When will it be possible to register a .eu domain name? It is currently not yet possible to register a .eu domain name. This will be possible by  7 december 2005. However, you can request domain names from us now, we will place them on our waiting list and as soon as it becomes possible we will try to register the name for you. You pay nothing until the name is successfully registered. However if you do wish to reserve a name in the Sunrise Period, you must pay the special Sunrise charges in advance.

Schedule for .eu registrations

May 2003 to May 2005

• Drafting and publication of the Public Policy Rules
• Drafting of contracts and regulations
• Publication of comprehensive information on the EURid website. This information will be translated into all EU languages
• Contracts and agreements need to be concluded with the various players
• Signing of the contract with the European Commission
• .eu registration begins with the signing of the .eu domain contract with the European Commission and the placing by ICANN of the eu top level domain in the root.
• March 2005 - ICANN agreement to adding the .eu to the DNS root servers
• PriceWaterhouseCoopers appointed to validate during the Sunrise process
• May 2005 - .eu added to DNS root servers, first .eu up and running (www.eurid.eu)
  

June 2005

• Accreditation of registrars in the various countries
• From 16 June 2005 it becomes possible to sign up as a registrar at the EURid. The list of participants (registrars) will then be published a week later on the EURid website.
  

August/September 2005

• System open for registrars (test phase)
• General terms and conditions to be published in all languages on the EURid website.
  

December 2005:

• The start of the Sunrise Period (lasting 4 months - starts 7 december 2005)
• During this period .eu domain names may already be registered.
  

April 2006

• EU domain names will be available for all European citizens.

Sunrise Period:
A Sunrise Period will be instigated for companies and individuals who own registered trade names. The Sunrise Period precedes the date when it becomes possible to request generic .eu domain names.



Above you can see the timetable for the Sunrise Period, the date for Sunrise pre-registration will be announced approximately 2 months in advance.