How to Watch German Netflix Abroad?
Netflix is a streaming service that provides various TV shows, anime, movies, documentaries, and more on different internet-connected devices. You can access the service through the web from a personal computer or through the app on smart TVs, smartphones, tablets, streaming media players, and game consoles.
Through this service, viewers can watch as much content as they like after purchasing a monthly subscription. Netflix also has excellent usability features across many interfaces, allowing offline downloads and access to 4K content. Netflix is an excellent source for streaming various types of video content due to its top-notch service and other features.
Why Can’t I Access German Netflix Abroad?
Though Netflix is available in many countries, including Germany, the content you can access in each country is limited. This is known as geo-restriction. There is a content library for each country on Netflix. This means some movies and TV shows are only available in certain countries.
Geo-restrictions exist due to several reasons. One particular reason is that services like Netflix may only have the license to broadcast a movie or TV show in a particular country. There are hundreds of blockbuster movies and TV shows that are accessible on Netflix in Germany but not in other countries. If you’re interested in any of these, then your best bet is to use a VPN.
The Best VPNs for German Netflix
In this section, we’ll consider the best VPNs to use to watch German Netflix abroad. VPNs are perfect for bypassing geo-restrictions and streaming Netflix content seamlessly.
ExpressVPN
Features
- Number of servers: More than 3,000
- Speeds: Unlimited
- Server locations: 160 in 105 countries
- Maximum devices supported: 5
- 24 live chat: Yes
- 30-day money-back guarantee: Yes
Pros/Cons
- Fastest VPN out there
- Strict no logs policy
- 256-bit AES encryption
- Few discounts
ExpressVPN is our top pick for streaming German Netflix content. It is very reliable and has provided top-notch service to users over the years and is perfect for streaming high-resolution content on Netflix.
ExpressVPN has over 3000 servers in 94 countries, allowing you to access Netflix content from various countries. There are many of these servers located in Germany, making it relatively easy to watch German Netflix abroad through this VPN. If you encounter any problems using Netflix’s service, you can contact the customer support to get a solution. For security, ExpressVPN uses the AES 256-bit encryption protocol.
The service also offers WebRTC, DNS, and IPv6 leak protection. There is a kill switch that stops all internet traffic if the connection to the VPN drops. Alongside this, ExpressVPN provides a split tunneling feature and maintains a strict no-logs policy. All these guarantee your security and privacy while viewing Netflix with ExpressVPN.
Also, there are various protocols on ExpressVPN. You can choose any compatible protocol you prefer while using the service. Protocols such as OpenVPN, Lightway, IKEv2, PPTP, SSTP, L2TP/IPsec, and Wireguard are all available on this VPN. The service can also choose the most suitable protocol for you based on your internet connection.
While Netflix is available on many devices, ExpressVPN is also compatible with major operating systems such as Windows, Android, iOS, and routers. This makes it easy to access various movies and TV shows on Netflix on different types of devices using ExpressVPN.
- Pros: Fastest VPN out there; Strict no logs policy; 256-bit AES encryption;
- Lowest price: $6.67
NordVPN
Features
- Cryptocurrency accepted? Yes
- Simultaneous connections: 6
- Dedicated IP-addresses? Yes
- Servers: 5342 in 58 countries
Pros/Cons
- Lots of pricing options
- Netflix support kept up to date
- 256-bit AES encryption
- Slow app
NordVPN is another excellent choice for streaming German Netflix from outside Germany. The VPN is based in Panama and was launched in 2012. Since Panama does not have strict data retention laws, the VPN is a good choice when considering privacy and security.
NordVPN maintains a no-logs policy, which is entirely reliable. NordVPN has many servers, over 5400, in fact. It also has servers that have been explicitly configured to work with Netflix.
Their customer support is available to resolve issues relating to streaming Netflix through the service. Apart from providing access to Netflix, NordVPN also offers excellent privacy and security features. The VPN uses the standard AES 256-bit encryption protocol combined with IKEv2, OpenVPN, and NordLynx.
