How to get a German IP address with a VPN in 2024

Traversing the digital landscape with geographical restrictions can be a hassle. Picture yourself as a German expat, longing for a piece of home, and then discovering you can’t access your Deutsche Bank account or enjoy your favorite shows on ARD Mediathek. We understand that it’s a frustrating situation. But with a VPN, you can find comfort in the fact that you can seamlessly access familiar platforms, no matter where you are.

After extensive research and testing, we’ve discovered the ultimate solution to your digital woes: a Virtual Private Network (VPN). This powerful tool not only masks your IP address but also encrypts every bit of data flowing to and from your device. By rerouting your connection through a secure intermediary German server, you can enjoy a seamless online experience, positioning yourself right in the heart of Germany, no matter where you are in the world.

Are you pressed for time? Discover the best VPNs to secure that German IP address instantly:

Best VPNs for a German IP Address:

1. NordVPN: Our top pick for getting a German IP address. A blazing fast, reliable VPN with excellent security credentials, a no-logs policy, and a low price. Works great with German streaming services and includes a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for Germany.
2. Surfshark: A great budget choice. Fast and versatile, this VPN excels at unblocking German TV channels like ARD and Netflix Germany abroad. Strong focus on security. Unlimited simultaneous connections.
3. IPVanish: This privacy-focused provider lets you secure any number of devices, provides consistently high speeds, and has more than 50 servers in Germany.
4. ExpressVPN: This premium VPN has plenty of privacy features and good connection speeds. It unblocks all kinds of content and has thousands of servers around the world.
5. CyberGhost: A quick and reliable VPN that’s very easy to use. Hundreds of German VPN servers to choose from. Unblocks major streaming services and delivers comprehensive security.
6. ProtonVPN: Great VPN for tech-savvy users. Servers in over 112+ countries, including Germany. Allows 10 devices. 24/7 live chat support.
7. PureVPN: Great value way to get a German IP address. Easy to use, private and secure. Large device allowance and permits torrenting.
8. Hotspot Shield: This user-friendly VPN offers speedy servers, strong security, and the ability to unblock all kinds of streaming services abroad.
9. PrivateVPN: Wide range of security features. Keeps no logs and boasts exceptional unblocking capabilities. Allows port forwarding and works in China.

How to get a German IP address

Even if you’ve never used a VPN before, they are very easy to set up. Follow our proven step-by-step instructions below.

Here’s how to get a German IP address from anywhere:

1. The first thing you need to do is sign up for a VPN. The software will open up a range of server locations. You can select one from Germany to make it appear that you’re accessing the web from there, too. We recommend NordVPN.
2. Register for the service and proceed to download the VPN software or app.
3. Log in to the VPN provider app or desktop client.
4. Click on a server location in Germany. After a connection is successfully established, you’ll now be in possession of a German IP address.
5. Try accessing content like Netflix Germany or Deutsche Bank. If you’re having any issues, clear your cookies and try again—sometimes, stored cookies can still show your real IP address.

How we selected the top VPNs for a German IP

Even if you’re in the US, France, the UK, Canada, Australia, India, Singapore, Thailand, or elsewhere, using a VPN can help you get an IP address from Germany. Our list of the most efficient German IP address VPNs was complied based on tests in the following areas:

• Speed: We carried out multiple speed tests while connected to each provider’s German servers. Those deemed to be too slow were rejected.
• Server availability: We checked that providers were able to offer uncongested servers in Germany and as many other countries as possible.
• Streaming: We measured each VPN’s streaming prowess using 10 different metrics. These covered everything from platform compatibility through to the existence of pro-streaming tools like smart DNS.
• Security and privacy: To find you the best VPNs for keeping you safe while using a German IP address, we evaluated providers on 16 different security and privacy metrics. We only recommended those that scored highly.
• Ease of use: We wanted to make getting a German IP address as easy as possible, which is why we evaluated each service using 10 different ease-of-use criteria.

If you’d like to see the test results and learn more about the testing process itself, check out the methodology section later in the article.

The best VPN to get a German IP address – Our hands-on review

We’ve tested and compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for getting a German IP.

Video instructions for obtaining a German IP address

You can check your current IP address location and country here.

Best VPNs to get a German IP Address

From our real-world experience, here’s our list of the best VPNs to get a German IP:

1. NordVPN

Jan 2025

NordVPN is our top pick for a German IP address. It has been in the business for over a decade but never fails to impress, beating out most of its rivals when it comes to performance and speed.

As you can see from the test results below, its German servers were extremely quick.

