Can you keep a .EU domain after Brexit?

EUrid, who are the domain name registry for .eu domains, have said that next steps haven’t been determined, and that they’re expecting instructions from the European Commission only when Brexit negotiations have been completed.

The instructions on who can register a .eu domain name are very clear. You must demonstrate as a registrant that you are:

(i) An undertaking having its registered office, central administration or principal place of business within the EU, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, or;
(ii) An organisation established within the EU, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein without prejudice to the application of national law, or;
(iii) A natural person resident within the EU, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein.

Currently UK registrants tick all of those boxes already by dint of being in the EU. Post Brexit they won’t automatically tick any of them.

How can I keep my .eu domain name after Brexit?

• If you’re a large enough corporation, you’re likely to be able to register domains in other elibigle EU territories, through subsidiaries
• If you’re a small business or individual you can become an e-Resident of the Republic of Estonia

It will be a fairly simple thing to do as a larger business who has a subsidiary in an EU state to transfer the domain ownership to that subsidiary. Once the transfer is complete, then this will comply with the EU rules as we understand them now.

Transferring a domain name can be simple process through your domain registrar. It may be that you’re using a retail domain registrar like GoDaddy, or 123-Reg, or that you’re using a corporate domain registrar like Com Laude. Either way, give Bluehoop Digital a call on 01943 968262 and we’ll be able to help you transfer your domain safely so you can keep control of it.

If you’re a smaller business or individual, although we’ve not checked this out fully, the e-Residency option with the Republic of Estonia looks an interesting option! The e-resident.gov.ee website says that e-Residency is available to anyone in the world, and allows you to start and run a global business in a trusted EU environment.