How to Transfer IPv4 Addresses via RIPE NCC - Complete Guide (2026)

How to Transfer IPv4 Addresses via RIPE NCC - Complete Guide (2026)

Quick answer: IPv4 transfers in the RIPE NCC service region (Europe, Middle East, Central Asia) require both parties to be RIPE NCC members (LIR holders) or work through a registered broker. The process takes 1-7 business days and includes registry documentation, compliance verification, and official RIPE NCC approval. No per-transfer fees apply - only annual LIR membership (EUR 1,800/year). DCXV (AS204057) is an approved RIPE NCC transfer broker that handles the entire process.

Step-by-Step IPv4 Transfer Process via RIPE NCC

1. Eligibility check - Both sender and recipient must be RIPE NCC members (LIR holders) or use a registered intermediary broker like DCXV. Note: IPv4 resources cannot be transferred within 24 months of receipt by the current holder
2. Block verification - Confirm the IPv4 prefix is free of blacklisting, has clean WHOIS registry history, and no outstanding disputes
3. Transfer agreement - Sign transfer agreement specifying prefix, price, conditions, and escrow terms
4. RIPE NCC submission - Submit transfer request via RIPE NCC portal (ripe.net) with required documentation including proof of ownership
5. Registry update - RIPE NCC reviews, audits documents, and updates the WHOIS database. Typically 1-7 business days after submission
6. Route announcement - New owner announces BGP routes from their autonomous system. After the transfer, the subnet becomes non-transferable for 24 months. Transfer complete

IPv4 Address Pricing in the RIPE Region (2026)

The IPv4 market in the RIPE region shows a clear bifurcation in 2026. Small blocks (/24-/22) command premium prices driven by strong SMB, cloud, and IoT demand. Larger blocks (/18 and above) sit at multi-year lows following a 60%+ correction from the 2021-2022 peak.

Block	Addresses	Price per IP (EUR)	Block Price (EUR)
/24	256	35 - 42	8,960 - 10,752
/23	512	32 - 39	16,384 - 19,968
/22	1,024	26 - 32	26,624 - 32,768
/21	2,048	22 - 28	45,056 - 57,344
/20	4,096	18 - 26	73,728 - 106,496
/19	8,192	16 - 22	131,072 - 180,224
/18	16,384	14 - 18	229,376 - 294,912
/17	32,768	12 - 16	393,216 - 524,288
/16	65,536	9 - 14	589,824 - 917,504

Prices are indicative and vary based on block cleanliness, registry history, and market conditions. Contact DCXV at ipv4@dcxv.com for current quotes.

IPv4 lease pricing starts from approximately EUR 100-115/month for a /24 block.

RIPE NCC Membership and Transfer Costs

To hold IPv4 resources directly through RIPE NCC, you need a Local Internet Registry (LIR) account:

• Annual LIR membership fee - EUR 1,800/year
• New LIR sign-up fee - EUR 1,000 (one-time)
• Per-transfer fee - None. A EUR 500 per-transfer fee was proposed in 2023 but rejected by RIPE NCC members at the General Meeting
• 24-month holding period - IPv4 resources cannot be transferred within 24 months of receipt. This rule prevents speculative flipping

In 2025, RIPE NCC processed 350-480 transfers per month, confirming strong market liquidity and efficient processing times.

Why Use a Broker for IPv4 Transfers?

Direct IPv4 transfers between parties are possible but complex. An approved broker provides:

• RIPE NCC documentation handling - brokers know the exact paperwork and compliance requirements
• Wider buyer/seller pool - access to a larger market than direct outreach
• Clean title verification - reduces risk of blacklisted or disputed IP space
• Escrow payment protection - secure transactions for both parties
• Speed - experienced brokers complete transfers faster by avoiding common documentation errors

DCXV IPv4 Brokerage Service

DCXV (AS204057) is an approved transfer facilitator with:

• RIPE NCC - IPv4 Transfer Brokers
• APNIC - Approved transfer facilitator
• ARIN - Registered facilitator

We handle blocks from /24 to /16 and larger legacy space. Process: submit your block details to ipv4@dcxv.com - receive valuation within 24 hours - we find buyers/sellers and manage the full transfer through the relevant registry.

DCXV can open escrow within 1 hour and complete full transfers in as few as 7-10 business days.

Inter-RIR Transfers

IPv4 addresses can also be transferred between different Regional Internet Registries:

• RIPE - ARIN - Supported since 2015. Requires compliance with both registries’ policies
• RIPE - APNIC - Supported. Additional documentation may be required
• ARIN - APNIC - Supported with specific transfer policies
• AFRINIC - Does not currently support inter-RIR transfers

DCXV facilitates inter-RIR transfers as an approved broker across RIPE NCC, APNIC, and ARIN. Inter-RIR transfers typically take longer (up to 6 weeks) due to coordination between registries.

How to Sell Unused IPv4 Addresses

If your organization holds IPv4 address blocks that are no longer in use:

1. Contact DCXV at ipv4@dcxv.com with your block details (prefix, RIPE NCC handle, size)
2. Our team provides a valuation within 24 hours based on current market conditions
3. We find qualified buyers from our network
4. DCXV manages the full transfer process through RIPE NCC on your behalf
5. Payment via escrow ensures security for both parties

Demand for small and medium blocks remains strong. If you hold larger blocks, the market still has active buyers at competitive volume rates.

IPv4 Leasing as an Alternative

Not ready to buy? IPv4 leasing offers flexibility:

• Lease rates - approximately EUR 0.35-0.42 per IP per month
• A /24 block - from EUR 100-115/month
• Best for - temporary projects, testing environments, scaling before committing to purchase

DCXV offers both IPv4 purchase and lease options. Contact ipv4@dcxv.com to discuss which option fits your needs.

FAQ

How long does an IPv4 transfer take in the RIPE NCC region?

IPv4 transfers via RIPE NCC typically take 1-7 business days after documentation is submitted. Complex transfers or large legacy blocks may take longer due to additional RIPE NCC review. Inter-RIR transfers can take up to 6 weeks. DCXV handles all RIPE NCC correspondence to minimize delays.

What is the minimum IPv4 block size that can be transferred?

RIPE NCC allows transfers of /24 (256 IP addresses) and larger. Sub-/24 blocks cannot be transferred as independent allocations under RIPE NCC policy. For smaller needs, consider IPv4 leasing.

Do I need to be a RIPE NCC member to buy IPv4 addresses?

You need to be a RIPE NCC member (LIR) to hold IPv4 resources directly. LIR registration costs EUR 1,000 (sign-up) plus EUR 1,800/year. DCXV can assist with LIR registration (approximately 7 days) or facilitate the transfer through our own membership. Contact ipv4@dcxv.com for options.

Are there per-transfer fees at RIPE NCC?

No. RIPE NCC does not charge per-transfer fees. A EUR 500 per-transfer fee was proposed in 2023 but rejected by RIPE NCC members at the General Meeting. The only recurring cost is the annual LIR membership fee of EUR 1,800.

Can I transfer IPv4 addresses between different RIRs?

Yes. RIPE NCC supports inter-RIR transfers with ARIN and APNIC. Both registries’ policies must be satisfied. DCXV facilitates inter-RIR transfers as an approved broker across all three registries. Note that AFRINIC does not currently support inter-RIR transfers.