The 6 Best VPNs for Europe in 2024: Paid and Free Servers for Travel to Europe

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Key Takeaways: These Are the Best VPNs for Europe
  1. ExpressVPN — Best VPN for Europe
  2. NordVPN — Secure and fast VPN for browsing in Europe
  3. Surfshark — Affordable VPN for Europe
  4. CyberGhost — User-friendly VPN for Europe
  5. PIA — Secure Europe VPN ideal for torrenting
  6. TunnelBear — Best free VPN for Europe

Facts & Expert Analysis About Europe VPN:

  • Europe, the world’s toast: Europe is the world’s most visited continent, with over 700 million arrivals in 2023. The favorite tourist destinations are Spain, France, Turkey, Italy, and the U.K.1 
  • VPN providers also love Europe: From our experience reviewing over 70 VPNs, we’ve observed that most VPN services have the bulk of their servers in Europe. Some VPNs put up to half of their server networks in Europe. Getting a European IP address shouldn’t be a problem with many VPN providers. 
  • The EU is big on privacy: The EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) governs how companies and organizations manage the information of citizens and residents. The law primarily covers EU citizens, but anyone doing business in the EU must abide by it, including VPNs.

Best VPN for Europe

If you’re heading to Europe, add one of the best VPNs to your packing list. Because of geo-restrictions, you might not be able to access the same libraries of your favorite streaming services from home. Plus, since you’re traveling, you might be forced to use public WiFi networks, exposing you to dangers. Thankfully, the best VPN for Europe can save the day. 

Streaming providers like Netflix have different libraries depending on your location. For instance, some movies on Netflix U.S. are unavailable in European countries. A virtual private network (VPN) can change your location to the U.S., enabling you to watch your favorite shows. A VPN also scrambles your internet activity, making it difficult for malicious actors to track you.

However, not all VPNs are created equal. Our VPN experts have thoroughly tested over 50 travel VPNs to curate this list of the best VPNs for Europe. In this article, we’ll show you how we chose the VPNs and highlight what each one offers.

Show all
Meet the experts

Learn more about our editorial team and our research process.

  • 11/02/2023

    Updated the article to reflect ExpressVPN’s recent increase of 5 simultaneous connections to 8, as well as its expansion of server presence to 105 countries, previously 94.

  • 06/13/2024 Facts checked

    We overhauled this article with a new structure, adding new providers and practical sections. 

  • updates
Cloudwards Editor’s Choice: ExpressVPN

After rigorous tests, our VPN experts agree that ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Europe. We like that each server in its network spanning 105 countries offers optimum performance. From our experience, it works well for streaming, browsing, gaming, torrenting and many other uses. You can try ExpressVPN for free using its 30-day money-back guarantee. 

Editor’s Choice

How to Choose the Best Europe VPN

In choosing the best VPNs for Europe, we considered VPNs with extensive server coverage, security features, unblocking ability and fast speeds. If you want to research a travel VPN yourself, use these pointers to guide you. 

  • Large server network: A good VPN for Europe should have servers on different continents, including Europe. That way, you can change your IP address to access almost any content you want. 
  • Security features: Look for a VPN with critical security features, such as AES or ChaCha20 encryption, the OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols, and a kill switch to help you browse safely. 
  • Unblocking ability: Choose a VPN that can unblock all the major streaming providers without interruptions.
  • Fast speeds: The best VPNs have a negligible impact on your speeds, enabling you to browse, stream and make video calls without lag. 
  • Pricing: Consider VPNs with reasonable pricing plans. Money-back guarantees are also vital to help you test the VPNs. 

The Best Europe VPNs

In the table below, we summarize the main features of the top six VPNs you can use in Europe. Our top pick is ExpressVPN, while NordVPN, Surfshark, CyberGhost, PIA and TunnelBear are handy alternatives. 