NordVPN averaged 217.92 Mbps overall, which was more than 40 Mbps faster than the combined average speed of the other tested providers.

NordVPN has several specialty server types including double VPN, Onion over VPN, or P2P-optimized. It offers more than 6,200 servers spread across 113 countries, with more than 240 of these in Germany alone.

Encryption standards are considered to be top-tier. The service uses the 256-bit AES protocol by default coupled with 2,048-bit SSL keys. DNS, WebRTC, and IPv6 leak protection is enabled. NordVPN is a completely logless VPN service and recently launched its own WireGuard-based protocol named NordLynx.

Apps are available for Android, iOS, Linux, Windows, and MacOS. Alternatively, you can manually configure this service for use on supported routers.

BEST VPN FOR GERMANY:NordVPN is our first choice for getting a German IP address. This no-logs VPN boasts superfast speeds, a ten-connection allowance, and an impressive security offering. Plans include a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Here’s our full review of NordVPN.

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2. Surfshark

Surfshark is a low-cost, speedy VPN offering access to over 3,200 servers in 100+ countries (Germany included). This service works exceptionally well with streaming services, allowing you to live stream German TV channels like ARD and ZDF (plus more than 30 Netflix libraries), wherever you are in the world. To sweeten the deal even further, it allows you to connect as many devices as you like.

Speed-wise, the provider was the fastest we tested. It’s average download speed of 233.2 Mbps was only 16.8 Mbps slower than our base connection speed of 250 Mbps, which is an excellent result.

We were pleased to see so many security features included. To begin with, there’s 256-bit encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a customizable kill switch. However, this VPN also includes automatic malware-scanning and ad-blocking, plus a NoBorders mode for bypassing country-wide restrictions. Equally important, Surfshark doesn’t keep any logs. If you need help, you can contact support staff via 24/7 live chat.

Apps are available for Android, iOS, Windows, Linux, and MacOS. It’s also possible to manually configure this service for use with supported home routers.

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark offers superb speeds and excellent unblocking capabilities without compromising on security. What’s more, it keeps no logs, comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, and has no connection limit.

Read our full review of Surfshark.

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3. IPVanish

IPVanish is an excellent choice for users who benefits from impressive speeds and hardy encryption protocols. It offers more than 2,400 servers spread across dozens of countries. There are about 71 German servers in total, as well as plenty of options in neighboring countries.

We tested IPVanish’s German servers multiple times to find out how fast they were. You can see the results below.

The provider was impressively fast, with an overall average download speed of 215.05 Mbps. This makes it suitable for interruption-free streaming and gaming. 

Encryption standards are top-tier. IPVanish uses 256-bit encryption on the OpenVPN protocol by default (with WireGuard support slated for release in the near future), SHA512 authentication, and a DHE-RSA 2,048-bit key exchange with perfect forward secrecy. Other than when an account is registered for the first time, IPVanish doesn’t keep any logs, which will please privacy advocates.

Apps are available for Android, iOS, Windows, and MacOS. Plans allow unlimited simultaneous device connections and start from as little as $2.19 a month. If you opt for the slightly more expensive Advanced plan you get a sandboxed secure browser and 1TB of cloud storage too.

UNLIMITED CONNECTIONS: which means you can get a German IP address on all of your devices at once. Also boasts powerful security features, a no-logs policy, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of IPVanish.

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4. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN operates a large network of servers with options in Germany and more spread across Europe and North America. This provider is known for its consistent speeds and impressive ability to unblock geo-restricted content.

To find out what sort of speeds users might expect while connected to its German servers, we carried out several tests over the course of day.

ExpressVPN was fast throughout, with an average download speed of 186.96 Mbps. This makes it suitable for a range of tasks, whether that’s placing video calls or streaming in 4K.

ExpressVPN incorporates military-grade encryption protocols, and thanks to its new Lightway protocol, doesn’t force you to compromise on speed. It leverages 256-bit AES, perfect forward secrecy, and an internet kill switch to keep you safe online. The company doesn’t store any detailed traffic logs on its servers. It does, however, retain a small amount of anonymous metadata to improve the quality of the service.

ExpressVPN offers apps for Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. Further, its newly updated router app is easier than ever to install.

WELL-BALANCED VPN:ExpressVPN is fast enough for uninterrupted streaming, boasts plenty of powerful security features, and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Here’s our in-depth review of ExpressVPN.

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5. CyberGhost

CyberGhost will appeal to beginner users on a budget. The service is fast, intuitive, and ships with an ever-expanding list of server locations. At the time of writing, there are more than 10,000 servers online with around 900 of them based in Germany.