NordVPN has special servers with extra security and privacy features such as the double VPN option, anti-DDoS protection, and P2P support. There is no bandwidth cap, so you stream Netflix without connection breaks.
NordVPN has dedicated apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android. It also has extensions for Chrome and Firefox web browsers. To use the VPN with a router, you’ll have to set it up manually. The app is easy to use, and you can easily connect to a server that will allow you to connect to Netflix abroad. With a single subscription, you can connect up to 6 devices simultaneously, allowing you to enjoy the service on different devices.
- Pros: Lots of pricing options; Netflix support kept up to date; 256-bit AES encryption;
- Lowest price: $3.71
CyberGhost
Features
- Connected devices at once: 7
- Automatic kill switch? Yes
- One click connect: Yes
- Servers: 5900 worldwide
Pros/Cons
- No logs policy
- 24/7 live chat
- Apps for mobile devices and routers
- No free option
CyberGhost offers a simple but fantastic experience when streaming Netflix abroad. CyberGhost is a Romania-based VPN service that was launched in 2011. Romania is a country with privacy-friendly laws, making it easy for the VPN service to maintain excellent privacy and security protection. This VPN has over 6400 servers in more than 90 countries across the globe. This makes it easy to connect to servers that will let you access to German content on Netflix.
On CyberGhost, there is an option known as Unblock Streaming. This takes the user to a page where there is an option to choose Netflix. There is a list of servers capable of unblocking Netflix with automatically configured settings. The servers are fast enough to stream high-resolution videos without buffering. CyberGhost has dedicated apps for Android, Windows, Mac, Linux, Android Tv, and Amazon Firestick. CyberGhost offers a one-day free trial period and allows you to use a single subscription on up to seven devices simultaneously.
The one-time subscription for 12 months comes with a 45-day money-back guarantee. The 6-month subscription plan comes with a 7-day risk-free trial, as it is quite costly. For security, CyberGhost uses the military-grade AES 256-bit encryption and a kill switch for stopping internet traffic if the connection drops, thereby ensuring you do not lose access to the Netflix content. For further protection, the VPN uses the Internet Key Exchange version 2 (IKEv2) and Wireguard.
- Pros: No logs policy; 24/7 live chat; Apps for mobile devices and routers;
- Lowest price: €2
Surfshark
Features
- Free trial? Yes
- Simultaneous connections: Unlimited
- Ad blocking? Yes
- Servers: 1000+ in 61 countries
Pros/Cons
- No footprints
- Allows torrenting
- 256-bit AES encryption
- Not the fastest
Surfshark is a VPN service with more than 1700 servers spread out across 63 countries all over the world, giving you access to Netflix content from around the world, including German Netflix. Surfshark has dedicated apps for major operating systems such as Windows, iOS, Mac, and Linux.
For security, Surfshark uses AES 256-bit encryption and keeps a strict no-logging policy, which means it does not store or share the details of your internet activity. The VPN also has other security and privacy features such as DNS leak protection, IPv6 protection, and WebRTC leak protection.
Through the NoBorders feature, you can bypass various geo-restrictions and internet censorships, giving you access to the full Netflix library. The Multihop feature reroutes internet traffic through multiple servers to provide extra protection. Surfshark comes with an ad blocker and a camouflage mode that ensures your IP address is hidden at all times. This is important when looking to watch Netflix content from other regions.
A fantastic feature Surfshark has is the support for unlimited simultaneous connections. You can use one subscription on unlimited devices. You can also get a 7-day free trial period and a 30-day money-back guarantee on all major subscription plans. The servers are fast enough to stream HD content without buffering. Also, the VPN does not have a bandwidth cap, meaning you can stream content as much as you like without connection breaks. There is a 24/7 live chat system where you can contact a customer support representative if you experience issues using the service.
