European Domain Centre

We offer all 270 top level domains, so no need to register with more than one provider.
Domain knowledge: Local presence agreements for several countries, experts in requirements.
Consistent and easy to access service: Live chat, email and telephone
Secure administration: Ascio Technologies A/S (one of the largest European registrars) is responsible for the technical administration

What is the focus of your service?

Our aim is to make the service as informative, easy and quick as possible. The way we do this is by providing an informative web site, easy and quick communication with us (chat,email, telephone) and quick processing. It is an ongoing process and we are happy to hear from you about any improvements you would like to see.

Where can I read more about European Domain Centre?

You can find additional information in the section About us.

General about domains

What are top level domains?

There are two different kinds of top-level domains: country code and generic. Country code domains indicate a country origin (.fr (France), .jp (Japan) etc.). Generic domains are non-country specific : .com (commercial), .net (network), .org (organizations) etc.

How many Top Level domains exist?

There are currently 251 country code top level domains (http://www.iana.org/root-whois/index.html) and 19 generic top level domains http://www.iana.org/gtld/gtld.htm

What is the minimum/maximum characters for a domain?

The length of a domain name varies depending on the rules set out by the local hostmaster. Please check Domain info

What is IDN?

stands for Internationalized Domain Name, which are domains displayed in native characters others than a-z and 0-9. Please check IDN table for a full list.

Can a domain name include any character?

In general you can use any combination of the letters A through Z, the numbers 0 trough 9 and hyphens (-). Please check the IDN table to see for which top level domains you can use other characters.

Whois information

What is Whois?

Whois provides information about the registrant of a particular domain name.

Where can I see the WHOIS registrant information?

There is a link to all Domain Registries at http://www.norid.no/domenenavnbaser/domreg.html

Domain registration and order process

How long does it take to register a domain?

It depends which domain you wish to register. The processing time is anywhere between 1 and 14 days. There are some extreme examples, but please check the Domain info.

How does the order process work?

When the order has been made, we will verify it. When confirmed you will receive a confirmation with the invoice enclosed and the amount will be charged to your credit card. If documentation is required we will inform you in this email. When the order has been completed you will receive a confirmation. If you pay by wire transfer then we will send you an invoice and initiate the registration when payment has been confirmed.

Why do some top level domains require documentation?

Some top level domains require documentation to prove that it can be registered by the applicant. This measure is a way for the local hostmasters to control that a registrant has prior rights to a domain. You can check the info box next to the domain when making a search. It will explain if there are any requirements.

For which countries do you provide a required local address?

Some top level domains require a local presence. We are continuosly adding local presence agreements where this is required, so you can register as well. Please go here to see the local presence list.

When will you charge me for a registration?

You will be charged when we confirm the order. In the case that a domain cannot be registered we will refund you the amount (- bank charges). Please make sure to check domain requirements before submitting in order to ensure that you are allowed to register the domain.

Who has to pay VAT?

There is a 25% VAT added for clients from Denmark or individual registrants within the EU. All other entities are exempt from tax.

For how many years can I register a domain?

You can register or renew a domain from 1 to 5 years. Some hostmasters only register domains for 1 or 2 years, but our renewal service will automatically renew your domains annually.

How can I check that my order has gone through?

You should have received a confirmation by e-mail with an order number. If you have not received such a mail, then your request has not gone through. Please try to register again or contact us.

Can I cancel an order?

If the domain has not yet been registered, then you can cancel the order. As many domains are processed automatically and are registered immediately and therefore cannot be cancelled.

How will I receive the invoice?

You will receive the invoice by email when we send a confirmation that your registrations and renewals are completed.

Domain renewal

When will I receive a renewal reminder?

You will receive a renewal reminder 60 days before the internal expiry date. If you have not reacted to the renewal reminder tehn another one will be send 30 days later and again 7 days before the deadline. If no renewal has been made within this period, then the domain will be set to expire. Our internal expiry date is set 30 days before the WHOIS date in order to make sure that domains are correctly renewed or expired. It will still be possible to renew the domain after the internal expiry date and before the WHOIS date, however there could be an additional cost involved.

