The .cat domain celebrates 20 years: from digital pioneer to key infrastructure for the Catalan-speaking community

The .cat domain celebrates 20 years: from digital pioneer to key infrastructure for the Catalan-speaking community

Twenty years ago, in 2005, the Catalan-speaking community made history by obtaining the first domain representing a cultural and linguistic community to be recognized by ICANN, the organization in charge of managing Internet domains. The birth of .cat was a global milestone: for the first time, a language and a culture—beyond a state—gained its own voice on the Internet.

A history of leadership

.cat was a pioneer and paved the way for other linguistic and cultural communities around the world to have their own digital space.
It was born thanks to the determination, vision, and leadership of forward-thinkers who anticipated that this symbol would become a true nation-building tool: a domain open to the world and a stronghold for our language and culture. The support of more than 98 organizations, 2,615 companies, and 65,468 individuals from all Catalan-speaking territories—not only from Catalonia, but also from Valencia, the Balearic Islands, La Franja, Andorra, Northern Catalonia, and Alghero—was also key to ICANN’s approval of the .cat domain. These unprecedented numbers highlight the strength and cohesion of our collective effort.
Today, twenty years later, the domain remains an international benchmark.

.cat in numbers

Even though the domain industry now competes with many other ways of having a digital presence, .cat has maintained a steady growth trajectory, with more than 113,000 active domains and a renewal rate of 87%. This reflects excellent health and a very high level of social engagement.

The .cat domain has consolidated itself as essential infrastructure for the Catalan language and culture. At the same time, it has served as a catalyst for technological, cultural, and business projects seeking to identify with the Catalan-speaking community and project themselves to the world with their own unique identity.
.cat blazed the trail and inspired other communities to create domains tied to their own cultures and languages. Examples include .gal (Galicia) and .eus (the Basque Country), which, although smaller in volume, also show strong growth rates.

A future with new goals

In the digital context of 2025, .cat is a strategic asset in the face of challenges such as artificial intelligence, the concentration of the domain market, and the need to ensure cybersecurity. The extension is envisioned not only as a visible symbol but also as infrastructure that ensures Catalan knowledge and content can be found, recognized, and valued—both by people and algorithms.
Beyond becoming an identity marker, the .cat domain faces the future by adding new uses and benefits for its users. These realities keep us attentive to new formats and to new communities creating content in our language—as well as to our digital rights to continue defending our way of life online.

A global anniversary

This 20th anniversary comes at a time of renewal: the .cat domain, managed by Accent Obert (formerly Fundació .cat), is reinforcing its mission to work locally with the Catalan-speaking community while also actively participating in major global debates on multilingualism, digital rights, and Internet governance.
“Twenty years later, .cat is not just a domain—it is the digital voice of our community. We celebrate the path we have taken and prepare to continue ensuring that Catalan has its own recognized place on the Internet, even in the era of artificial intelligence,” said Genís Roca, president of Accent Obert.