If you’ve tried to access Netflix UK while on holiday or out of the country, you’ll probably have noticed you no longer have access. Movie rights and copyright compliance means streaming sites have to put geo-restrictions in place, to limit what content you can see in each country. When you log into the platform elsewhere, you’ll be offered a whole different catalogue of films and TV shows. This is fine if you didn’t have anything in mind, but not so great if you’ve missed the latest episode of your favourite show and all your friends are talking about it without you. If you want to know how to get Netflix UK abroad, you’ll first need VPN. In this guide, we’ll show you how to watch UK Netflix abroad, and which are the best VPNs for the job.
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Can I watch UK Netflix Abroad?
Unfortunately, you can’t just get Netflix UK when abroad – even if your laptop or device is registered in the UK. As soon as you cross the border, the platform will recognise your IP address is in another country, and will provide you with the relevant Netflix catalogue available.
Why?
Show owners and/or producers sell shows to Netflix with the right to broadcast in the United Kingdom only. Therefore, you have to be in the UK to watch them. If you’re outside of the allowed area, you won’t have access to any show that’s exclusive to our market. You’ll still have access to hundreds of shows and films available in the country you’re in, though.
If that’s no good, and you’re really in the mood for a specific UK show, read on to find out how to get Netflix UK in another country.
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As of April 1st 2018, a new European regulation came into force on on cross-border portability of online services. This means that anyone trying to get Netflix UK within Europe, will be automatically granted access. So, if you’re on holiday on the continent, you should have no issues, and will be able to get Netflix UK anyway.
The only downside to this is when you permanently move countries – say, as an expat in Spain or France – you’ll still only have access to the UK content. If you want to access the local catalogue, you will need to set up a new Netflix account, registered in your new home. If you want to be able to access UK and European content, you could sign up for an American account and use a VPN, as US accounts aren’t covered by the limitations of European accounts. The best of both worlds!
You can subscribe to a US Netflix account like so:
- Subscribe to a VPN with an American server, compatible with Netflix
- Connect to an American server
- Visit Netflix.com
- Register with a NEW email address
- Enter an American ZIP code (90210 for example)
- Use your credit card to subscribe
- Enjoy your US account where you can get Netflix UK, as well as American, European and other libraries across the world (with a VPN of course)
If you’re fortunate enough to be jetting off out of Europe you’ll still need to find a way how to get Netflix UK abroad. Luckily, we have the answer!
How Do I Get Netflix UK Abroad?
There are several ways in which you can watch UK Netflix abroad. Some legal, some not-so-much…
For example, illegal streaming services and torrent websites are really popular ways of watching TV shows and films from anywhere in the world. These don’t actually unblock Netflix UK, but you will probably be able to find UK content on their sites. However, the quality of these services are heavily dependent on the fans or site users. Content is uploaded by contributors, so the quality of the stream will be hit and miss. Let’s also not forget the fact that piracy is a crime.
Alternatives for how to watch UK Netflix abroad include an unblocker or proxy server, but these can be pretty technical to set up. Today, we are going to focus on how to unblock UK Netflix with a VPN. This is the best way to ensure you can watch all your favourite things in HD with a free conscience.
Is It Legal To Unblock UK Netflix Abroad?
Good news, VPNs are 100% legal. A VPN – or Virtual Private Network – is a piece of software that’s there to manage all your data while you browse the web. It encrypts any data you’re sending, and any you receive, and protects you from cyber spies and internet providers tracking your online movements.
So what does this have to do with watching telly, and how do you get Netflix UK using a VPN? When trying to access sites from abroad, you can use a VPN to hide the location of your IP address, so that internet providers (ISPs) can’t tell where you currently are. You can unblock Netflix UK by turning on your VPN, and choosing a UK server. That way, Netflix will see your IP address as located in the UK, and provide you will all the great content you’ve been missing: House of Cards, The Crown, The Queen’s Gambit – everything.
My favourite VPN to unblock Netflix UK is below. I use it to protect my data whenever I’m browsing the web. But whenever people ask me how to access Netflix UK abroad, I always recommend they use ExpressVPN for the job.
How Much Does It Cost To Unblock UK Netflix?
