On December 2nd 2005 the European Commission announced that the '.eu' top-level domain, which enables businesses, public bodies and citizens to choose a pan-European name for their web sites, opens for business on 7 December 2005.

Initially, the possibility to apply for the registration of '.eu' names will be reserved to trademark holders and public bodies (from 7 December 2005 to 6 February 2006).

This possibility will then be extended to holders of other prior rights, such as company names or business identifiers (from 7 February to 6 April 2006). Finally, from 7 April 2006, anyone established in the European Union may apply to register a '.eu' domain name.

The first come first served principle will apply for registrations. Therefore, if two applicants have a prior right on the same name, the Registry will honour the application that it receives first. The same principle will apply once the Registry opens its doors for everybody beginning 7 April 2006.

The .eu top level domain is managed and operated by a private, not-for-profit Registry, Eurid, selected by the Commission following an open call. Eurid will register applications for the registration of domain names through a large net of accredited Registrars.

List of all registrars