Securing Europe’s Digital Space with DNS4EU

The European Union has launched DNS4EU, a secure and privacy-compliant DNS resolver aimed at strengthening the continent’s digital infrastructure. As reliance on online services grows, DNS4EU plays a key role in protecting Europe’s digital space, offering a safer and more resilient internet experience for citizens and public institutions.

What Is DNS4EU?

DNS4EU (Domain Name System for the EU) is a European Commission–funded initiative to create a regional, GDPR-compliant DNS resolver. It allows users across Europe to securely access the internet while blocking malicious domains and preserving privacy. It also reduces dependence on external services like Google Public DNS or Cloudflare by hosting services entirely within the EU.

There are two main services:

• DNS4EU Public – Free for general users with filters for malware, phishing, and inappropriate content.

• DNS4GOV – Tailored for public sector entities and critical infrastructure operators, with enhanced support and advanced security tools.

Why DNS Matters for Digital Sovereignty

A DNS resolver translates domain names into IP addresses. Most Europeans currently use US-based resolvers, which may store data outside the EU. DNS4EU helps reclaim digital sovereignty by ensuring that all DNS queries are processed within Europe under strict privacy regulations.

This shift is especially important as governments and institutions expand online services. Securing the digital infrastructure that underpins these services is a growing strategic priority.

Key Features

• Data privacy – Fully GDPR-compliant, ensuring no personal user data is stored or monetized.

• Threat blocking – Real-time detection of phishing, ransomware, and malware domains.

• Public sector integration – Governments can quickly deploy DNS4EU without extra hardware.

• Cross-border security – Built on a threat intelligence mesh shared across EU national CERTs.

Why It Matters

The EU’s digital space is expanding rapidly, but so are the threats targeting it. From critical government systems to citizens browsing online, DNS4EU offers essential protection where it’s needed most. By keeping DNS resolution within Europe, it fortifies core layers of the internet and advances the EU’s broader vision for secure, sovereign digital infrastructure.