Upon renewal the new period will commence when the old period ends, so there is no reason to wait with the renewal until the last moment.

For how many years can I renew a domain?

You can renew a domain from 1 to 5 years. Some hostmasters only renew domains for 1 or 2 years, but our renewal system will automatically renew your domains annually for the selected period.

Why do I have to renew the domain 30 days before the actual expiry date?

It is better to be safe than sorry! We are obliged by certain hostmasters to verify and pay for renewals up to 30 days before the actual expiry date. Therefore, we need an initial period to make sure that domains are renewed or expired correctly.

Upon renewal the new period will commence when the old period ends, so there is no reason to wait with the renewal until the last moment.

I forgot to renew my domain in time, can you still recover it?

In general it should be possible to recover and renew a domain before the actual WHOIS expiry date. However, depending on the local hostmaster it is possible that a restore fee may be charged.

Domain transfer

How can I transfer a domain to European Domain Centre?

Go to the Domain transfers section. You will see here an overview of requirements, and you can submit a domain transfer. You will then receive an email with the invoice and documentation enclosed. As soon as the invoice has been paid we will initiate the process. To make the process even quicker you can also download the necessary documentation in the section and send it to us by email or fax.

DNS update

What is DNS?

The Domain Name System (DNS) translates domains into IP addresses.

Which DNS do you provide?

We use ASCIO DNS on servers located in the Netherlands and the US. There are currently 500.000 domains on these servers and they are under surveillance 24/7.

Can I use our own DNS?

You have this option when making the order. Please make sure to make the servers authoritative when selecting your own DNS. Please be aware that a later DNS change for a country code has a cost.

Do we need to change from your DNS when using an external hosting solution?

You do NOT need to change DNS (if you use ours) when dealing with an external email or web hosting provider. Many hosting providers tell their customers to make a DNS change, but that is NOT necessary!

Please request from your Hosting provider, which settings are required for your domain in order to activate your hosting. It is typical to create a CNAME or A-record in the DNS administration in your client account. (E.g. www.domain.xx => a record => 123.456.78.9 or www.domain.xx => cname => hosting.provider.xx). To set up email just create an MX record (Mail exchanger) for mail.domain.xx to the Host name of the mail server.

All domain settings with European Domain Centre are free.

How can I change the DNS?

Go to the section DNS update. Here you can submit the domain and the new DNS. You will then receive an invoice and upon payment we will initiate the change. For generic domains (com,net,org,info,name) there is no charge.

Why do I have to pay for a DNS update?

A DNS update for generic domains are free as the process is automatic. However, when changing the DNS for country code domains the hostmaster has to change it manually. Therefore we take a fee for this service.

Owner change

How do I change owner details for a domain?

Go to the Registrant update section. You can submit the domain and the new contact details here. You will then receive an email with the invoice and documentation enclosed. We will initiate the process ss soon as the invoice has been paid. To make the process even quicker you can also download the necessary documentation in the section and send it to us by email or fax.

Why do I have to pay for a registrant update?

There is a manual processing from our side and the hostmasters charge us for this service.

Pricing

Are there any hidden costs?

No, we keep it simple. The price is the annual cost for a domain, which includes free DNS, local presence (if required) and access to the administration system.

Do I have to pay extra for Local Presence?

Local presence is generally included in the price. For .IS (Iceland) and .CL (Chile) an extra fee is added.

Why do prices vary for the different top level domains?

Each country´s appointed hostmaster (normally a public entity) decides the registration fee for the country code domain, which in general varies from country to country. Our price is based on this cost and the level of manual handling of the specific TLD.

Will prices change over time?

Due to more efficient processing the hostmasters tend to reduce cost prices over time. We follow these cost cuts and since setting up in 2003 almost all prices have been reduced.

What is the cost for a transfer, a DNS update or registrant update?

Please check Price list http://www.europeandomaincentre.com/pricelist for an overall view

Who pays VAT?

There is a 16% VAT for registrants from Spain. All other registrants are exempt from VAT.

Payment methods

Is payment by credit card secure?

