.EU domains and Brexit – everything you need to know in 2021
Following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU on 1st February 2020, UK or Gibraltar based individuals and businesses are no longer eligible to register a .eu domain name. If you currently hold a .eu domain or are considering registering one, the information provided here will explain how this affects you and what you need to do. It’s also worth reading up on How to Choose the Right Domain Name for your Business before you make your decisions on what domain to register.
The Brexit Withdrawal Agreement provided a transition period until 31st December 2020 (for details, see EURid’s Brexit Notice). That period has now passed, and EURid has confirmed that UK residents can no longer register or renew domain names as a result of Brexit.
What does this mean for you?
Existing .eu domain holders
From 1st January 2021, EURid has suspended .eu domains with UK and Gibraltar registrants, meaning they can no longer be attached to web and email services, unless the domain owner is able to demonstrate their compliance with the .eu eligibility criteria, by updating their registrant data.
If you can provide an address that meets the eligibility criteria before 1st July 2021, your domain will be reinstated.
New registrations
From 1st January 2021, EURid will not accept new registrations where the registrant is based in the UK or Gibraltar.
I have an existing domain , what do I need to do?
I have an address within the EU:
You will need to update your registrant details via your Online Control Panel/Account by following the steps below:
– Firstly, log in to your Online Control Panel at https://www.lcn.com/login
– Now click on the domain name you are going to update.
– A little way down the page, in the ‘Domain Registrant Details’ section, click the ‘Edit’ link on the right side of the page
– On this page, you can enter the registrant information exactly as you would like it to appear (please ensure you enter your EU address details in here)
– To apply your changes, click the ‘Save’ button
Please note, if you need to update the legal registrant name (first and last name, and/or business/company) there is a fee of £10+VAT, which includes the renewal of your .eu domain name for 1 year. To update the registrant in full, raise a ticket from your Online Control Panel using the subject “Brexit .eu enquiry” including your domain and the new details and we will get it set up for you.
LCN Declaration of citizenship
Please return the attached form to us before 15th June 2021, this will ensure EURid time to update your domain before it is withdrawn on 1st July 2021.
Under the current process, this information will not be validated by EURid – should they decide to in the future and find that this information is not acceptable we cannot be held responsible for the loss of your .eu domain name.
I do not have an address within the EU, nor am I an EU citizen:
If you do not have an EU address or are a citizen of one of the Union Member States, you will no longer be eligible to hold a .eu domain name. On 1st July 2021, EURid will withdraw your .eu domain, removing it from the zone file and then on the 1st January 2022, your domain name will be revoked and returned to the open market.
From 1st January 2021, your domain will not work; this means that any email or web services associated with it will also not function. For this reason, we suggest you register a new domain name as quickly as possible. You will then be able to associate your other services to this new domain.
Have a question?
If you have any questions, please raise a ticket from your Online Control Panel using the subject “Brexit .eu enquiry” and please make sure to include your domain.