No, it is not possible to purchase a domain name permanently or for life. Although the term ‘domain purchase’ is commonly used, registration actually grants you a right of use for a specified period, which you must renew in due course. The person who registers the domain is the domain holder, not the domain owner.

Why can’t I buy it for life?

The domain name system is based on a leasing model. Each extension is managed by a registry, and you obtain the right to use the name for a specific period through a registrar, in accordance with the registry’s rules. There are several reasons for this:

• Maintenance costs: registries operate name servers, databases and security systems; these costs are covered by the annual fees.
• Up-to-date data: during renewal, the domain holder must re-register the domain each time, meaning there are fewer names in the registry containing abandoned or out-of-date details.
• The domain name cycle: domains that do not undergo renewal become available over time, and others can register them. With permanent registration, the names would be permanently exhausted.

What is the maximum number of years for which a domain can be registered in advance?

For most extensions, the registration period ranges from one to ten years; this also applies to the .hu domain. For generic top-level domains (.com, .net, .org and others), ICANN regulations stipulate that the remaining registration period for a domain cannot exceed ten years, so even during renewal, it can only be renewed for a maximum of ten years. A multi-year subscription is convenient, but it does not confer ownership: at the end of the term, the domain must still be subject to renewal.

What do ‘lifetime domain’ offers mean?

If a provider offers a domain ‘for life’, this simply means that they will handle the renewals; the domain is still renewed year on year at the registry. If the provider ceases trading or changes its terms and conditions, the domain may expire. Check that your name is listed as the domain holder and that you can transfer the domain to another registrar at any time.

What happens if you don’t complete the renewal?

A domain is not deleted immediately upon expiry: for most domain extensions, there is a grace period and a redemption period, during which you can still reclaim it, but your website and email service may already have been suspended. Details of these periods are set out in the article ‘What happens when my domain name expires?’. Once these periods have elapsed, the domain becomes available and can be registered by anyone.

How can you retain your domain in the long term?

• Enable automatic renewal and keep your payment details up to date.
• Pay in advance for several years for the domains on which your business is built.
• Please keep your domain details up to date, particularly your email address: expiry notifications and confirmation emails are sent to this address. If possible, do not provide an email address associated with the domain that is due to expire, as if the domain is deactivated, you will not receive the notification.
• Use domain locking to prevent the domain from being transferred to another registrar without your knowledge.

You can start the process of registering or renewing a domain on the domain registration page.