Is it OK to continue hosting my Website and/or Domain in the UK after Brexit?
Why Hosting Location Matters Post-Brexit
Before Brexit, UK-based web hosting and domain registration was common for Irish businesses. Some by choice but for others, the ‘Irish’ hosting company you are using may actually be using a data centre in the UK.
Now that the UK is no longer part of the EU, data protection laws and cross-border data transfers have changed. Irish businesses need to think carefully about whether hosting in the UK is still the best option.
How Brexit has changed data transfers
Under EU law, the GDPR restricts data transfers to countries outside the EU/EEA unless there are specific safeguards in place. After Brexit, the UK became a “third country’. However, the European Commission granted the UK an “adequacy decision” – meaning the UK’s data protection standards are considered strong enough for now.
That said, this adequacy decision is not permanent. It’s reviewed every four years and could be withdrawn if the UK’s laws diverge too far from the EU’s.
Risks of hosting in the UK for Irish businesses
- Regulatory uncertainty: The adequacy decision could change, which might disrupt your data transfers.
- Compliance concerns: Hosting in the UK still requires you to manage GDPR responsibilities.
- Customer perception: Some clients may prefer knowing their data is hosted within the EU.
What to ask your hosting provider
- Where are your servers located?
- Do you offer EU-based hosting options?
- How do you manage GDPR compliance?
- Do you provide support for Irish businesses?
When hosting in the EU is better
- You want to minimise legal risk and future-proof your setup
- You handle sensitive customer data
- You serve mostly EU-based clients
Choosing an EU-based hosting provider (e.g. in Ireland, Germany, or the Netherlands) can make data protection simpler and provide more peace of mind.
Alternatives and local options
Many Irish businesses are now choosing:
- Irish-based hosting for faster local support
- EU-based data centres with strong GDPR policies
- Multi-region hosting with backup across several EU countries
Designit’s Approach to Hosting and Compliance
At Designit, we work with hosting partners who offer Irish-based servers and GDPR-compliant infrastructure.
This means our clients benefit from:
- Reliable, secure hosting and domain registration based in Ireland
- Full transparency on where data is stored
- Hosting that supports Irish business needs and legal frameworks
Hosting Is More Than a Technical Detail
Your website hosting affects performance, reliability, security – and now, legal compliance. Making the right hosting choice helps protect your business from unnecessary risk and ensures customer trust.
Do you need help protecting your website or domain?
If you’re unsure about where your website and domain are hosted post-Brexit, we can help. Let’s make sure your online presence is fast, secure, and future-ready.
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