How to watch RTL XL

If you have tried to access the RTL XL player while outside of Holland without using a VPN you will have noticed the following error message:

RTL XL Geo Error

“Oh-oh, this video is not allowed to be played. Unfortunately, this video cannot be played in the country where you are.”

RTL Group uses geo-restrictions to prevent anybody from watching RTL XL outside of Holland. It does this to comply with licensing agreements. The good news is that anybody can use a VPN to bypass these blocks and stream Dutch TV abroad.

With a VPN for RTL XL, you can connect to a server in Holland to get a Dutch IP address. This lets you stream RTL XL while on vacation. A VPN also encrypts your internet traffic to give you complete online privacy. This prevents ISPs, local network administrators, Wi-Fi hotspot providers, and government agencies from tracking what you do online.

The privacy a VPN gives you means you can also unblock RTL XL at work – even if it’s blocked! The encryption also prevents hackers from intercepting your data on public Wi-Fi, while also thwarting surveillance capitalism to give you a better online experience.

The only caveat is that few VPNs work with RTL XL. This means that you must pick carefully to avoid wasting your money. In this guide, we recommend VPNs for RTL that actually work – and explain how to use a VPN to stream RTL XL abroad.

How to use a VPN for RTL XL

The tricky part is finding a VPN with Dutch IP addresses that havent been blocked by RTL. Luckily, our VPN reviewers have done the hard work for you. All you must do is choose from the top VPNs for RTL, and follow the steps below to set it up:

Here’s how to watch RTL XL online from anywhere:

  1. Choose a VPN provider from this guide – we recommend NordVPN because it has fast servers in Holland that are highly secure and able to unblock RTL and other streams.
  2. Download and install the VPN software onto your device.
  3. Login to the VPN app and connect to a server in the Netherlands.
  4. Navigate to the RTL XL website, log in, and select the content you want to watch.

The geo-restricted content on RTL XL is available for free, but you do need a subscription. To get one, simply connect to your VPN, provide an email address, enter a password, and login to start streaming.

If you experience any issues, clear your cookies to prevent RTL from detecting your actual IP address. All of our recommendations have live chat support, so you can always ask whether a specific Dutch server is optimized for streaming.

What are the best RTL XL VPNs?

If you are in a rush to watch a show on RTL XL, you can go ahead and pick a VPN recommendation from the quick list below.

  1. NordVPN: Our #1 choice for RTL XL. Lots of servers in the Netherlands and 59 countries. Excellent for accessing geo-restricted content. Apps for all platforms. No logs policy.  Permits torrenting. AES-256 encryption. Super fast NordLynx protocol. 30-day money-back guarantee.
    TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for RTL XL.
  2. Surfshark: Best budget VPN for RTL. Allows an unlimited number of simultaneous connections with a single account. Perfect for families. Low cost. Many advanced privacy features. No logs policy.
  3. ExpressVPNWorks to access RTL XL, Netflix, and much more. User-friendly apps. Superb 24/7 live chat support. A kill-switch and obfuscation. Free Smart DNS service. 30-day money-back guarantee.
  4. CyberGhost: The best RTL XL VPN for beginners. 309 servers in Amsterdam. Fast connections for HD streaming. No logs. AES encryption. Data compression feature. Generous 45-day money back guarantee.
  5. IPVanish: Lets you connect an unlimited number of devices. Tried and tested with RTL XL. No logs policy. Robust encryption and a kill-switch feature. Provides 24/7 support.
  6. PrivateVPN: Super all rounder. Lives up to its name with a no logs policy and military grade encryption. Works with RTL XL, Netflix, and other popular Dutch services. Apps for all platforms.
  7. Hotspot Shield: Lightning fast Hydra VPN protocol. Easy to use. Servers in Holland and 80 countries. No usage logs, but keeps some connection logs.
Get NordVPN - the #1 VPN for RTL XL
Warning

Many VPNs claim to work with RTL XL but most (especially free VPNs) are often blocked.

We regularly test the top 70 VPNs with all major streaming sites and this list only includes VPNs which reliably unblock RTL XL and offer a full money-back guarantee, allowing you to try them risk-free.

WANT TO TRY THE TOP RTL XL VPN RISK FREE?