Features:
Best ForOverall best VPN for EuropeSecure and fast VPN for browsing in EuropeAffordable VPN for EuropeUser-friendly VPN for EuropeSecure Europe VPN that’s ideal for torrentingBest free VPN for Europe
Servers OverallOver 3,000 servers in 105 countriesOver 6,000 servers in 111 countriesOver 3,200 servers in 100 countriesOver 11,000 servers in 100 countriesOver 35,000 servers in 91 countriesOver 5,000 servers in 47 countries
Servers in EuropeServers in 47 European countriesOver 2,500 servers in 37 European countriesOver 1,500 servers in 46 European countriesOver 7,000 servers in 45 European countriesServers in 46 European countriesServers in 28 European countries
Unblocks Netflix
SpeedFastVery fastFastFastFastSlow
No-Logs Policy
SecurityVery secureVery secureVery secureVery secureVery secureVery secure
Pricing$6.66  per month for 1 year$3.09 per month for 2 years$2.19 per month for 2 years$2.19 per month for 2 years$2.19 per month for 3 years$3.33 per month for 1 year

In the next section, we’ll dig deep into all six best VPNs for Europe. It’s worth mentioning that they all have the essential basic VPN features, such as AES encryption, a kill switch, split tunneling and a strict no-logs policy. 

1. ExpressVPN — Best VPN for Europe

expressvpn europe homepage
ExpressVPN offers many servers in 47 European countries,
including the U.K., Spain and Germany.
Download
90 Mbps
Very Fast
Upload
9 Mbps
Very Fast
Latency
6 ms
Very Fast
Source: Cloudwards VPN Speed Test. We test daily. Data from 05/19/24 to 06/16/24
Data for region: AllUSUKAUBRSASG

Pros:

  • Servers in 47 European countries
  • Excellent streaming performance
  • Fast speeds

Cons:

  • Expensive

ExpressVPN is our first choice VPN for Europe because it’s an all-rounder that excels in every department. First, it has a massive server network in 105 countries, leaving you spoilt for choice if you need to access different content libraries. ExpressVPN offers servers in 47 European countries for those who need a European IP address.  

We named ExpressVPN the best streaming VPN because it can unblock all the major streaming services, from Netflix to BBC iPlayer. Thanks to its fast speeds, you won’t experience buffering wheels or slow loading times, whether you’re streaming live sports or video calling your family. You can also easily set up ExpressVPN on many smart TVs and router models. 

Notes From the Lab: ExpressVPN Unblocking Capability Test Results
Streaming ServiceUnblocked?

As you can see from the table above, ExpressVPN doesn’t miss a beat when unblocking streaming services. Impressively, you don’t have to sift through servers to get access; any server should get you in on the first try. 

Notes From the Lab: ExpressVPN Security Analysis

A secure VPN won’t leak your IP address or DNS servers while you browse. We ran DNS leak tests for ExpressVPN using IPleak.com, and we can confirm that it doesn’t suffer from DNS leaks. Only the VPN’s IP address and DNS servers relating to the new virtual location were displayed.  

expressvpn dns leak test
Our DNS leak test shows ExpressVPN doesn’t suffer from IP or DNS leaks.

ExpressVPN offers secure protocols: OpenVPN, IKEv2 and Lightway. Your protocol is set to “automatic” by default, so ExpressVPN will choose the best one based on your activity. However, you can select Lightway if you want fast speeds for activities that consume lots of bandwidth, like streaming and gaming. OpenVPN is best for a good mix of speed and security. 

Protocol:Encryption Devices Supported
LightwayChaCha20



OpenVPNAES-256


IKEv2AES-256

ExpressVPN offers built-in obfuscation on all servers. Many European countries promote internet freedom and a free press, so this feature might not make much difference. However, obfuscation could be useful for browsing safely in European countries such as Belarus and Hungary, which have a history of internet censorship. 

ExpressVPN Pricing & Value

ExpressVPN’s best deal is the one-year plan, which costs $6.66 per month. This is a bit pricey compared to other VPNs on this list, but ExpressVPN is worth every penny, thanks to its solid features and reliable performance. At $9.99 per month, you can get ExpressVPN for six months. If you just need ExpressVPN for one month, you’ll have to pay $12.95

If you’re unsure about ExpressVPN, you can try it out using its 30-day money-back guarantee. Otherwise, read our full ExpressVPN review to learn more. 

2. NordVPN — Secure and Fast VPN for Browsing in Europe

nordvpn europe homepage
Out of NordVPN’s over 6,300 global servers, more than 2,500 of them are in Europe.
Download
90 Mbps
Very Fast
Upload
9 Mbps
Very Fast
Latency
4 ms
Very Fast
Source: Cloudwards VPN Speed Test. We test daily. Data from 05/19/24 to 06/16/24
Data for region: AllUSUKAUBRSASG

Pros:

  • Very fast
  • Specialized servers
  • 2,500 servers in 37 EU countries

Cons:

  • Server map can be difficult to explore

NordVPN is the next best choice after ExpressVPN for two main reasons: its security features and its speeds. NordVPN is a secure VPN with many handy features, such as a double VPN to encrypt your internet traffic twice and Threat Protection to ward off ads, trackers and malware. This makes NordVPN a safe choice if you use public WiFi in airports, hotels and cafes. 

