.de vs .com vs .eu: which one for what?
.de fits customers in Germany, .eu a European audience, .com a global presence. The rules come from DENIC and EU Regulation 2019/517; prices are live from our catalog.
What this comparison covers
.de fits customers in Germany, .eu a European audience, .com a global presence. The rules come from DENIC and EU Regulation 2019/517; prices are live from our catalog.
Registry rules checked on 2026-10-15 against the sources below. Prices are live EUR catalog prices, excluding VAT.
Who this is for
Customers and business in Germany: .de; add .com to protect the name.
Key takeaways
• Customers and business in Germany: .de; add .com to protect the name.
• EU-wide offer or an EU-established company without a German focus: .eu; add .de if Germany is the main market.
• International brand with no country link: .com.
Side-by-side comparison
| Criterion | .de | .com | .eu |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is for | Germany’s country-code domain, operated by DENIC. | Global generic domain, not tied to a country registry. Fits when you sell outside one country or want one name for every market. | EU-wide domain managed by EURid; shows a link to the European Union. |
| Who can register | Anyone with legal capacity, including holders outside Germany (no local presence required since 2018). | Anyone worldwide. | EU citizens (wherever they live), non-EU citizens resident in a member state, and undertakings or organisations established in the EU (Regulation 2019/517). |
| Documents / verification | Holder data (full name, postal address, phone, e-mail) must be accurate. DENIC checks it under NIS 2 and may ask your provider to verify; unverified domains can be removed from the zone. Holders outside Germany may need to name a German contact for legal service. | No country-specific eligibility or document rules; standard registrant contact data applies. | Eligibility is a condition of registration and must be kept. Check EURid for EEA rules (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway). |
| Registration, 1 year | €8.99 | €8.99 | €7.99 |
| Renewal, 1 year | €8.99 | €10.99 | €7.99 |
Which one should you choose?
• Customers and business in Germany: .de; add .com to protect the name.
• EU-wide offer or an EU-established company without a German focus: .eu; add .de if Germany is the main market.
• International brand with no country link: .com.
Registry rules checked on 2026-10-15 against the sources below. Prices are live EUR catalog prices, excluding VAT.
**Sources:**
DENIC - holder data verification
DENIC - general information (NIS 2)
Regulation (EU) 2019/517 (.eu eligibility)
Next steps
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Do I need a German address for .de?
- No. Local presence has not been required since 2018. DENIC does require accurate holder data and may require a German contact for legal service if the holder is not domiciled in Germany.
- Who can register a .eu domain?
- EU citizens wherever they live, non-EU citizens resident in a member state, and undertakings or organisations established in the EU (Regulation 2019/517).
- .de, .com or .eu: which is better?
- It depends on the target market: .de for Germany, .eu for a European link, .com for global reach. Many people register several to protect the name.