A good quality VPN isn’t free, but it will only set you back a few pounds each month. A typical VPN service that will let you unblock Netflix UK – or even Netflix US – will cost between £5-£10 a month. Discounts are available when you sign up for longer contracts though, like 6 months or up to 2 years. But, it’s also worth mentioning that the most renowned VPN services do provide new customers with a free trial or money-back guarantee. That way, you can try it out, see if it works for you, and have plenty of time to ‘try before you buy’ – ideal if you just want to unblock Netflix UK while away on holiday for a few weeks.
How To Get Netflix UK With A Free VPN
On this site, we are always honest and only recommend the best products to our readers. That’s why we would never recommend a free VPN to unblock Netflix UK. Why? Well, there are a whole bunch of reasons.
First off, you’ve probably heard the phrase ‘if you’re not paying for the product, you are the product’ right? VPNs are meant to protect your data from third parties and wandering eyes but free VPNs have been known to sell your data on.
Secondly, free VPNs can limit your access. Some providers will restrict the servers you have access to around the world. So you might find, once you’ve signed up, that a server isn’t even available in the country you’re trying to access.
If that’s not enough to put you off, free VPNs might not even let you unblock Netflix UK… yep. Streaming platforms and ISPs are pretty clued up on free unblocking software. Therefore, you might spend all this time setting up a free VPN, only to find you still can’t unblock Netflix UK abroad.
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Can A VPN Do More Than Just Unblock Netflix UK?
Not only can you watch UK Netflix abroad, you’ll also be able to watch Netflix US in the UK, BBC iPlayer in Europe and access geo-restricted content from any where in the world.
VPNs also increase your privacy and your security so you can surf anonymously and protect your data from hackers and government tracking. With some VPNs you can also limit data usage on your phone, download torrents or play games online. ISPs are quick to ‘throttle’ your internet connection when they notice you using large amounts for online gaming or streaming. With a VPN, your activity is hidden, so you don’t have to worry about buffering or data capping.
How To Get Netflix UK: Is it safe for my data?
Data protection is of upmost important to us, but we can’t vouch for the safety of your data if you choose to watch UK Netflix abroad with a free VPN. But, if you follow our steps on how to get Netflix UK with the VPN brands we recommend, there’s no risk to your data. In fact, your data couldn’t be safer!
These companies don’t collect or store any data from your online activity. VPNs were created to fight against surveillance and censorship online: They value your privacy and security. Even large companies use VPNs to secure the internet connections of their employees when they’re abroad.
The best VPNs to watch UK Netflix Abroad
To rank the best VPN you can use to unblock Netflix UK, I focused on three criteria:
Simplicity
You want a simple software that’s easy to set up and use without too much technical knowledge. I prefer software that is launched once and continues to work in the background without me having to do anything else.
Speed
There’s nothing worse than loading screens or buffering while you watch a video. Therefore speed was another thing I considered within the ranking process.
Value for money
We want to make sure that nobody is having to invest tonnes of time and money into using a VPN. There’s something to suit any budget.
Here are the top VPNs to help you watch UK Netflix abroad:
VPNs aren’t just for desktop and laptop, either. Most offer an app for iOS and Android, so you can stream content while on the move.
How To Watch UK Netflix Abroad
Below, is a brief video on how to get Netflix UK abroad. Alternatively, we’ve also written some easy to follow steps to help you on your way.
A Step By Step To Unblock Netflix UK
- Choose a VPN software from above
- Click on the “WEBSITE” button to access the website
- Create an account
- Download, install and launch the software
- Select a server in the UK
- Turn on the VPN connection
- Go back to Netflix
Now you know how to get UK Netflix. Don’t forget to go out and actually enjoy your holiday though, the TV will be there when you return!
And that’s how to watch Netflix UK from abroad
So, what have we covered? In this guide you will have learnt why Netflix UK isn’t just available anywhere you take your laptop. You’ll have found out how to get Netflix UK using a VPN as well as why a free version isn’t always the best choice. And you’re also equipped with a list of the best VPNs to use to watch UK Netflix abroad, as well as how to set it up for success. There’s also so much more a VPN can do, so if you’re struggling, or would like to know, definitely get in touch!
