How to watch Netflix USA from Germany with a VPN

Netflix has different library of TV shows and movies for every country it operates in. When you connect to Netflix, it determines your location according to your IP address. This can be frustrating when you’re traveling abroad and want to access your home Netflix US library while in Germany. Don’t worry. By using a VPN, you can change your IP address and securely access American Netflix from Germany.

A Virtual Private Network or VPN encrypts your device’s internet connection and routes it through an intermediary server in a location of your choosing. That means you’ll connect to Netflix from the VPN server instead of your real location, granting access to the full library of movies and TV shows on Netflix USA from Germany.

In this article, we give detailed reviews of the best VPNs for accessing Netflix USA from Germany, but if you don’t have time to read the whole article, here’s a summary of our recommendations.

Best VPN for watching Netflix US from Germany:

1. NordVPN: Our top pick for Netflix US. Works well with American Netflix as well as many other streaming services. High-speed servers and strong security. Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for Netflix.
2. Surfshark: Great budget option for accessing American Netflix from Germany. Extremely fast and secure. Servers in 100+ countries. No connection limit.
3. IPVanish: Security-minded US-based VPN that makes it easy to stream Netflix USA from Germany or anywhere. No connection limits.
4. ExpressVPN: Super secure and super fast. Works reliably with Netflix and plenty of other streaming services. 24/7 customer support.
5. CyberGhost: Novice-friendly option that can securely access Netflix US from anywhere. Vast network of 10,000+ global servers.
6. PrivateVPN: A small but fast VPN that works with Netflix and boasts top-tier security and high speeds ideal for streaming.

How to use a VPN to securely access Netflix US from Germany

Once you’ve signed up for one of the recommended VPN providers above, getting set up to stream American Netflix is easy.

Here’s how to watch Netflix US in Germany:

1. Download and install the VPN app onto your preferred device. We recommend NordVPN.
2. Log in to the app and select a US server. This will give you the US IP address you need to bypass Netflix’s restrictions. You may need to consult with customer support to find out which servers work with Netflix.
3. Connect to the server and wait for the connection to be established.
4. If you experience problems, try clearing your browser’s cookies and cache and then reconnecting.
5. Open Netflix as usual and start streaming!

How we found the best VPNs to stream Netflix US in Germany

There are hundreds of VPNs on the market, but they don’t all provide the same level of service and won’t all help you connect to American Netflix from Germany. To take the guesswork out of it for you, we’ve curated our list of the best VPNs for the job based on the following criteria:

• Works reliably with Netflix USA
• Fast speeds for high-quality, uninterrupted streaming
• Strong security and a no-logs privacy policy
• Quick, competent customer support (German language support is a plus!)
• Money-back guarantee

This is just an overview, but you can read a more detailed account of what we look for in the VPNs we recommend in the methodology section below. But for now, let’s take a closer look at the ones that made our list.

Best VPNs for watching Netflix US in Germany – at a glance

We’ve compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for US Netflix.

Best VPNs to stream Netflix US in Germany

Here is our list of the best VPNs for watching Netflix US from Germany:

1. NordVPN

Dec 2024 works with US NetflixTested Dec 2024

NordVPN is our top VPN recommendation for watching Netflix USA from Germany (or anywhere). Nord makes it easy to stream Netflix safely. It’s one of the fastest VPNs we’ve tested, so video streaming should never be an issue. Aside from having almost 2,000 US servers spread across 16 locations, NordVPN has a wide network of over 6,000 servers in 100+ countries, making it easy to access content wherever you like.

Every NordVPN connection is protected by strong encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a customizable kill switch. NordVPN doesn’t store identifiable logs of your activity while connected to the VPN. In fact, it has an independently audited no-logs policy to prove it. You can connect up to six devices at once on a single plan and, if you need help, 24-hour support is available via live chat as well as email.

NordVPN apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, and Fire TV, all of which can securely access Netflix USA in the app or in a web browser. Chrome, Firefox, and Edge browser extensions are also offered. Use with routers requires manual setup.

NordVPN speed test data

BEST VPN FOR NETFLIX US:NordVPN is our #1 VPN choice it works well with American Netflix and other popular streaming sites and is extremely strong on security. It comes with a 30-day risk-free money-back guarantee.

