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What does a domain cost?

A domain costs an annual fee at the provider where it is registered. With website builders it is often free in the first year and charged extra afterwards, and for .de domains the final price is not set by DENIC but by the provider you hold it with.

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Last updated: 23 October 2026 · By Maurice, freeehouse team · About 3 minutes to read

Who sells domains?

For .de domains, DENIC is the central registry. It generally assigns domains through its members, providers such as IONOS, STRATO and many others. These providers set their own prices. That is why the same domain costs different amounts depending on the provider. DENIC also offers direct registration through DENICdirect.

Why is the domain free in the first year?

Many website builders and hosts include the domain free in the first year. According to Wix's pricing page this applies for one year, according to Jimdo for the first contract term, and according to IONOS's plan page also for one year. After that it costs extra. This is legal and stated on the pricing pages, but often overlooked.

What does a domain cost after the first year?

You can see it in your customer account at renewal. Check three things there: the annual price, the renewal date and whether automatic renewal is switched on. Endings like .de are usually cheaper than special ones like .shop or .online. At freeehouse, a domain costs €12 a year if you expressly want to move it to us. It isn't necessary; it can stay where it is.

Who owns my domain?

Whoever is registered as the holder. For a .de domain, that is the domain holder at DENIC. Make sure you are the one registered, not your web designer or a former agency. Otherwise your address depends on someone else. You can sort this out through your provider.

What happens if my domain expires?

If you cancel a domain or don't renew it, it is released after a grace period. After that anyone can register it. Your email addresses are lost along with the domain. According to the DENIC domain guidelines, deleted .de domains go through a phase in which the previous holder can still restore them. You shouldn't rely on that.

Especially dangerous: with some providers the domain is tied to a package. According to STRATO, cancelling a whole package also cancels the domains included in it. More on this at Cancelling STRATO.

How do I save on the domain?

  • Check whether you are paying for domains you no longer use at all.
  • Don't leave the domain in an expensive package if you only need the domain. A plain domain plan is often cheaper.
  • When moving, the transfer itself usually costs little or nothing. But only plan it if you take the email records along cleanly.

At freeehouse your domain stays where it is today. We only change one record so that it points to your new website. We don't charge for building the website. How freeehouse works

How do I find out who manages my domain?

For .de domains, a lookup at DENIC shows whether a domain is registered. Who the holder is is not shown publicly, for data protection reasons. The easiest way to find the provider is through your invoices or bank statement. If you can't find an invoice, ask your former web designer or check the domain's nameservers, which often reveal the provider.

Frequently asked questions

What does a .de domain cost per year?

Each provider sets that itself. You can see your domain's price in your customer account at renewal.

Can I buy a domain?

Domains are not bought but registered and renewed every year. As long as you pay, the right to use it is yours.

Why is the domain more expensive in the second year?

Because in the first year it was a bonus included in the package. From the second year the provider charges the regular price.

What happens to my emails when the domain expires?

They stop arriving. Email addresses depend on the domain. So never let a domain expire as long as you need the addresses.

Sources

Providers' prices and terms change often. What counts is what's in your customer account and your contract. Not legal advice.

Read more

Move a domain with AuthInfoWhat is hosting and what does it cost?Email mailbox on your own domain: costs and optionsKeep your domain and email when you switch websites
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