NordVPN is offering a fully-featured risk-free 30-day trial if you sign up at this page. You can use our #1 VPN for RTL XL with no restrictions for a month—great if you want to stream Dutch TV shows on vacation.

There are no hidden terms—just tell customer support within 30 days if you decide NordVPN isn't right for you and they'll issue a full refund. Start your NordVPN trial here.

The Best VPNs to stream RTL XL abroad

We know that choosing a VPN can be hard work. There are hundreds of VPNs to choose from, and they are often highly deceptive. Many VPNs are slow and have servers incapable of unblocking popular services. Some even lie about the level of protection they provide and have dodgy policies that let them track their users.

To ensure we only recommend trusted services that provide decent security and work to access the service you are interested in, we used the following criteria:

  • Servers in Holland that havent been blocked by RTL XL.
  • Fully featured apps that have the security features you need to gain privacy online.
  • A trustworthy no logs policy that guarantees your online habits remain known only to you.
  • Fast servers that are optimized for streaming, gaming, and torrenting.

To find out more about how our VPN experts test and review VPNs, read our full methodology article! For now, here are mini reviews of the top VPNs for RTL XL. Use these summaries to pick the right VPN for your needs:

1. NordVPN

NordVPN Nov 2024 works with RTL XLTested Nov 2024

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux
  • Background FireTV

Website:  www.NordVPN.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

NordVPN is a provider based in Panama; a location that is rock solid in terms of privacy due to its lack of mandatory data retention directives. The VPN has a no logs policy, which means it never has any record of what its users do while connected.

In addition, this VPN has robust AES encryption, a kill-switch, obfuscated servers, Double VPN, and Tor over VPN. This makes NordVPN one of the most comprehensive privacy tools on the market.

Servers are located in 59 countries, and NordVPN has over 5,200 servers in total. This includes over 200 servers in the Netherlands that have been proven to unblock RTL XL, Ziggo GO, Ketnet, Canvas, Eén, and many more Dutch TV streams. Plus, this VPN works with Netflix, iPlayer, Hulu, HBO Max, and Disney+.

Apps are available for all popular platforms and they come with built in malware prevention and ad blocking. If you have any issues with setting up or using the VPN, you can contact its 24/7 live chat support agents. We found them to be knowledgeable and helpful.

Considering how well-rounded this service is, it is competitively priced – particularly when you commit for a longer period of time. Plus, you can test it risk-free thanks to its 30-day money back guarantee.

Pros:

  • 200+ servers in the Netherlands and over 5,200 worldwide
  • Works with everything from RTL XL to Netflix
  • Excellent speeds for streaming HD content
  • Many advanced features
  • 30-day money back guarantee

Cons:

  • Gathers advertising IDs via mobile apps

Our score:

4.5 out of 5

BEST ALL ROUNDER:NordVPN is fast, reliable, and lets you connect up to 7 devices at once. Super secure. No VPN usage or connection logs. Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Works with Netflix. Servers in Holland.

Read our full NordVPN review.

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2. Surfshark

Surfshark works with RTL XLTested Nov 2024

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website:  www.Surfshark.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

Surfshark is a young VPN provider that has quickly risen to be one of the world’s best VPNs. The VPN is based in the British Virgin Islands, which puts it well out of reach of invasive governments with mandatory data retention laws and overreaching intelligence agencies. Plus, this is a no logs VPN that you can trust to provide watertight privacy for your online habits.

Apps are available for all platforms, and they come with advanced features like a kill-switch, obfuscation, DNS leak protection, and robust AES encryption via the OpenVPN protocol. Plus this VPN is super fast thanks to its implementation of WireGuard connections. It even includes malware protections and ad blocking in its apps, and throws in a free Smart DNS service.

Surfshark has servers in over 60 countries, this includes servers in Holland to stream RTL XL and other popular services. In addition, this VPN is one of the few that works with Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, Player, and other sought-after international services.

For those who have issues, setting up or using the VPN, live chat is available 24/7. Finally, you can use this VPN on an unlimited number of devices which makes it ideal for families. 30-day money back guarantee.

