.eu starts 2026 strong ahead of 20th anniversary

The first quarter of 2026 set a positive tone for the .eu domain name, combining initiatives with a continued focus on building a secure and inclusive digital environment. As .eu approaches its 20th anniversary in April 2026, EURid is both reflecting on its journey and preparing to mark the milestone in May.

Among the developments was the introduction of a reduced fee for .eu Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) procedures. In collaboration with the Czech Arbitration Court and the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center, EURid is offering a EUR 600 discount throughout 2026. This lowers the cost of filing a case from EUR 1,300 to EUR 700, making dispute resolution more accessible to stakeholders across Europe.

Creativity and online safety also took center stage with the launch of the fourth edition of the SAFEonLINE Art Competition. Students aged 14 and above from across Europe are invited to express their vision of a safer internet through art. Shortlisted entries will gain international exposure, with exhibitions planned in Prague and two additional European cities.

EURid also reaffirmed its commitment to youth engagement by opening applications for its Youth Committee. The initiative drew interest from young people eager to contribute ideas and perspectives, with two new members set to join the group.

Looking ahead, preparations are underway for EuroDIG 2026, hosted by EURid with the support of the European Commission. Under the theme European Voices for the Future of the Internet, the event will bring together key stakeholders in Brussels on 26–27 May to shape the continent’s digital future.

Key figures for Q1 2026:

• Total number of .eu registrations: 3,810,119, representing 2.25% growth
• New domain name registrations: 182,156
• Average renewal rate: 81%

View the full Q1 2026 report for more statistics.