For .fr domains: expiry or deletion is followed by a 30-day Redemption Grace Period. During this time, according to AFNIC, no registration by another holder is accepted; the former holder can cancel the deletion. After that the domain moves to "deletion in progress" and becomes publicly available.
Registry & basic rules
| Registry | AFNIC |
|---|---|
| Extension | .fr (ccTLD France) |
| Who can register | Natural and legal persons with an EU/EEA nexus (AFNIC eligibility criteria). |
| Local presence | EU/EEA nexus required (AFNIC eligibility criteria). |
| Redemption Grace Period | 30 days |
| Re-release | After 30 days: "deletion in progress" and then public availability. |
| Fixed drop time | AFNIC shows a definitive deletion timeline in WHOIS. |
Deletion cycle in detail
According to AFNIC, no third-party registration is accepted during these 30 days; the holder can cancel the deletion.
After 30 days: "deletion in progress" and then public availability.
Is drop-catching possible?
Generally possible after the 30-day period ends.
Backorder for .fr
A backorder targets the public availability after the redemption phase. Basics: What is a backorder? · Domain catching.
Transfer & auth code
Transfer via auth code. See Glossary: auth code.
Specifics & risks
- 30-day redemption with no third-party registration.
- AFNIC eligibility criteria (EU/EEA nexus).
- A free name is not automatically free of third-party trademark/name rights.
Difference from .de
Very close to .de: also a 30-day redemption favouring the former holder; additionally the AFNIC eligibility criteria. For comparison: .de deletion cycle.
Next
All TLD guides · Glossary: registry · Redemption Grace Period
Frequently asked questions
How long is the redemption for .fr?
According to AFNIC 30 days; during that time no third-party registration is possible.
Sources
- AFNIC – The essentials for managing your domain name — accessed 2026-08-12