Shortening the duration of SSL certificates to 200 days (just under 6 months)
The CA/Browser Forum has decided on new regulations for SSL certificates. Therefore, with immediate effect, only SSL certificates with a term of 200 days (just under 6 months, previously 12 months) can be ordered or issued in our classic web hosting.
This does not affect customers in our cloud hosting, as long as they use the free Let's Encrypt certificates, which are automatically renewed within their term of 3 months.
New terms for SSL certificates from March 2026
What applies from March 2, 2026?
The CA/Browser Forum has adopted updated specifications for the issuance of SSL certificates. A central adjustment will officially take effect on March 15, 2026. In order to make the transition as smooth as possible, we will only issue SSL certificates with a validity period of just under six months from March 2, 2026.
Which deadlines are changing?
The following changes will come into force from March 2026:
- The maximum permitted duration of a certificate will be reduced from the previous 398 days to 200 days.
- The maximum duration for the reuse of a domain validation will also be reduced from 398 to 200 days.
- The validity of the validation of company data for OV and EV certificates will be reduced from 825 days to 398 days.
Why are the validity periods being shortened?
Increased security:
The information contained in certificates becomes less up-to-date over time. Shorter terms ensure that this data is checked and confirmed more frequently.
Limitation of risks:
As revocation systems do not always work reliably, shorter validity periods reduce the risk of compromised or revoked certificates remaining in circulation for too long.
What does this mean for you?
From March 2026, your SSL certificates will need to be renewed every six months. Of course, we will continue to inform you by e-mail in good time before a certificate expires.
SSL certificates that were issued before March 2, 2026 with a term of twelve months will retain their original validity and will not be affected by the changeover.
Will the shorter term result in higher costs?
No. The total amount will be charged as usual for the respective term - in future six months.