NordVPN is also the fastest VPN on the market. It boasts very fast download and upload speeds, making it a good choice for streaming movies, watching live sports, downloading large files and uploading content on social media. NordVPN also offers Meshnet, which can help you access your home devices and resources remotely so you can work from Europe. 

Notes From the Lab: NordVPN Unblocking Capability Test Results

In our tests, NordVPN proved to be a reliable VPN for streaming. As summarized in the table below, NordVPN can unblock all the major streaming services, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and BBC iPlayer. 

Streaming ServiceUnblocked?
Notes From the Lab: NordVPN Security Analysis

We checked NordVPN’s security credentials using IPleak.net by connecting to a Canadian server from the Netherlands. The DNS leak test showed that NordVPN won’t leak your original IP address or DNS servers. As you can see from the image below, only NordVPN’s Canadian IP and DNS server were seen. 

nordvpn dns leak test
Our DNS leak tests show that NordVPN doesn’t leak your actual location. 

NordVPN offers multiple protocols, including its proprietary NordLynx protocol. We’ve summarized the key points for each NordVPN protocol below. Use NordLynx if you want fast speeds, OpenVPN for strong security and IKEv2 if your mobile network fluctuates.

Protocol:EncryptionDevices Supported
OpenVPNAES-256



NordLynxChaCha20



IKEv2/IPsecAES-256

NordVPN offers many helpful features that can help you browse safely in Europe, including obfuscated servers to conceal your activities and a dark web monitor to alert you if your information appears on the dark web. 

NordVPN Pricing & Value

NordVPN’s most discounted plan is the two-year plan, which costs $3.09 per month. This is an excellent option if you want a long-term VPN. NordVPN also offers a one-year plan costing $4.59 per month and a monthly plan at $12.99. All these plans are covered by a 30-day refund window. If you want to learn more about NordVPN, read our NordVPN review

Basic
  • *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
  • Unlimited GB
  • 6
  • Yes
Plus
  • *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
  • Unlimited GB
  • 6
  • Yes
Ultimate
  • *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
  • Unlimited GB
  • 6
  • Yes

3. Surfshark — Affordable VPN for Europe

surfshark europe homepage
Nearly half (over 1,500) of Surfshark’s servers are located in Europe. 
Download
94 Mbps
Very Fast
Upload
9 Mbps
Very Fast
Latency
110 ms
Good
Source: Cloudwards VPN Speed Test. We test daily. Data from 05/19/24 to 06/16/24
Data for region: AllUSUKAUBRSASG

Pros:

  • Wallet-friendly pricing
  • 1,500 servers in 44 EU countries
  • Unlimited simultaneous connections

Cons:

  • Expensive monthly plans

We recommend Surfshark if you want a budget-friendly VPN for use in Europe. Its two-year plan is one of the most affordable in the VPN space. Despite being economical, Surfshark doesn’t skimp on features. First, you can change your IP address by picking from over 3,200 servers in 100 countries. About half of those servers are located in European countries. 

Surfshark is also a good choice if you want to access streaming services while in Europe. It has many servers in countries with extensive content libraries on streaming platforms, like the U.S. and the U.K. Surfshark offers fast speeds to help you surf the internet and stream your favorite videos without disruptions, plus infinite VPN connections on a single account.

Notes From the Lab: Surfshark Unblocking Capability Test Results

At Cloudwards, Surfshark is one of our favorite streaming picks because it has a track record of getting into all the major streaming services. In our tests, we’ve never had to try multiple servers to get access, and the streams have always been buffer-free and high-quality. Here’s a glance at the streaming services that Surfshark can unblock. 

Streaming ServiceUnblocked?
Notes From the Lab: Surfshark Security Analysis

To check if Surfshark is as secure as it claims, we connected to a Surfshark server in Boston while in Europe. Afterward, we ran several DNS and IP leak tests using IPleak.net. We are happy to report that Surfshark didn’t suffer any DNS or IP leaks, showing that it can make you anonymous online. 

surfshark dns leak test
DNS leak tests from IPleak.net prove that Surfshark doesn’t
suffer from DNS leaks.

