This is my understanding at least. I usually send people this diagram from ICANN when they have questions about domains renewing/expiring: http://archive.ican

This is my understanding at least. I usually send people this diagram from ICANN when they have questions about domains renewing/expiring: http://archive.icann.org/en/registrars/gtld-lifecycle.jpg http://archive.icann.org/en/registrars/gtld-lifecycle.jpg I guess I don't know if the rules can be different for certain ccTLDs, but generally you have up to 30 days after expiration to renew with no penalty. And then you have another 30 days where the domain is in "redemption" status and can be redeemed/renewed by the original owner (usually for by paying a redemption fee on top of the regular renewal fee.)