What Are the .fr Domain Registration Requirements?

.fr registration requirements

A .fr registrant must be based in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland

AFNIC operates .fr and applies a European presence requirement throughout the registration. Eligible individuals must reside in a qualifying country. Eligible organisations need a registered office or principal place of business there. A UK address alone no longer qualifies after Brexit.

REGISTRYAFNICFrench country-code domain
ELIGIBILITYEuropean presence requiredEU plus four countries
VALIDATIONEvidence may be requestedKeep details accurate

Who can register a .fr domain?

Individuals

A person resident in an EU member state, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland can qualify.

Businesses and organisations

The registered office or principal place of business must be in one of the qualifying countries.

UK-only applicants

A person or entity based only in the United Kingdom is outside AFNIC’s listed post-Brexit area.

Ongoing eligibility

The requirement applies throughout the life of the domain, not only on registration day.

What information can AFNIC verify?

  1. 1
    Holder identity

    Use the real person or legal entity that will hold the domain.

  2. 2
    Qualifying address

    Provide a current residential or organisational address in the eligible area.

  3. 3
    Reachable contacts

    Keep email, telephone and administrative details accurate.

  4. 4
    Supporting evidence

    Be ready to provide identity, address or company documents if AFNIC asks.

What should you check before registering?

Name rights

Check trademarks, company names and protected terms. Availability is not legal clearance.

Exact spelling

Confirm the name and any internationalised form before payment.

Registration and renewal

Review the term, live price, renewal amount and applicable VAT.

Long-term presence

Plan for any future move or change to the qualifying organisation.

Are .fr registrant details public?

AFNIC collects holder information and applies its publication rules. Personal data can be withheld from normal public display, but accurate data remains required and can be checked or disclosed under policy and law. Privacy does not remove eligibility obligations.

Check AFNIC’s current registration FAQ before ordering.

.fr questions

Can a UK resident register .fr?

A UK address alone does not qualify. The applicant needs qualifying residence or organisational presence in the listed European area.

Must I be French?

No. Eligibility is based on location, not French nationality.

Can AFNIC request documents?

Yes. It can run a holder substantiation process through the registrar.

Can I use a proxy address?

Do not use false or borrowed data. The actual holder must meet the requirements.

Eligible for .fr?

Register the name to the true qualifying holder

Keep the European address and contact information accurate throughout registration.

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What Are the .fr Domain Registration Requirements? written by UKC average rating 5/5 - 1 user ratings