.eu Celebrates 20 Years of Connecting Europe Online
Today, the .eu domain name marks its 20th anniversary from its public launch, two decades of enabling a shared European digital identity and supporting millions of businesses, organisations, and citizens in building their presence online.
Launched on 7 April 2006, .eu recorded more than one million domain registrations within its first 24 hours, highlighting the immediate demand for a digital space rooted in Europe.
Since then, .eu has evolved into a truly inclusive, pan-European domain. The introduction of internationalised domain names (IDNs) enabled registrations in all official EU languages, while the addition of .ею in Cyrillic (2016) and .ευ in Greek (2019) scripts further broadened access. Eligibility was also extended to Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and EU citizens living abroad—strengthening connections across borders.
This development has been guided by a strong commitment to European values. Sustainability, in particular, has been a key focus, with the registry behind .eu becoming the first European top-level domain operator registered under the EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) in 2012. Initiatives such as the .eu Web Awards and SAFEonLINE continue to highlight creativity and innovation across the .eu community.
Providing a secure and dependable online environment remains central to .eu. In response to increasingly sophisticated digital risks, measures such as the Abuse Prevention and Early Warning System (APEWS), Know Your Customer (KYC) processes, and enhanced data quality systems have been introduced, helping ensure a safe and reliable space online.
“Over the past 20 years, we have seen continuous transformation, from rapid technological advances to evolving security challenges,” said Peter Janssen, General Manager of EURid. “Throughout this time, the confidence placed in .eu and the strength of our community have been key. Our progress is built on close collaboration with our registrar network, partners, and stakeholders across Europe, and we are truly grateful for their support. Looking ahead, we remain committed to continuing to serve Europe’s online community.”
To celebrate this milestone, you don’t have to go far to join the fun! You could win 2 Interrail Global Passes all you need is a .eu domain and a bit of luck playing our .eu Rail Connect game until 30 April. Ready. Set. Play here.
.eu – Powered by trust. Driven by Europe.
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