Sometimes.

Different domain extensions are managed by different registries, and depending on how that registry processes transfers, you may need to renew the domain name as part of the transfer – others allow domain names to be transferred at no cost (retaining the original expiry period without a renewal).

With the exception of the below, domain extensions will incur a cost to transfer, and an additional year’s registration will be applied to the domain on completion of the transfer.

Domain extensions that allow free transfers (renewal optional)

Most ccTLD (Country Code Top Level Domain) extensions are free to transfer without a required renewal.
Below is the list of TLDs that do not require renewal on transfer:

• .asn.au
• .com.au
• .id.au
• .net.au
• .org.au
• .co.nz
• .geek.nz
• .net.nz
• .nz
• .org.nz
• .school.nz
• .co.uk
• .me.uk
• .net.uk
• .org.uk
• .uk
• .ag
• .lc
• .mn
• .sc
• .vc