Retrieving expired domain: how to save your domain name

Your domain expired and someone else registered it - a nightmare for any website owner. Or maybe you're just in time and can still save it. In this article, we explain what happens when a domain expires and how you can get it back.

What happens when a domain expires?

If you miss the renewal date, your domain goes through several phases:

Phase 1: Grace period (0-30 days)

Immediately after expiration, you get a grace period. During this period:

Your website and email stop working
You can usually still renew at the normal price
The domain is not yet released

Action: Renew as soon as possible to avoid extra costs.

Phase 2: Redemption period (30-60 days)

Once grace period passes, the domain enters "redemption". This means:

The domain has officially expired
You can still get it back, but at higher costs
Typically €50-150 extra on top of normal renewal

Action: Contact your registrar immediately.

Phase 3: Pending delete (5-7 days)

After redemption, the domain is marked for deletion:

You can no longer retrieve the domain
It's waiting for release
After this period it becomes free for anyone to register

Phase 4: Release

The domain is now free. Anyone can register it - valuable domains are often immediately picked up by domain speculators.

Timeline per TLD

TLD	Grace period	Redemption	Total
.nl	40 days	40 days	80 days
.com	30 days	30 days	60 days
.be	40 days	40 days	80 days
.eu	40 days	40 days	80 days

Note: Exact periods may vary by registrar.

Steps to retrieve an expired domain

Step 1: Determine the phase

Active (expired): Grace period - act fast
Redemption: Higher costs, still possible
Pending delete: Too late for current owner

Step 2: Contact the registrar

Call or email your registrar. Explain the situation and ask about options:

What are the costs for renewal/redemption?
How quickly can this be arranged?
What payment methods are available?

Step 3: Pay the costs

Costs depend on the phase:

Phase	Typical costs
Grace period	Normal renewal price
Redemption	€50-150 + renewal
After release	Not applicable

Step 4: Verify the renewal

After payment:

Check if expiration date is updated
Test if your website works again
Check if email functions
Set up automatic renewal

What if someone else has the domain?

If your domain was registered by someone else after release, you have limited options:

Make contact

Find the new owner via WHOIS and approach them. Sometimes people are willing to sell for a reasonable price.

Legal steps

If the domain contains your trademark, you can start a UDRP procedure (Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy). This is especially effective for clear trademark infringement.

Wait

Set an alert via services like DomainTools. If the new owner doesn't renew, you get a second chance.

Alternative domain

Sometimes accepting loss and choosing a new domain is the most practical option.

How to prevent your domain from expiring?

1. Automatic renewal

The most important prevention. Set up automatic renewal with your registrar. Your credit card or direct debit is charged before expiration.

2. Multiple contact addresses

Ensure your registrar has multiple email addresses:

Your primary email
A backup email
Possibly a business address

3. Calendar reminders

Set reminders in your calendar:

3 months before expiration
1 month before expiration
1 week before expiration

4. Register for multiple years

Less chance of forgetting. Also often cheaper per year.

5. Central registrar

Manage all your domains with one registrar. Easier overview, less chance of missed renewals.

Frequently asked questions

Can I retrieve a domain someone else registered? Only if it contains your trademark or if the new owner wants to sell. Without legal grounds you have few options.

How much does redemption cost exactly? This varies by registrar and TLD, but expect €50-150 on top of normal renewal.

Does my website still work during grace period? Usually not. Some registrars park the domain, others take it offline immediately.

Can I cancel if I no longer want the domain? Yes, just let it expire. After the delete phase it's free again.

Also read our domain transfer guide if you want to move to a more reliable registrar.