If you’re looking to stream German content, CyberGhost is an excellent choice. That’s because it has specific servers for 7TV, ARD, and Netflix Germany.

We tested the provider’s speeds while connected to its servers in Germany. You can see the results in the chart below.

Speeds were consistently quick, with an average download speed of 184.13 Mbps. This is more than fast enough for most people using a German IP address.

All traffic is secured by 256-bit AES encryption on the OpenVPN protocol by default (although recent versions added WireGuard support). An internet kill switch is included and can not be turned off. Additional security features include an ad blocker, anti-malware defense, and anti-tracking. CyberGhost is based in Romania and, hence not subject to any mandatory data retention laws. Consequently, this service doesn’t keep any logs that could be used to identify you.

Apps are available for Linux, Android, iOS, Windows, and MacOS. This VPN also provides manual setup instructions for supported home routers.

GREAT FOR BEGINNERS:CyberGhost makes it easy to get a German IP address abroad. Its 900+ speedy German servers provide exceptional security and unblock all kinds of content. There’s even a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Here’s our extensive CyberGhost review.

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6. ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN is a Swiss-based VPN that is popular due to its strong privacy policy and dedication to user privacy. The VPN has apps for all popular platforms that feature AES encryption, a kill switch, and a variety of protocols, along with advanced options such as obfuscation, multi-hop connections, and Tor over VPN.

Thanks to its robust encryption and strict no-logging policy, ProtonVPN is effective for obtaining a German IP address while ensuring complete online privacy. This makes it suitable for bypassing wi-fi restrictions at work without being monitored.

ProtonVPN’s performance is impressive because of its WireGuard implementation. In our tests, the provider averaged 194.15 Mbps, making it one of the faster VPNs available.

The VPN could access many popular German streaming services. This includes Netflix Germany, ZDF, ARD, Joyn, RTL Now, ProSieben, and other local platforms from abroad or on restrictive networks such as at work. It can also access major international services from the US, such as Hulu and HBO Max, and the UK, such as iPlayer.

The VPN’s advanced features are ideal for users in regions with stringent internet censorship. This makes it a solid option if you must travel from Germany to the UAE, Saudi, Egypt, or anywhere else that enforces strict censorship or blocks VoIP services. Plus, it has split tunneling and port forwarding, which makes it great for seeding torrents.

Live chat support is available in the members’ area, ensuring you can always get help. It also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to test it yourself to get an IP address in Germany.

FULLY FEATURED:ProtonVPN caters to tech-savvy users. It is ideal for torrenting and gaining watertight online privacy. Servers are available in over 117+ countries, including Germany. It’s ideal for bypassing restrictions to watch German TV abroad. 24/7 live chat support is available on its website. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Find out more in our ProtonVPN review.

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7. PureVPN

PureVPN is a cost-effective and dependable VPN for those seeking a German IP address. With subscriptions starting at just US$1.96 per month, it’s a budget-friendly option for accessing popular German streaming services like Zattoo, Joyn, ProSieben, Netflix Germany, and other local services from overseas. A German IP is also handy for circumventing workplace restrictions or accessing German Google search results from abroad.

The VPN’s performance is enhanced by its excellent WireGuard implementation. We tested its speeds while connected to the provider’s German servers. You can see the results in the chart below.

PureVPN’s average download speed was 177.62 Mbps, which makes it ideal for streaming, gaming, torrenting, and private video calls.

With PureVPN, users can be assured that everything they do while connected to a German IP address remains confidential, thanks to its audited no-logs policy.

PureVPN offers apps for various platforms, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux. These apps feature a verified no-logging policy, a kill switch, AES encryption, and DNS leak prevention. These make it reliable for gaining online privacy at home, work, or on public wi-fi.

Besides accessing German content, PureVPN is also effective for watching international platforms like Netflix US, Hulu, HBO Max, ESPN, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and content from many other countries.

For those interested in torrenting, PureVPN includes a port forwarding feature, although it’s worth noting that this is an optional add-on that costs a little extra. The live chat support is a bit slow. However, all things considered, this is an impressive low-cost VPN you can test using its 31-day money-back guarantee.

AMAZING VALUE:PureVPN offers one of the cheapest and most reliable ways to get a German IP address. It is easy to use and comes with everything you need to gain watertight online privacy and security, including AES encryption and a kill switch. Torrenting is permitted throughout its network. 31-day money-back guarantee lets you test it yourself.

Find out more in our PureVPN review.

