Brexit – what next for .eu domain names for UK holders?

United KingdomScotland

From 1 January 2021, organisations, businesses or undertakings established in the UK (but not in the EU), and individuals who lived outside the EU and were not EU citizens, became unable to hold, register or renew .eu domain names in the UK. Only EU citizens and residents, or organisations, businesses and undertakings established in the EU are now eligible to register or hold .eu domain names.

All UK registrants who could not meet the eligibility criteria had their .eu domain names suspended on 1 January 2021, with a deadline for reinstating these open until 30 June 2021 for those who could show they met the eligibility requirements.

Any .eu domains not reinstated by this date were “withdrawn” from use (i.e. any website or email addresses connected to that domain stopped functioning). Any domains which still have this withdrawn status after 31 December 2021 will be revoked on 1 January 2022, following which they will become available for registration by other individuals or entities.

Actions:

  • EU citizens residing in the UK should check with their registrar if they will need to provide proof of eligibility to continue using their .eu domain.
  • A migration plan for services and functions linked to a withdrawn or revoked .eu domain should be drawn up, if this has not been done already.
  • For any holders of Brexit-related withdrawn domain names who wish to prove their compliance with the eligibility criteria so that they can be reinstated, EURid has advised to contact them directly before 31 December 2021 (although given that withdrawn domain names will become available for general registration from the following day, it is advisable to contact them as soon as possible).

Article co-authored by Omri Shirion.