Overview
When a .eth name expires, it enters a 90 day Grace Period where it can still have it's registration extended at the standard price and the current owner keeping it. If the name is not extended within the 90 days, the name is released, and becomes available for anyone to register. The name then enters a premium pricing period that lasts 21 days. During this period, the following occurs:
A Temporary Premium fee is applied to re-register the name. This premium starts high at $100m and gradually reduces to $0 over time if no one re-registers the name during this period.
Smart contracts control this pricing automatically—no exceptions or overrides exist.
See Name Lifecycle.
If a name was released and you want to register it again
To re-reregister an name in temporary premium:
Monitor the Premium Fee: Be patient and watch as the Temporary Premium decreases over time to a price you find comfortable.
Act Quickly: During the Temporary Premium period, your expired name is open to registration by anyone. There's a risk that someone else might register it before you do.
Register Anew: Once the premium reaches an acceptable amount, complete the registration process like you would for a new name. See How to register a .eth name
Recomendations to nameowners
To avoid dealing with Temporary Premium fees altogether, extend your .eth name well i advance. The 90 day Grace Period is not active registration, and a buffer that still needs to be paid back if you later extend registration. See How to Extend your .eth Registration