Read our full NordVPN review.

2. Surfshark

works with US NetflixTested Dec 2024

Surfshark is our top budget pick. It excels at securely accessing services like Netflix and other popular streaming sites. In fact, Surfshark is compatible with over 30 Netflix libraries in all. It’s one of the fastest VPNs we’ve tested as of the time of writing, so bring on the 4K streams! With a network of over 3,000 servers spread across 100 countries, including the US, finding a server where you need one is easy.

Surfshark doesn’t skimp on security. Your data is protected with military-grade encryption and zero logging of users’ activity or identifying personal information. You can also expect a kill switch and protection from both DNS and IPv6 leaks. Better still, users can connect an unlimited number of devices at once on a single account, making Surfshark a great option for a family or group of housemates.

Apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, and Fire TV. Browser extensions can be downloaded for Chrome and Firefox. You can even manually configure a Surfshark connection with VPN-compatible routers.

Surfshark speed test data

BEST FOR BUDGET:Surfshark offers great value. It works with Netflix and offers unlimited connections, competitive speed, security, and privacy features at a low price. It also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Surfshark review.

3. IPVanish

works with US NetflixTested Dec 2024

IPVanish lets users connect as many devices as they like and works well with Netflix USA. A network of over 2,000 servers in 75+ locations, combined with some decent speeds, makes it perfect for streaming high-quality video. Notably, IPVanish allows unlimited simultaneous connections per account, which makes it an excellent choice for sharing with family.

IPVanish protects every connection with military-grade encryption, leak protection, and a kill switch. It follows a true no-logs policy and recently introduced support for the WireGuard protocol. Live chat is available 24/7 and can help you with any issues you might have.

Apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Fire TV. IPVanish is especially popular among Kodi users and works with any Kodi add-on. Manual setup is necessary to use IPVanish with Linux or routers however.

IPVanish speed test data

SECURE VPN:IPVanish can help you stream American Netflix from Germany while keeping your internet connection secure from third parties. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full IPVanish review.

4. ExpressVPN

works with US NetflixTested Dec 2024

ExpressVPN is a fast and reliable provider that consistently works with Netflix US. It also provides secure access to various other streaming services, including Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and HBO. ExpressVPN offers top-of-the-line encryption standards, leak protection, and a “network lock” that halts all internet traffic in the event of a dropped connection. Download speeds are more than fast enough to stream in HD without buffering.

If you watch Netflix on a device that doesn’t support VPNs, ExpressVPN still has you covered. You can use the MediaStreamer smart DNS proxy service on game consoles and Apple TV. Alternatively, installing ExpressVPN’s custom firmware on a wifi router can tunnel any device in your home through the VPN, including smart TV, Roku, and Chromecast.

Apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, certain wifi routers, and Amazon Fire TV. Chrome, Firefox, and Edge browser extensions are also available.

ExpressVPN speed test data

HIGH-END VPN:ExpressVPN is a speedy, reliable and secure VPN with servers in 100+ countries and apps for a huge range of devices. Every plan includes a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full ExpressVPN review.

5. CyberGhost

works with US NetflixTested Dec 2024

CyberGhost makes it easier than ever to watch American Netflix from Germany. With it, you can select the appropriate streaming-optimized server to get started as quickly as possible. CyberGhost is one of the fastest VPNs we’ve tested and should be more than capable of streaming high-definition video. With a vast network of over 10,000 servers in 100+ countries, finding a connection where you need one is easy.

If you run into any trouble, take advantage of the 24/7 live chat support. CyberGhost is the only provider on this list to offer live chat support in German. The company doesn’t keep any identifying logs and uses strong encryption standards. A kill switch, automatic wi-fi security, and leak protection come bundled in the apps. CyberGhost lets you connect up to seven devices at once.

Apps are available for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and Fire TV. Chrome and Firefox browser extensions are also available while a connection can be manually configured with select routers.

CyberGhost speed test data

EAST-TO-USE:CyberGhost's intuitive apps make it easy to stream Netflix US from Germany. Strong security, vast server network, and great customer support. It offers a generous 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full CyberGhost review.

