Managing .eu Domains with Squarespace
TL;DR:
- .eu domains are only for EU citizens and businesses – you need an EU address to register one
- These domains can't be locked, so you need to be extra careful with security
- No 5-day grace period for cancellations and no refunds on .eu registrations
- If your domain expires, you get 40 days to renew through Tucows (with extra fees)
- Your email and organisation name show up publicly on the eurid.eu database
- Whois privacy is available to hide your personal details
Address Requirements
To register a .eu domain through Squarespace, you must provide an EU country address during registration. These domains are strictly reserved for EU citizens and businesses, so you can't register one if you're based outside the European Union.
Domain Locking and Security
Here's something that catches people off guard – .eu domains cannot be locked. This is different from most other domain types where you can add domain locking as an extra security layer. Without this protection, you need to be more careful about your account security and login details.
What Happens When Your Domain Expires
Squarespace won't automatically renew your .eu domain if it expires. You get a 40-day window to contact the registrar (Tucows) directly to request renewal, but expect to pay additional fees on top of the standard renewal cost.
This is stricter than most domains, so set yourself a reminder well before your expiry date.
No Grace Period for New Registrations
Most domains give you a 5-day grace period to cancel and get a refund if you make a mistake. Not with .eu domains. Once you complete the registration, that's it – no cancellations and no refunds.
Double-check your spelling before hitting that register button. A typo in your domain name will cost you the full registration fee to fix.
Transferring Your .eu Domain to Squarespace
When you transfer an existing .eu domain to Squarespace, you're buying a one-year extension. The time remaining on your current registration carries over, then adds another full year on top.
So if you have 8 months left on your current registration and transfer to Squarespace, you'll end up with 1 year and 8 months total.
Privacy and Public Records
Your email address and organisation name go into the public eurid.eu database when you register a .eu domain. Anyone can look this up.
Squarespace does offer Whois privacy for .eu domains, which hides your personal information from public view. Given that your details are automatically made public, this privacy protection is worth considering.
FAQs
Can I lock my .eu domain on Squarespace?
No, .eu domains cannot be locked. This is a specific rule for .eu domains that applies across all registrars.
Is Whois privacy available for .eu domains?
Yes, Squarespace provides Whois privacy for .eu domains to protect your personal information from public view.
What happens if my .eu domain expires?
You have 40 days to renew through Tucows (the registrar), but you'll pay additional fees. Squarespace doesn't auto-renew expired .eu domains.
Can I get a refund if I make a mistake registering my .eu domain?
No, there's no grace period for .eu domains. Once registered, you can't cancel or get a refund.
Jargon Buster
ccTLD – Country Code Top-Level Domain, specific to a country or region (like .eu for the European Union)
TLD – Top-Level Domain, the bit at the end of a domain name like .com or .eu
Whois – A public database showing who owns a domain name and their contact details
Domain Locking – A security feature that prevents unauthorised transfers of your domain
Wrap-up
Managing .eu domains comes with stricter rules than most other domain types. The lack of domain locking, no grace period for cancellations, and specific expiry procedures mean you need to be more careful with these domains.
If you're eligible for a .eu domain and it makes sense for your business, just remember to double-check everything before registering and keep track of your renewal dates.
Need more help with domain management? Check out our full domain guides at https://www.pixelhaze.academy/membership