Pros:

  • Reliable apps for all platforms
  • Fastest VPN in our latest tests
  • No logs policy, Kill-switch, and obfuscation
  • Servers in 60+ countries, including the Netherlands
  • 30-day money back guarantee

Cons:

  • Some servers are faster than others

Our score:

4.5 out of 5

BEST BUDGET VPN FOR RTL XL:Allows an unlimited number of connections. Easy to use. Amazing value for money. Plenty of advanced features. Works to stream RTL XL and Netflix. Free Smart DNS service. 30-day money back guarantee.

Read our full Surfshark review.

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3. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN works with RTL XLTested Nov 2024

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website:  www.ExpressVPN.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

ExpressVPN is a world-class service that is widely considered one of the best VPNs in the world. The provider has over 3000 servers located in 94 countries, perfect for bypassing geo-restrictions and online censorship. Its servers in Holland work to stream RTL XL, NPO, AT5, and more. Plus, this VPN is known to work alongside Hulu, Netflix, Ziggo GO, iPlayer, and more.

Apps are available for all platforms, and they come with all the features you need to keep your online habits private at home and on public Wi-Fi. Robust AES encryption and self-hosted DNS resolvers mean you can use this VPN to access RTL at work, and nobody will ever find out. Plus, this VPN protects you against government snooping, and hackers on public Wi-Fi.

You can also use this VPN for torrenting, and it has a kill-switch to protect your privacy in case the VPN connection drops out. It also has a free Smart DNS feature. If you have any issues setting up or using any of the VPN’s features, you can contact its 24/7 live chat support.

Perhaps the only drawback is that this VPN is a little more expensive than its closest competitors. That said, you do get what you pay for, which is a reliable and fast VPN that provides high levels of accessibility. If you are interested, you can compare it to other options using its no-quibbles 30-day money back guarantee.

Pros:

  • Superb speeds for streaming in HD
  • Watertight privacy policy stores only aggregated info
  • DNS leak protection, kill-switch, and obfuscation
  • Massive server network in 94 countries
  • 30-day money back guarantee

Cons:

  • Pretty expensive option

Our score:

4 out of 5

SECURE AND VERSATILE:No logs VPN with strong AES encryption. Easy to use. Plenty of advanced features, including obfuscation and a kill-switch. Securely accesses Dutch TV platforms, Netflix, and more. No logs policy. 30-day money back guarantee.

Read our full ExpressVPN review.

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4. CyberGhost

CyberGhost work with RTL XLTested Nov 2024

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website:  www.Cyberghost.com

Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS

CyberGhost is a VPN based in Romania that provides an excellent all-round service at a great price. The VPN has apps for all popular platforms, including browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox. Those apps are uncluttered and easy to use, which makes this VPN the perfect option for beginners who only need a VPN’s primary features.

The VPN has a no logs policy to ensure that what you do online always remains private both now and in the future. Data security is provided via the OpenVPN protocol using military grade AES-256 encryption. A kill switch ensures that you never accidentally leak data outside of the tunnel, and torrenting is permitted throughout its network of servers in nearly 90 countries.

Servers located in the Netherlands are fast and were able to unblock RTL XL and other services in our tests. Plus, this VPN manages to work alongside a choice of popular services from around the world, which makes it a great all rounder.

For those who have issues using this simple VPN, live chat support is available 24/7. And the VPN has set up guides to use the VPN on many devices, including smart TVs, consoles, and set top boxes, to name a few. You can use the VPN on upto 7 devices simultaneously, and test it yourself thanks to its 45-day money back guarantee.

Pros:

  • 300+ secure servers in Amsterdam
  • Unlimited bandwidth to stream in HD
  • 24/7 live chat support
  • Includes a 45-day money-back guarantee
  • Has Amazon TV and Fire Stick apps

Cons:

  • No apps for Linux or routers
  • Fewer advanced features than many competitors

Our score:

4.5 out of 5

PERFECT FOR BEGINNERS:Consistent speeds. Fantastic reliability and accessibility. 309 servers in Holland. No logs policy. Based in Romania. Use on up to 7 devices. Works with Netflix. Includes a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full CyberGhost review.

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5. IPVanish

IPVanish works with rtl xlTested Nov 2024

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website:  www.IPVanish.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

This is a US-based VPN that provides superb speeds thanks to its proprietary network of servers in over 50 countries. This includes 68 servers in the Netherlands that work perfectly to stream RTL XL. Plus, this VPN works with Netflix US. However, it is not the best VPN for streaming BBC iPlayer or Hulu, so if a reliable streaming VPN for international content is important to you, it is worth looking elsewhere.

