registry-facing legal data, so keep it accurate.
Pay and go live
Complete checkout with the payment methods shown there. After payment, the registration goes to SWITCH and your domain is usually live within minutes.
You will need a YourWebTech account first. It is free to create.
After you register
Once the domain is in your account, you can do a few things with it:
- Point it anywhere using the built-in DNS manager, or switch to external nameservers and manage records elsewhere.
- Connect it to a YWT-hosted website, which gets automatic HTTPS.
- Protect it by enabling DNSSEC and keeping auto-renew on.
.ch vs .li: which should you choose?
.ch | .li | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Switzerland | Liechtenstein |
| Registry | SWITCH | SWITCH |
| Residency required | No | No |
| Best for | Swiss-facing brands and the widest recognition in Switzerland | A Liechtenstein presence, or a short alternative when the .ch is taken |
If your .ch name is taken, the .li is often still free, and the reverse happens too. Many businesses register both to protect the brand.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to live in Switzerland to register a .ch domain?
No. .ch has no residency requirement. Anyone in the world can register one, as long as the registrant details are accurate.
How much is a .ch domain? It is a yearly fee in CHF that already includes the registry cost. Check the current pricing for the exact rate, since it can change.
How long until my .ch domain works? Usually a few minutes after payment. Registry processing is fast, and you get an email when the domain is active.
Is my personal information public in WHOIS?
For .ch and .li domains, the SWITCH registry does not publish the personal contact details of private individuals in public WHOIS results. Organisation registrations can show more. See WHOIS lookup for details.
Can I move an existing .ch domain to YourWebTech? Yes. You can transfer a domain from another registrar using its authorization code (AuthCode).
Can I register a domain without building a website? Yes. Registration and hosting are separate. You can park the domain, point it elsewhere, or just hold the name. See using a domain with an external host.
Next steps
- Register a .ch or .li domain for the full walkthrough.
- Domain pricing for current rates.
- Host your first website to put your new domain to work.
Last updated: 2026-06-03.