To transfer a domain to Hostinger, you unlock it at your current registrar, grab the EPP authorization code, and start the transfer inside your Hostinger account. The whole process is a set of small, ordered steps, and it usually finishes in 4 to 7 days. I have moved several of my own domains to Hostinger, so this guide is the exact order I follow, plus the errors that trip people up.
Let me walk you through it start to finish.
Disclosure: the Hostinger links here are affiliate links. I only recommend services I have used myself.
Before You Start: The 60-Day Rule
Here is the first thing that catches people. ICANN, the body that governs domain names worldwide, blocks any transfer for 60 days after you first register a domain or after a previous transfer completes.
So if you just bought the domain, you wait. No workaround exists. Check your registration date before anything else.
The domain also has to be at least 60 days old with your current registrar for the request to even start. When I tested a transfer on a freshly registered domain, the system rejected it instantly and threw back this exact error.
What You Need Before The Transfer
Gather these four things before you touch anything.
- Login access to your current registrar, such as GoDaddy or Namecheap.
- The EPP code, also called the authorization or auth code.
- An unlocked domain, meaning the registrar lock is switched off.
- A valid admin email on the domain that you can actually open.
Miss any one of these four and the whole transfer quietly stalls somewhere in the pipeline, often without a clear error until days later. So I keep a short checklist pinned open every single time. It saves headaches.
How Do You Transfer A Domain To Hostinger Step By Step?
Here is the full process in order. Follow it top to bottom.
- Unlock the domain at your current registrar. Look for a “domain lock” or “transfer lock” setting and turn it off.
- Disable WHOIS privacy temporarily. Some registrars hide the admin email, which blocks the transfer approval.
- Request the EPP code from your current registrar. It usually arrives by email within minutes.
- Log in to Hostinger and go to the Domains section, then choose Transfer Domain.
- Enter your domain name and paste the EPP code when Hostinger asks for it.
- Pay the transfer fee, which typically adds one year to your registration. For most domains this is a small annual cost.
- Approve the transfer email sent to your admin address. Click the confirmation link.
- Wait 4 to 7 days for the transfer to complete. You do not need to do anything else.
That is it. When I moved my last domain, the whole thing wrapped up in about 5 days.
Domain Transfer Timeline At A Glance
| Step | Who does it | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| Unlock and disable privacy | You | 5 minutes |
| Get EPP code | Registrar emails it | Minutes to 1 hour |
| Start transfer on Hostinger | You | 10 minutes |
| Pay and confirm | You | 5 minutes |
| Approve email | You | 5 minutes |
| Registrar release | Old registrar | Up to 5 days |
| Transfer completes | Automatic | 4 to 7 days total |
Why Would You Transfer To Hostinger Anyway?
Good question, since your domain works fine where it is.
The main reason is having everything under one roof. When your domain and your hosting sit behind a single login, DNS edits take seconds, billing is one invoice, and a support chat covers both at once. I moved my domains over mostly to stop juggling three separate dashboards.
Cost helps too. Hostinger domain renewals stay competitive, and free WHOIS privacy comes bundled on most extensions. That privacy alone can save you the $10 to $15 per year that GoDaddy quietly charges for the same protection.
If you are still setting up hosting, my free domain with Hostinger guide shows how new plans include a domain for year one. And once your domain lands, my free SSL on Hostinger guide covers securing it in a few clicks.
Common Transfer Errors And How To Fix Them
Most failed transfers trace back to a handful of avoidable mistakes, and over the years I have personally tripped over every single one of them at least once. Here they are.
- “Domain is locked” – go back to your registrar and switch off the transfer lock, then retry.
- “Invalid authorization code” – request a fresh EPP code, since old ones expire, and copy it with no extra spaces.
- “Admin email not reachable” – disable WHOIS privacy so the approval email can reach you.
- “Domain too new” – you are inside the 60-day ICANN window and must wait it out.
- Transfer stuck pending – check your admin inbox for the approval link. It expires, so confirm quickly.
You can start your move from the Hostinger domains dashboard once your plan is active. This guide was last updated in July 2026, and registrar interfaces change, so the exact button names may differ slightly. For the official policy, ICANN publishes its domain transfer rules here.
FAQ
How long does a domain transfer to Hostinger take?
Usually 4 to 7 days. Most of that time is your old registrar releasing the domain. You can speed it up slightly by approving the confirmation email quickly, but the ICANN release window still applies.
Does transferring a domain cause downtime?
No, if you do it right. Your website and email keep working during the transfer because DNS records carry over. Just avoid changing nameservers on the same day you start the transfer.
Is there a fee to transfer a domain to Hostinger?
Yes, a small one. The transfer fee usually adds one year to your registration, so you are essentially prepaying a renewal. For most common extensions this is only a few dollars.
Can I transfer a domain I just registered?
No. ICANN blocks transfers for 60 days after registration or a previous transfer. You have to wait out that window before the transfer will go through.
Do I lose my remaining registration time when I transfer?
No. The time left on your domain carries over, and the transfer typically adds a full year on top. So you do not waste any prepaid registration.