Surfshark’s protocol option is set to “automatic” by default. However, the WireGuard protocol is a trustworthy option for any activity that requires fast speeds. It also has OpenVPN, which offers good security regardless of your device. IKEv2 is built to ensure protection for unstable mobile networks.

The table below shows which encryption cipher each protocol uses and which devices are supported. 

Protocol:EncryptionDevices Supported
OpenVPNAES-256



WireGuardChaCha20



IKEv2/IPsec*AES-256


*Can be set up manually on Windows and Linux

Surfshark has other security features worth mentioning, including CleanWeb for stopping ads, trackers, malware and phishing attempts. It also offers a “camouflage mode,” ensuring that third parties won’t know you’re using a VPN. It works by removing all VPN traces on your traffic so it appears like regular traffic, helping you evade VPN-blocking firewalls. 

Surfshark Pricing & Value

As we already mentioned, Surfshark is a cheap VPN that costs only $2.19 per month on the two-year plan. If you want Surfshark for a year, you’ll pay $2.69 per month, which is one of the most competitive yearly plans on the market. By contrast, at $15.95 per month, Surfshark’s monthly plan is exorbitant. 

You can check out Surfshark using its 30-day money-back guarantee or by reading our Surfshark review.

Surfshark Starter
  • Unlimited GB bandwidth, Unlimited devices, Secure VPN, Ad blocker, Cookie pop-up blocker. Plans renew: $231.75 for one year, $417.15 for two years
  • Unlimited GB
  • Unlimited
  • Yes
Surfshark One
  • Everything in Starter, plus Antivirus protection, Identity protection, Email Breach and Credit Card Alerts, Online Alias Plans renew: $239.25 for one year, $430.65 for two years.
  • Unlimited GB
  • Unlimited
Surfshark One+
  • Everything in One, plus Data removal Plans renew: $269.25 for one year, $404.65 for two years
  • Unlimited GB
  • Unlimited

4. CyberGhost — User-Friendly VPN for Europe

cyberghost europe homepage
CyberGhost boasts over 7,000 servers in Europe. 
Download
75 Mbps
Fast
Upload
9 Mbps
Very Fast
Latency
35 ms
Very Fast
Source: Cloudwards VPN Speed Test. We test daily. Data from 05/19/24 to 06/16/24
Data for region: AllUSUKAUBRSASG

Pros:

  • User-friendly apps
  • 7,000 servers in 56 EU cities
  • 45-day money-back guarantee

Cons:

  • Upload speeds can be slow

Choose CyberGhost if you want a cheap and beginner-friendly VPN to use while vacationing or working on the road in Europe. It has one of the cheapest two-year plans of all the VPNs on this list. Additionally, its apps are intuitive and well organized. All the settings have easy-to-follow descriptors that tell you what they do and how to use them.

CyberGhost also has smart rules that let you automate it to suit your preferences. For instance, you can set CyberGhost to connect to a U.S. server and open Netflix whenever you click “connect,” or have it connect to a server when it detects unsecured WiFi networks. CyberGhost has over 7,000 VPN servers in Europe, so you’ll have no shortage of European IP addresses.

Notes From the Lab: CyberGhost Unblocking Capability Test Results

CyberGhost can unblock all the major streaming services, including Netflix, Disney Plus and Hulu. The table below summarizes CyberGhost’s streaming performance.

Streaming ServiceUnblocked?
Notes From the Lab: CyberGhost Security Analysis

We checked CyberGhost’s ability to hide your online information using IPleak.net. The results showed that CyberGhost didn’t leak our original IP address or DNS requests. 

cyberghost dns leak test
Checks from IPleak.net prove that CyberGhost doesn’t
leak details about your location.

CyberGhost offers three secure protocols: WireGuard, OpenVPN and IKEv2. Multiple protocol options allow you to get the best performance out of your VPN without compromising security. Here’s a breakdown of CyberGhost’s protocols. 