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8. Hotspot Shield

Hotspot Shield has around 1,800 servers in 80+ countries, so you should have plenty of choice when it comes to German servers. This VPN prioritizes ease of use, with cleanly-designed apps and an intuitive interface.

To find out how fast Hotspot Shield’s German servers were, we carried out several speed tests while connected.

Speeds were a little variable but generally fast overall. Hotspot Shield’s average speed of 136.97 Mbps mean we could stream in high resolution without issue. The provider worked with a range of streaming services, including ARD, Netflix Germany, and Disney+.

Hotspot Shield is exceptionally strong on security too, boasting 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks. Users can even enable automatic wi-fi protection, which connects to the VPN whenever you use an unsecured network. Newer versions of the app offers IKEv2 support too. Hotspot Shield doesn’t store any identifiable logs and provides 24/7 support.

Hotspot Shield has apps for MacOS, Windows, Linux, Android, and iOS. Manual installation is required for home routers.

GREAT FOR GERMAN TV:Hotspot Shield is quick and reliable, with high-speed servers and a strong security focus. Not only that, but it works with all manner of services including Netflix DE and ARD. There’s even a 45-day money-back guarantee!

Check out our full Hotspot Shield review.

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9. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN has around 200 servers in 63 countries including Germany. This is a bit lower than the other providers we’ve recommended, but it should still do the job. On the plus side, PrivateVPN is very secure and renowned for its ability to unblock popular streaming services.

To find out how fast it was, we carried out several speed tests while connected to its servers in Germany.

PrivateVPN averaged 80.58 Mbps overall. This was slower than the other providers we tested, but still fast enough for smooth streaming — unless you have a slow connection to begin with (for reference, ours was 250 Mbps).

This provider acts as its own ISP and hosting provider, which means that it has complete control over your data. This is a huge bonus from a privacy standpoint. The apps include 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, leak protection, and a stealth mode for bypassing stubborn VPN-detection measures. Notably, PrivateVPN is a completely logless service.

Apps are available for Android, iOS, Windows, Linux, and MacOS. This VPN can be manually installed on a wide range of network routers.

VERY HIGH SPEEDS:PrivateVPN offers powerful security features and effective obfuscation. It unblocks plenty of German streaming platforms with ease. Additionally, it offers a zero-logs policy and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Here’s our review of PrivateVPN.

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Our Methodology: Finding the best VPNs for a German IP address

Unfortunately, you can’t just use the first VPN you see. Each provider differs in terms of speed, security, and server scale, for instance. Some might not even offer servers in Germany at all! To make sure that we only recommend the best possible VPNs for the task at hand, we only recommend those that perform well in the following areas.

Server availability

To get you the largest range of IP addresses (in Germany and other countries) we scored VPNs on the number of German server locations they had, and then on the number of countries they supported. We used a combined score to compare providers.

NordVPN scored highest in terms of availabilty. With servers in three German locations as well as servers in another 112 countries, it has an almost endless supply of IP addresses available. CyberGhost also scores highly for its three German server locations and support for an additional 99 countries.

Speed

Slow speeds lead to laggy streams and websites that fail to load properly. To ensure this doesn’t happen to you when using a German IP address, we tested each provider’s German servers multiple times over the course of a day.

Speed measurements were taken using the desktop version of the Ookla speed-testing app. This was installed on a virtual machine which we’d rate-limited to 250 Mbps. This figure is the median average of fixed broadband speeds in the US, and using it enables us to get an idea of the average user’s experience with each provider.

Surfshark’s German servers were the fastest overall, with a highly impressive average speed of 233.2 Mbps. NordVPN and IPVanish were also notably quick. We’d recommend all three to anyone who wants to make the most of their base connection speed while using a VPN.

Streaming

We test VPNs with a wide range of streaming services (including Netflix, Disney+, and HBO Max) to see just how well they work. Providers are also evaluated on other streaming-related criteria, as shown below.

We scored providers on each of these criteria, and then combined the scores to give a overall score out of 10 for comparison.

NordVPN, Surfshark and ExpressVPN scored equally highly in this department. All three excel at accessing stubborn streaming platforms and come with useful extras such as a smart DNS service.

Security and privacy

You have to be able to browse and stream safely. For this reason, our recommended VPNs must include 256-bit encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, a kill switch, and a no-logs policy. You can see which providers meet additional security and privacy criteria below.

Each of these criteria was given a score, which we combined to create an overall score out of ten. This makes it easier to directly compare providers.

