The Netflix streaming catalog is gigantic, but you still only see part of the content. In this article, we explain how you can use your Netflix account abroad with a VPN.
The best VPN for Netflix
Netflix is available almost worldwide and subscribing is a breeze. However, you only see part of the content at a time, namely the content that has been licensed for the respective country. So in Germany the German content, in the USA the US content.
The streaming service uses your IP address to identify your location. The corresponding catalog is activated on the basis of this. All other content disappears behind a country lock and is invisible to you.
This geoblock can be annoying, for example when you want to access your series and films on vacation. In other EU countries, this usually works without any problems, in other countries you cannot avoid using a VPN service. Further down in the article we will deal with the legal aspects, but first we will go into the technical specifics.
Use Netflix with VPN – Here’s how!
Netflix goes to great lengths to prevent the illegal use of its content. In addition to so-called account sharing, Netflix also tracks the use of VPNs and proxies that bypass geoblocks.
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- Number of countries: 91
- Available Servers: 9200+
- Number of devices: 7
- Streaming in 4k possible?: ✔ Yes
- Streaming in HD possible?: ✔ Yes
The streaming service is sometimes so aggressive here that even normal connections without an active VPN client accidentally get an error message. The streaming service accepts this and refers on its help pages to turn off the VPN service or to request a new IP by restarting the router. It’s actually your problem then.
If Netflix detects the use of a VPN, proxy or SmartDNS service, the app acknowledges this with the above error message “M7037-1111”.
Over the years, Netflix has steadily improved its technologies for detecting VPNs. Unblockers – i.e. SmartDNS services – have now completely dropped out of the race, for many VPNs the effort is no longer worthwhile. So you can only fall back on very few VPN services. None of the tested VPN services were always reliable for unblocking all Netflix catalogues. The easiest and most reliable was to access the US catalog using the VPN services below.
CyberGhost
- Number of countries: 91
- Available Servers: 9200+
- Number of devices: 7
- Streaming in 4k possible?: ✔ Yes
- Streaming in HD possible?: ✔ Yes
to offer
NordVPN
- Number of countries: 60
- Available Servers: 5297+
- Number of devices: 6
- Streaming in 4k possible?: ✘ No
- Streaming in HD possible?: ✔ Yes
to offer
Surfshark VPN
- Number of countries: 65
- Available Servers: 3200+
- Number of devices: Unlimited
- Streaming in 4k possible?: ✘ No
- Streaming in HD possible?: ✔ Yes
to offer
ExpressVPN
- Number of countries: 94+
- Available Servers: 3000+
- Number of devices: 5
- Streaming in 4k possible?: ✔ Yes
- Streaming in HD possible?: ✔ Yes
to offer
Tip! In our guide to streaming with VPN, we go into detail about the most important key points that you should consider when choosing a VPN.
If you have a VPN client active, all you have to do is select the right server location and then log in with your Netflix account. You don’t have to create a separate account, Netflix only uses the IP address to decide which content is displayed to you.
Are VPNs Legal for Using Netflix?
VPNs are generally legal, nobody can prohibit you from using them. However, Netflix must set up geo-blocks to protect the rights of third parties. Because Netflix licenses a large part of its content and these licenses vary from country to country. If Netflix did not implement protective measures, the service would be unattractive for licensors in the long term.
Therefore, Netflix regulates the use of VPNs in its terms and conditions. In the text it says:
You can access the Netflix content primarily in the country where you created your account and only in geographic regions where we offer your subscription and have licensed the relevant content. Available content may vary by region and will also change from time to time. Ad-supported subscription may not include all Netflix content. The number of devices you and other members of your household can watch Netflix on at the same time depends on the subscription plan you choose and is specified on the “Account” page.
Netflix Terms and Conditions §4.3. – Netflix service
The wording is a little vague, especially the first sentence. This is due to the fact that the new streaming regulation must ensure that your Netflix account can be used within the EU. In Italy and Spain you don’t have to worry about a VPN. In Switzerland or the USA it’s different again, here you have to use a VPN to be able to access your content. If you live in Germany but want to access the content in the USA, this is prohibited by the terms and conditions. If you do it anyway, Netflix can block your account.
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