6. PrivateVPN

works with US NetflixTested Dec 2024

PrivateVPN can securely access pretty much everything we’ve thrown at it thus far, including Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+. Streaming servers are no longer labeled, but there aren’t many in each location, so finding out which ones work doesn’t take long at all. PrivateVPN has posted some impressive download speeds in our tests, so it has the bandwidth necessary for HD streams.

If you have any problems, live chat support is ready to help. There’s even free remote help and installation should you require any extra assistance. The VPN provides un-crackable encryption, perfect forward secrecy, leak protection, and a kill switch. A single plan allows you to connect up to 10 devices at the same time.

PrivateVPN apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Fire TV. You can also manually set up a connection with Linux and select wireless routers.

PrivateVPN speed test data

SECURE AND SPEEDY:PrivateVPN is great for streaming thanks to its top-tier speeds and strong security toolkit. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

Still getting the proxy error? Try this.

If Netflix detects that you are using a VPN, it will usually just show you content that’s available everywhere in the world. Alternatively, it could prevent access to the video and return the following error message:

“Whoops, something went wrong. Streaming error. You seem to be using an unblocker or proxy. Please turn off any of these services and try again.”

If you’re using one of the VPNs we recommend above and still get this message, try the troubleshooting steps below.

Here’s how to bypass the Netflix proxy error:

1. Ask your VPN provider which servers work with Netflix USA.
2. Disable IPv6, especially if you’re on Windows 10 or newer.
3. Log out of Google accounts, including Chrome browser. Google caches IP addresses and can reveal your real location to Netflix.
4. Disable GPS and other location-based services. If you’ve allowed Netflix to see your location in the past, disable this permission in your device and/or browser settings. This will hide your location and force the service to rely on your IP address.
5. Clear browser cache, cookies, and temporary files.
6. Flush your DNS cache. In Windows, open Command Prompt in administrator mode and enter the command:

   ipconfig /flushdns

7. Change your device’s time zone to the country where you’re trying to watch Netflix. The continental US spans UTC -4 to UTC -8.
8. Disconnect and reconnect to the same VPN server location to get a different IP address that isn’t blacklisted by Netflix.

If you are still struggling after trying all that, contact your VPN provider’s customer support team for additional advice.

Methodology: Choosing the best VPNs for streaming Netflix abroad

It’s harder than you might expect to access regional Netflix catalogs outside of their intended countries. Luckily, despite the company’s best efforts, there are still a few major VPNs that can do so reliably. We used the criteria below to separate the best from the rest and identify the top VPNs for watching Netflix US as you travel:

• Suitable servers: We looked for US servers first since these provide the American IP address needed to change the Netflix region from Germany to the US. That said, some of our top VPNs redirect to the US catalog if you use a server from a country whose library it can’t access. This approach is preferable since it means you won’t have to rely on servers that are potentially very far away.
• High speeds: Netflix is one of the few major services that supports 4K streaming. The only issue is that this requires sustained speeds of 25 Mbps or higher. We’ve run hundreds of speed tests and can conclusively say that all of our top VPNs are fast enough for Netflix.
• Powerful security tools: Your security is extremely important, which is why we prioritize VPNs with no-logging policies. We also require them to have 256-bit encryption, protection against IPv6 and DNS leaks, and a kill switch that stops sending data if your connection drops. This is just a baseline, though; additional tools are always welcome.
• Versatility: Our team checked to see whether these VPNs were able to access other content libraries as well as the US one, whether they permitted torrenting, and how well they performed for general web browsing. We also put them up against popular platforms like HBO Max, Sling TV, and YouTube TV to see if they could evade detection consistently.
• Price: We see a lot of VPNs, so it’s extremely obvious if a provider doesn’t have the features to back up its price tag. We’ll only recommend fairly-priced VPNs and will always let you know about deals, discounts, free trials, or money-back guarantees. This way, you’ll pay as little as possible every single time.

Looking to learn more about how we push potential recommendations to their limits? We actually have a post that explains exactly how our team tests VPNs.

Watching Netflix US in Germany: FAQs