Hi everyone,

This is another rule the thoughtful EU has kindly created for the UK. The EU have set a deadline - whatever the outcome of Brexit - if you own a .eu domain name, you must read this.

aprompt can help .eu domain owners with a new .co.uk domain and/or website if you need one. We can also manage your url redirects so you don’t lose your Google listings when your .eu domain is changed to a .co.uk or .com domain.

On 10 April 2018 EURid, the .eu registry manager, received a communication from the European Commission stating the following:

“The revocation of existing holders’ rights and the prohibition for registrars from processing any more requests for registrations or renewals for .eu domain names whose holders are no longer eligible must be prepared so that the necessary measures are effective as from 1 January 2021 or, in case that there were no withdrawal agreement in force before 30 March 2019, as from 30 March 2019.”

EU rules on .eu domain names

This is notice of the changes to the eligibility criteria for ownership of .eu domain names upon Britain's proposed exit from the European Union on 29 March 2019. The ongoing negotiations with the EU may alter the measures indicated below, but we feel it's important for you to be aware of, and to prepare for, what is to come in order to secure your domain(s) and business.

The full notice from the registry can be viewed at eurid.eu

What is happening with .eu domains?

In brief, the .eu registry, EURid, will revoke existing rights to all .eu domain names where the registrant contact data uses a GB (UK) or GI (Gibraltar) country code. This means that you will no longer be eligible to register or hold .eu domain names after the withdrawal date. The domain registry has outlined two scenarios which will affect you:

If no deal is agreed prior to 30 March 2019:

  • You won't be able to register a new .eu domain name with a GB/GI postal address;
  • Between 30 March 2019 and 30 May 2019, 00:00:00 CEST there will be a transitional period, enabling registrants to update the domain's contact data to comply with the EU rules;
  • The domains will remain active within the transitional period; changes to contact data and domain settings, as well as domain transfers to eligible EU registrants, will be allowed. However, domain renewal and transfers to other GB/GI country code registrants will not be allowed.

After 30 May 2019, 00:00:00 CEST, non-compliant domains will be withdrawn by the registry. This means that they, and any related services, will no longer function. However, they will remain in the registry's database. On 30 March 2020 00:00:00 CET, all withdrawn domain names will be revoked from the registry's database and made available for registration to eligible registrants.

If the UK leaves the EU after a transitional period ending 31 December 2020 (or later):

New registrations using the GB/GI country code will not be allowed from 1 January 2021, 00:00:00 CET;
Between 23 December 2020 and 2 March 2021, 00:00:00 CET, there will be a transitional period, enabling registrants to update the domain's contact data to comply with the EU rules.

The remaining conditions are identical to those in the 'No deal' scenario above, and withdrawn domains will be revoked on 1 January 2022 00:00:00 CET before being made available for registration to eligible registrants.

Note: Eligibility requires that you are either an individual who is resident in the EU or a business/organisation with a legal entity within the EU. This also means that EU nationals currently residing in the UK will lose their right to their .eu domain name unless they can demonstrate compliance.

What can I do now?

If you have a .eu domain name with us, please get in touch as soon as possible.

If you're resident or have a legal entity such as a business or organisation within one of the remaining 27 member states, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, you can update the registrant contact details now with a legitimate EU address.

Alternatively, you can transition your website traffic to a non-.eu equivalent domain extension of your choice to minimise potential inconvenience to your business or website users if the domain is withdrawn as planned; aprompt can help you do this upon request.

We can help you to implement the solutions above and, in addition to this, domain name registrars are working hard to develop a compliant and effective alternative solution. We'll provide more information to you soon. In the meantime, if you have any questions or concerns, please do get in touch and we will be happy to help.

Kindest regards,

aprompt Support Team