.eu celebrates 19 years of connecting Europe online

On 7 April 2025, the .eu domain name marks its 19th anniversary—nearly two decades of connecting European citizens, institutions, and businesses across the digital landscape. Since its launch in 2006, the .eu top-level domain (TLD), managed by EURid, has grown into a trusted and recognisable symbol of European identity online.

Over the past years, .eu has achieved several key milestones. EURid was reappointed by the European Commission through to 2027, affirming its strong record of technical reliability, customer service, and policy expertise. Today, the domain boasts around 3.7 million registrations, with Germany, the Netherlands and France leading the way.

Security and trust have been central to the .eu mission. The introduction of the Abuse Prevention and Early Warning System (APEWS) in 2019 marked a major step forward—using artificial intelligence to identify and block suspicious domain registrations before they go live. Together with DNSSEC and Lock Services, these measures have fortified the domain’s defences and strengthened user confidence.

Inclusivity has also been a priority. Since 2021, EU and EEA citizens living anywhere in the world have been eligible to register .eu domains, extending the reach of Europe's digital identity far beyond its physical borders. In support of linguistic and cultural diversity, EURid also manages the Cyrillic (.ею) and Greek (.ευ) extensions, enabling users to register domain names entirely in their native scripts—an important step towards a more inclusive and multilingual internet.

In line with Europe’s environmental goals, EURid has maintained EMAS certification, consistently applying sustainable practices in its operations. Collaborations with key institutions such as Europol and EUIPO have further advanced efforts to combat cybercrime and safeguard intellectual property online.

Most recently, EURid unveiled a refreshed website in March 2025, designed to ensure that .eu users enjoy the best possible online experience. With a more modern, intuitive, and accessible interface, the new site underscores EURid’s commitment to putting users first while continuing to drive innovation and service excellence.

As .eu enters its 20th year, it continues to represent a shared space for Europeans online—secure, inclusive, and future-focused. A domain name not just for Europe, but of Europe.