Apps are available for all platforms, and the VPN has advanced features including a kill-switch and XOR obfuscation. It also has a no logs policy, which means it will never have anything to hand over to the authorities, even if it is approached with a warrant. This VPN permits torrenting throughout its network, which makes it a great all-rounder. If you have issues, you can contact the VPN’s 24/7 live chat support.

In our tests, we found the VPN easy to use, and it has apps and guides for using that software on all popular platforms. A great all-rounder that you can test yourself using its 30-day money back guarantee. Best of all, you can use this VPN on an unlimited number of devices with a single subscription, which makes it excellent for anybody who owns many devices, or who wants to share their VPN with family members.

Pros:

  • Connect an unlimited number of devices simultaneously
  • Great speeds for streaming in HD
  • Fully featured apps with a kill-switch
  • No logs policy
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

Cons:

  • Based in the US

Our score:

4.5 out of 5

CONNECT ALL YOUR DEVICES:IPVanish is perfect for families who need a VPN on many devices. Fast connection speeds. Reliable AES-256 encryption. Plenty of servers in the Netherlands to stream RTL. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full IPVanish review.

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6. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN works with rtl xlTested Nov 2024

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website:  www.PrivateVPN.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

PrivateVPN lives up to its name thanks to secure apps and a trustworthy no logs policy. The VPN was set up with the support of activists who support people’s right to torrent. With that in mind, this VPN is optimized for P2P connections and permits torrenting throughout its network.

Apps are available for all popular platforms, and those apps have plenty of advanced features to give you online privacy and data security. This includes robust encryption, a kill-switch, and obfuscation. In our tests, the VPN was both easy to use – and fast – making it a great option for streaming. Plus, this VPN works with over a dozen Netflix regions, iPlayer, and other popular services.

Servers are located in 63 countries, and it has IP addresses in the Netherlands to let you easily stream RTL XL and other Dutch streaming platforms while on vacation. We found PrivateVPN extremely easy to use both on desktops and mobile devices. However, if anybody does have issues they can easily get help thanks to its live chat support.

Perhaps the only drawback is that this VPN’s live chat is not available 24/7. That said, you can always get help via email if the live chat is unavailable for a short while. Finally, this VPN represents excellent value for money when you subscribe for a longer period of time. You can test it using its 30-day money back guarantee.

Pros:

  • Fast servers and unlimited bandwidth
  • Easy-to-use apps for beginners
  • Zero logs policy
  • Strong AES encryption
  • Fully featured apps

Cons:

  • Fewer servers in each location compared to competitors
  • Live chat support not 24/7

Our score:

4.5 out of 5

GREAT FOR STREAMING:PrivateVPN has fast servers that are perfect for HD streaming. Allows torrenting. Works with Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and other popular services. Servers in the Netherlands. Lie what support during European hours. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

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7. Hotspot Shield

Hotspot Shield works with rtl xlTested Nov 2024

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website:  www.Hotspotshield.com

Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS

Editor’s Note: Hotspot Shield is owned by Pango, Comparitech’s parent company.

Hotspot Shield is a US-based VPN that sneaks into this list due to its proprietary VPN protocol, and fast server network located in over 80 countries. The Catapult Hydra protocol allows this VPN to provide exceptional fast speeds, which makes it a great option for streaming HD content, torrenting, gaming, making video calls, and other data intensive tasks.

Despite being based in the US, this VPN keeps no usage logs which means it never tracks what you do while connected. That said, it does keep some connection logs. So if a true no-logs VPN is what you want, you may want to look elsewhere depending on your personal threat model.

The good news is that this VPN has a kill-switch in all its apps, which makes it good for torrenting and other sensitive tasks. During our tests, this VPN worked alongside Netflix, iPlayer, and Dutch TV platforms. If you have any questions about using the VPN to stream, you can always contact its 24/7 live chat support.

Perhaps the only drawback is that a premium Hotspot Shield account is quite expensive. However, you can reduce your costs substantially by using our link to get a discount. A superb VPN for streaming that you can test risk free using its generous 45-day money back guarantee.