Payment by credit card is secure. European Domain Centre uses encrypted sessions when handling your credit card and you are insured by the credit card companies against misuse.

Which credit cards are accepted?

We accept Visa, Master Card and Eurocard.

Is it possible to pay by methods other than credit card?

You can select to pay by Wire transfer. After making the order you will receive an invoice. Upon confirmation of payment then we will initiate the order.

Client support

When is Live chat open?

Opening hours are 09-17 CET from Monday to Friday.

How quick do you answer emails?

We tend to answer as quickly as possible. If you send an email after 17 CET you should receive an answer before 12 CET the next day. We can offer support in English, Spanish, French and Danish

Client login

How do I log into my account?

Use the link log in and insert your user name and password. Your user name is the email you use for your account. Please be aware that the user name and password are case sensitive.

How do I recover my password?

If you have forgotten your password then simply go to the Log in page. There is a link from where you can receive a new password.

DNS administration

How do I make a web forward or alias?

Please make sure that your domain is on our servers. In your account go to the DNS administration link. You will see the complete list of domains in "All". Select Wizard to change web forward or redirection. For a complete sub domain administration insert * as hostname, insert the complete URL to where the domain should be directed in the box below and select Web forwarding. Press Submit. Afterwards insert www as hostname, select web alias and press submit.

How do I setup a mail forward?

Please make sure that your domain is on our servers. In your account go to the DNS administration link. You will see the complete list of domains in "All". Select Wizard. On the menu to the left choose New mailforward. Insert either a name for a specific email or * in order to receive all emails sent to your domain. Insert the email below to where emails should be forwarded and press submit.

How do I setup an MX-record?

Please make sure that your domain is on our servers. In your account go to the DNS administration link. You will see the complete list of domains in "All". Select Advanced for the given domain. You can edit the MX record by pressing the + in the line Mail Exhanger.

How do I create a CNAME?

Please make sure that your domain is on our servers. In your account go to the DNS administration link. You will see the complete list of domains in "All". Select Wizard to set up the CNAME.

What do I have to do to use my domain to send and receive emails?

Please make sure that your domain is on our servers. In your account go to the link DNS administration. You will see the complete list of domains in "All". Select Wizard. On the menu to the left choose New mailforward. Insert * in order to receive all emails sent to your domain. Insert the email below to where emails should be forwarded and press submit.

Cybersquatting

What is cybersquatting?

Cybersquatting is registering, trafficking in, or using a domain name in bad-faith and with intent to profit from the goodwill of a trademark belonging to someone else. The cybersquatter then offers to sell the domain to the person or company who owns a trademark contained within the name at an inflated price.Someone has registered our domain.

What do I do If the current registrant has a right to the domain?

Then it is not possible to claim it. However, if the domain has been cybersquatted then you can claim the domain if you have a prior right to it.

.ASIA

What is .ASIA?

.ASIA is the new domain for the Asian zone consisting of 73 countries. It is a generic domain equivalent to .EU for the European Union.
Long term it is expected to be the reference domain for Asia.

Who can register .ASIA in the Sunrise period (for prior rights)?

The Landrush will start on the 20th of February and close on the 12th of March. Domain names receiving more than one request will be auctioned between the applicants. A 2 year registration has an annual cost of Eur 50,-. If your application is not registered, then the amount will be credited your account. There is no queue fee.

Which are the dates for the Landrush period?

22.01.08: Landrush applications are accepted.
20.02.08: Landrush starts
12.03.08: Landrush ends
Applicants will hereafter receive either a confirmation of the registration or an email from the .ASIA hostmaster regarding the auction (if several requests for same domain).

What is the cost and is documentation required?

The cost is Eur 100,- for a 2 year registration. If your application is not registered, then the amount will be credited your account. There is no queue fee. No documentation is required. Local presence will be provided for registrants outside Asia.

What happens if there is more than one valid applicant?

Domain names receiving more than one request will be auctioned between the applicants. You will receive an email from the .ASIA hostmaster with further instructions.

What happens if the domain is not obtained?

Then we will credit the 2 year registration fee of Eur 100 to your account.