January 14, 2019

The guidance is for those who have existing domain name registrations under .eu or have an interest in registering a domain name under .eu.

The guidance explains that undertakings, organisations and individuals first need to establish whether, after the EU’s exit from the EU on 29 March 2019, they are still eligible to hold a .eu Top Level Domain in accordance with Article 4(2)(b) of the .eu Top Level Domain Regulation (733/2002/EC). The guidance is relevant to those who will no longer be eligible.

In its notice to stakeholders, the European Commission confirmed that in the event of the UK leaving the EU without a deal, the EU regulatory framework for the .eu Top Level Domain will no longer apply to the UK as from the withdrawal date. Therefore, undertakings and organisations that are established in the UK, but not in the EU, and individuals who reside in the UK, will no longer be eligible to register or renew .eu domain names.

The advice is, therefore, whether an organisation’s .eu domain name is due to expire before or after 29 March 2019, to consider transferring the registration to another Top Level Domain, such as .com, .co.uk, .net or .org.

The guidance also explains that the Commission’s notice states that where a holder of a domain name no longer fulfils the general eligibility criteria, the Registry for .eu will be entitled to revoke such a domain name on its own initiative. This would mean that .eu websites and email would become inaccessible. The advice here is, essentially, to seek further advice. To access the guidance in full, click here.