Pros:

  • Fast servers in Holland to stream RTL XL
  • Global server network in 80+ countries
  • Lightning-fast Catapult Hydra protocol
  • Easy to use on all platforms
  • No usage logs

Cons:

  • Based in the US
  • Some connection logs

Our score:

4.5 out of 5

SERVERS IN 80+ COUNTRIES:Works to access popular Dutch services, including RTL, Ketnet, Canvas, and Eén. 24/7 support. Superfast Catapult Hydra protocol. Fully featured apps with robust security, including encryption and automatic Wi-Fi protection. 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Hotspot Shield review

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Streaming RTL XL Abroad FAQ

Can I use a free VPN for RTL XL?

Although there are some free VPNs on the market, we generally recommend against using them. Free VPNs have few servers and many users, this leads to impossible levels of congestion. This makes the VPN useless for streaming and other data-intensive tasks.

Even if you find a free VPN that has less congestion, it is unlikely to have servers in the Netherlands. In fact, during our search, we were completely unable to find a free VPN with servers in Holland that work with Dutch TV platforms.

In addition to being unsuitable for streaming due to server congestion, free VPNs actually throttle their users and implement monthly download limits. This prevents you from using the VPN more than a nominal amount, which isn’t suitable for streaming TV content and movies online.

Worst of all, free VPN services have been found to have incredibly dodgy privacy policies that allow them to track what you do while connected, to harvest your data, and sell it to third parties. This results in advertising, and your data being disseminated to marketing companies, data brokers, and other unwanted third parties.

In addition, studies have revealed that free VPNs often lie about the level of protection they provide. They have even been found to have apps that contain spyware, or vulnerabilities that cause leaks and make the VPN useless for privacy purposes. This makes using free VPNs a massive risk, and is the biggest reason for avoiding them.

What can I stream on RTL XL with a VPN?

As soon as you connect to a VPN and gain an IP address in the Netherlands you can log in and watch RTL content for free. RTL XL shows replays of recently aired shows from various RTL channels (RTL4, RTL5, RTL7, RTL8, and RTLZ). This includes both Dutch content and international series.

Below we have included a list of shows that are currently available to stream:

  • The bold and the beautiful
  • War in the kitchen (USA)
  • Good time bad times
  • RTL Boulevard
  • Jinek
  • Expedition Robinson
  • Buy without looking
  • RTL News

Why does RTL XL block me outside of Holland?

As with all other broadcasters that have online streaming players, RTL is bound by the licensing contracts it enters into with copyright holders. This prevents it from being able to stream its content anywhere but Holland.

When you visit the RTL XL website, it can automatically detect your location using your home IP address. If you go on vacation, your IP address is no longer valid because it is not located in the Netherlands.

By using a VPN, you can connect to a server in Holland. This allows you to conceal the fact that you are no longer in Holland. The VPN connection gives you a Dutch IP address, which makes it seem like you are allowed to stream RTL and other Dutch TV channels.

Can I stream RTL XL at work or in school with a VPN?

Yes. If you are currently attached to a Wi-Fi network that has blocked RTL, you can easily bypass those restrictions by using a VPN. A VPN allows you to use the internet without restrictions, which means that you can stream RTL as if you were back home on your sofa.

Best of all, the privacy provided by a VPN ensures that the local network administrator will not be able to detect that you are bypassing the network restrictions. This means you can stream RTL at work without fear that you might get in trouble.

This makes a VPN a useful tool for watching RTL and other Dutch TV streaming platforms not just while traveling abroad, but also within the Netherlands itself.

What else can I do with a VPN for RTL XL?

A VPN is a highly versatile tool that anybody can use to gain added privacy and freedom online. Below, we have included a list of useful things you can do with a VPN:

  • Watch Dutch TV platforms like NPO, Ketnet, Canvas, Eén, Nos, NLZiet, AT5, Videoland, and Ziggo GO while on vacation
  • Bypass internet blocks and geo-restrictions
  • Circumvent censorship imposed by the government
  • Use the internet without being tracked by the websites you visit
  • Use public Wi-Fi without fear of hacking
  • Stop ISP snooping and prevent mandatory data retention
  • Access international platforms like Hulu, iPlayer, Disney+, Youtube TV, and Netflix