For .de domains: after deletion a 30-day Redemption Grace Period (RGP) begins. During this period, according to DENIC, only the former holder — or a third party named by them — can re-register the domain. Only after the 30 days does it become free for everyone. Backorders (public release) and ReCatch (last RGP day) both target this.
Registry & basic rules
| Registry | DENIC eG (Frankfurt am Main) |
|---|---|
| Extension | .de (ccTLD Germany) |
| Who can register | Natural & legal persons; no German residence required, though an administrative contact in Germany may be needed |
| Redemption Grace Period | 30 days after deletion |
| Re-release | After 30 days without re-registration, to any interested party |
| Fixed drop time | Not defined as a fixed clock time by DENIC |
The deletion cycle step by step
- Active: the domain is registered and connected.
- Deletion: the holder requests deletion via their provider.
- Redemption Grace Period (30 days): per DENIC the domain can now be re-registered "only for the last domain holder or for a third party named by them". DENIC sends the AuthInfo to the last holder by registered mail. Third parties cannot register it in this phase.
- Re-release: after 30 days without re-registration the domain becomes "available for registration by any interested party".
Exceptions per DENIC: the holder can waive the RGP in writing; with a DISPUTE entry the RGP does not apply and the dispute holder automatically becomes the domain holder.
How to catch a .de domain
- Backorder: an order on the public re-release after the RGP. Not a purchase guarantee — with several interested parties, timing decides.
- ReCatch (.de only): if the former owner released the domain (e.g. via ReDomain), it can be taken over on the last RGP day before the public drop — first-come first-served, without an auction. This matches the DENIC rule of the "third party named by the last holder".
DomainCatcher.com and .de
Because DomainCatcher.com specialises in .de, the process is well illustrated here. The service combines classic .de backorders with RGP lists (visibility depends on tier level), the ReCatch process (25 € net; former-owner share 15 €), a free list of already-deleted, re-registrable domains, plus domain management, the Domex marketplace (fixed prices 9–99 €), the Open Domain Market (ab 100 €), ReDomain for monetisation, parking and an api3 interface. Fixed prices apply, not auctions. All prices: as of 2026-08-12, subject to change; the figures on DomainCatcher.com are authoritative. In detail on the project page.
Specifics & risks
- A free .de name is not automatically free of trademark/name rights.
- The former holder can recover the domain within the RGP.
- No guaranteed second-by-second drop — plan around the 30-day period.
On to other extensions
Compare the .de cycle with others in the TLD guides — e.g. .at or .eu. Basics: Redemption Grace Period, auth code, domain catching.
Frequently asked questions
Can I simply register a .de domain during the RGP?
No. During the 30-day Redemption Grace Period, according to DENIC, only the last holder or a third party named by them can re-register it. For everyone else it is free only after the period ends.
Is there an exact drop time for .de?
DENIC does not state a fixed clock-time drop. After 30 days without re-registration the domain becomes available to any interested party.
What is the difference between backorder and ReCatch for .de?
A backorder targets the public re-release after the RGP. ReCatch takes over a domain released by its former owner already on the last RGP day, first-come first-served and without an auction.
Sources
- DENIC – Redemption Grace Period (.de) — accessed 2026-08-12
- DENIC – Deleting a .de Domain — accessed 2026-08-12
- DomainCatcher.com — accessed 2026-08-12