NordVPN and Surfshark scored highest, thanks to a combination of strong encryption, anonymous payment options, and obfuscation that works in China. ProtonVPN is a great alternative.

Ease of use

Security should be available to all, which is why we prefer VPNs that are easy enough for beginners to use. As you can see in the table below, when evaluating providers, we consider the entire service rather than just the software.

We assigned a score to each of the above metrics so that we were left with an overall score out of ten. This makes it easier to directly compare providers.

NordVPN was the easiest to use provider overall, with cleverly designed apps and a straightforward onboarding and offboarding process. IPVanish and ExpressVPN are are also particularly user-friendly.

Can I use a free VPN to obtain a German IP address?

When you sign up for a VPN, you want to be assured that your digital footprint is hidden and secure. Free VPN services exist in abundance across the interwebs, and they’re heavily advertised to boot. But such providers won’t come with the customizable options that are a hallmark of paid services.

In our extensive testing, we’ve found that free VPNs only offer a small choice of servers, incorporate weak encryption standards, engage in bandwidth throttling, and, in some cases, unethically mine your data to sell to third-party advertisers. You might get lucky and be able to connect to a German server, but your experience will definitely be sub-par.

Such services aren’t charities, and they’re looking to make money. When they offer their product for free, you should be aware that there’s definitely a catch. Some will inundate you with migraine-inducing popup advertisements, while others might constantly pester you to upgrade to a premium (read: paid) plan. The most unethical ones will track your browsing history and sell your profile to advertisers.

Overall, it’s in your best interests to invest a few dollars and obtain a paid VPN service. It’ll give you peace of mind.

Why do I need a German IP address?

Advocacy body Freedom House awards Germany’s internet landscape a “free” status, noting that “open discussions about controversial developments are possible and frequent, and involve a wide range of stakeholders.” It adds that an “independent court system plays its part in checking measures by the executive and the legislature.”

German state authorities don’t impose blockades on content or practice other forms of internet filtration. The web is uncensored, free, and accessible to all. Some exceptions to this rule are the application of copyright laws; torrenting copyrighted material is considered illegal in the country, and YouTube has also blocked some videos in Germany so as not to fall afoul of state policies.

If your aim is to access the free, unfettered web, then it’s a good idea to obtain a German IP address. This could be particularly useful for netizens in countries such as Iran, China, and Russia where state authorities work around the clock to monitor and block content.

For German residents traveling abroad, a VPN will help you stay in touch with local content from back home such as DW, Zattoo, and MySpass. It’ll also help you stream the latest Bundesliga matches. If you’re looking for more German content, Streema has a comprehensive list of online German channels. Some are free to stream, while others require that you sign in with a username and password.

What are the other methods to obtain a German IP address?

Tor Browser

For extremely cash-strapped users there’s always the option of downloading the Tor browser. It’s borne out of the Tor project, which aims to guard against network surveillance and violation of confidential business relationships and privacy.

The Tor browser is free and incorporates sophisticated encryption and anonymity standards. It’s popular with journalists, human rights activists, and whistleblowers as it allows them to hide their identity for free.

But Tor isn’t a great option if you’re looking to acquire a German IP address in order to engage in financial transactions or video streaming. Speeds are extremely buggy and slow. You can still choose to get a German IP address with Tor if you so desire and this guide will break it down in more detail.

Proxy servers

Another option is to engage a free proxy server. However, this is similar to how free VPNs operate with download caps and egregious privacy policies. Most streaming providers like Netflix have started to block proxies, and there’s a high chance of them not working the way you want them to anyway.

The major problem, however, is those proxy servers won’t encrypt your traffic the way a VPN does, so you’re leaving yourself susceptible to online monitoring by an ISP or other snoopers. The proxy provider itself could also monitor your online behavior.

What native streaming services are available in Germany?

Germany offers a boat-load of native streaming services, each designed to cater to a variety of tastes. Public broadcasting services like ARD, ZDF, 3sat, arte.tv, Phoenix, and ZDFinfo provide a wide range of free content, including movies, TV shows, documentaries, and news. These services, funded through the mandatory TV license fee in Germany, offer a convenient and diverse selection for your viewing pleasure.

For those seeking commercial streaming options, Joyn and RTL+ are popular choices. Joyn, owned by ProSiebenSat.1 Media and Discovery Inc., and RTL+, owned by RTL Group, offer ad-supported streaming with live TV channels, catch-up content, and exclusive original programming. The variety of content available on these platforms is sure to keep you intrigued. They are also subscription-based services like Maxdome and Sky Ticket.

German IP address FAQs