- Pros: No footprints; Allows torrenting; 256-bit AES encryption;
- Lowest Price: $2.49
TrustZone
Features
- Complete anonymity? Yes
- Unblocking of all websites? Yes
- Pricing options: 4
- Servers: 164 in 80+ zones
- Free trial: Yes
Pros/Cons
- Military grade encryption
- Bitcoin accepted
- App for mobile devices
- Lesser known provider
Trust.Zone is a VPN service owned by Trusted Solutions. It remains one of the few VPNs able to unblock Netflix. The VPN has more than 180 servers in 40 countries all over the world (Germany-inclusive). This gives you the opportunity to access German Netflix from your location once you connect to a German server.
For security, Trust.Zone uses an AES 256-bit protocol for encryption and supports OpenVPN and L2TP over IPSec. There is a Kill Switch which blocks all internet traffic if the internet connection stops unexpectedly.
The VPN also offers protection against DNS leaks and WebRTC leaks. Since the service is based in Seychelles, which is not part of the 14-Eyes alliance, the VPN provides complete privacy to its users as it does not store user logs or any other information. Trust.Zone has dedicated apps for Windows, Mac, Android, and Linux OS. The app is easy to install and use, and it has an interactive interface. The service offers a 3-day free trial period and allows you to use a subscription on up to three devices simultaneously.
However, you can get two extra features as add ons when you purchase specific subscription plans. For example, you can get a static personal IP address in the UK for $9.99 per month and up to five simultaneous connections when purchasing the two-year plan. It is quite easy to make payments as the service supports various payment methods such as Visa, PayPal, and Bitcoin.
- Pros: Military grade encryption; Bitcoin accepted; App for mobile devices;
- Lowest price: €3
Things to Consider Before Choosing a VPN for German Netflix
Not many VPNs work with Netflix; some VPNs do not offer access while you may encounter slow streaming speeds with others. There are a few important features to look out for before choosing a VPN for Netflix. We’ll discuss them below:
- Number of Servers: This is highly important if you want to stream Netflix content from other regions. The number of servers and the server location are important. Always lookout for a VPN with many high-speed servers in Germany or your preferred area if you want to use it with Netflix.
- Server Speed: This matters a lot if you want to enjoy a seamless experience using a VPN with Netflix. Choose a VPN with enough high-speed German servers or one with unlimited bandwidth that can stream high-resolution content comfortably.
- Security and Privacy: A good VPN will hide your real IP and change your location to Germany while giving you full protection. Always look out for one with a strong encryption protocol, a no-logs policy, and other security and privacy features.
- Price: A good VPN doesn’t always come cheap. However, there are VPNs with good subscription plans that are not too costly. Free VPNs might not be the best option as they do not offer enough security and privacy features compared to paid VPNs. See comparison of different VPN prices here.
- Unblocking Ability: Netflix continuously blocks most VPNs. However, a strong VPN should give you access to the full Netflix library, with all things being equal. You should lookout for a VPN that can easily bypass censorships and geo-restrictions. The VPNs we have listed above are excellent for bypassing internet restrictions.
Are VPNs Legal and Safe?
In most parts of the world, VPNs are legal as long as you do not use them for unethical purposes. However, they are considered illegal in countries like Japan, Turkey, and China. Apart from these countries, you can use a VPN anywhere else without any fear as long as it protects your privacy and provides excellent security. Unfortunately, not all VPNs are certified safe to use, and not all can give you access to streaming services such as Netflix, even though they may make such promises.
The VPNs we have listed above are tested, trusted, and reliable. They offer excellent privacy and security protection as well as great unblocking features. They all use a robust encryption protocol, and maintain a No-Log Policy as well as other security features such as Kill Switch and DNS leak protection. All you need to do is register and connect to a suitable server to start streaming foreign content on Netflix.
Conclusion
Netflix has lots of exciting shows, movies, and documentaries, but many have been restricted to specific regions. Watching the German Netflix library while you are out of Germany is impossible due to the license required to broadcast shows and movies in other countries. To access German Netflix content abroad, you will need a strong VPN. We have listed the best VPNs capable of unblocking German Netflix when abroad while offering incredible streaming speeds. You can choose from any of the ones listed as they are certified fit to provide a great streaming experience.