Understanding the lifecycle of a domain name is crucial to ensuring you never permanently lose your website's address. Here is the exact timeline of what happens when a domain expires.
1. Active Status
Your domain is active and functioning normally. We will send you multiple email reminders starting 30 days before the expiration date.
2. Expiration Date (Day 0)
If the domain is not renewed by this date, it immediately stops working. Your website will go offline, and your professional emails will stop functioning.
3. The Grace Period (Days 1 - 30)
Most common extensions (.com, .net, .org) enter a 30-day "Grace Period" after expiration. During this time, the domain is suspended, but you can still renew it at the normal, standard price without any penalties. You still own the domain.
4. The Redemption Grace Period (Days 31 - 60)
If you fail to renew within the first 30 days, the domain drops into "Redemption." During this phase:
- You still have the right to claim the domain back.
- However, the central registry imposes a hefty Redemption Fee (often €60 to €250+ depending on the extension), in addition to the normal renewal price.
5. Pending Delete (Days 61 - 65)
The domain cannot be renewed, recovered, or purchased by anyone. It is locked while the registry prepares to release it back to the public.
6. Released / Available
The domain is released to the public market. Anyone, including competitors or domain squatters, can register it on a first-come, first-served basis.