Protocol:EncryptionDevices Supported
WireGuardChaCha20




Fire TV App
OpenVPNAES-256


Fire TV App
IKEv2AES-128

CyberGhost Pricing & Value

CyberGhost’s two-year plan is a cut-price deal that costs only $2.19 per month. Like ExpressVPN, CyberGhost offers a six-month plan that costs $6.99 monthly. For $12.99, you can get CyberGhost for one month. The monthly plan has a 14-day money-back guarantee, while the six-month and two-year plans have a 45-day guarantee.

If you want a detailed breakdown of how CyberGhost performs, read our CyberGhost review.

CyberGhost Plans
  • *The $56.94 price under the 2-year plan is billed yearly after the first two years.
  • Unlimited GB
  • 7
  • Yes

5. Private Internet Access — Secure Europe VPN Ideal for Torrenting

pia europe homepage
PIA has servers in 91 countries worldwide, including 46 European countries.
Download
91 Mbps
Very Fast
Upload
9 Mbps
Very Fast
Latency
3 ms
Very Fast
Source: Cloudwards VPN Speed Test. We test daily. Data from 05/19/24 to 06/16/24
Data for region: AllUSUKAUBRSASG

Pros:

  • Servers in 91 countries, including 46 countries in Europe
  • Cheap three-year plan
  • Unlimited simultaneous connections

Cons:

  • Inconsistent streaming performance

Private Internet Access VPN is worth considering if you’re going to Europe from the U.S. It’s the only VPN with servers in all 50 American states. This wide U.S. server coverage means you can choose from multiple servers if you want a U.S. IP address to access U.S.-exclusive sites like Netflix U.S. Overall, PIA has servers in 91 countries, including 46 in Europe. 

We also recommend PIA if you want a VPN for the long haul. It’s one of the few VPNs with a heavily discounted three-year plan. Moreover, PIA doesn’t limit the number of devices you can use with your subscription. PIA is also a good choice if you want to torrent in Europe because all its servers are optimized for P2P downloads. 

Notes From the Lab: PIA VPN Unblocking Capability Test Results

PIA can unblock popular streaming platforms, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer and Max. However, in our tests, we couldn’t access Disney Plus and Hulu while connected to PIA. Here’s a summary of our findings.

Streaming ServiceUnblocked?
Notes From the Lab: PIA Security Analysis

We connected to PIA’s server in Denver and checked our IP address from IPleak.net. The image below shows that PIA effectively hid our location details. The only information on display was the VPN’s IP address and DNS servers.

pia dns leak
Our IPleak.net test results show that PIA didn’t leak our location details. 

PIA offers industry-standard protocols to help you secure your traffic. The table below highlights the protocols and supported devices. 

Protocol:EncryptionDevices Supported
OpenVPNAES-256



WireGuardChaCha20



IKEv2/IPsecAES-256


PIA also offers obfuscation through the Shadowsocks protocol. You can stop ads, trackers and malware using PIA’s MACE, which blocks unwanted content at the DNS level before it can get anywhere near your device. 

PIA Pricing & Value

PIA’s most tempting offer is the two-year plan with three free months, which costs $2.19 per month. If you want PIA for half a year, it will cost you $7.50 per month, while the monthly plan costs $11.99. All the plans have a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you want more details about PIA, read our PIA review

6. TunnelBear — Best Free VPN for Europe

tunnelbear homepage
TunnelBear offers over 5,000 servers in 47 countries, including free servers.

Pros:

  • Free servers in 47 countries, including Europe
  • 2GB of free monthly data
  • Easy to use

Cons:

  • Inconsistent streaming performance

If you can’t afford to purchase any of the above VPNs for your European trip, try TunnelBear. It’s one of the best free VPNs with free servers in 47 countries. For context, many free VPNs limit your servers to less than 12 countries. TunnelBear’s free server network offers servers worldwide, including the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Spain, South Africa, Australia and Japan. 

Unlike other free VPNs, TunnelBear doesn’t limit your speeds, so your web pages won’t take long to load, and you can browse buffer-free. The catch is that TunnelBear offers 2GB of free data each month, which will quickly run out if you’re streaming videos. However, that data could be useful for casual browsing. 

Notes From the Lab: TunnelBear Unblocking Capability Test Results

There’s another reason why TunnelBear isn’t a good choice for streaming — our research shows it can’t unblock many streaming services. In our tests, TunnelBear could only unblock Max. We’ve summarized our findings below.

Streaming ServiceUnblocked?
Notes From the Lab: TunnelBear Security Analysis

We ran a DNS leak test by connecting to TunnelBear’s server in Los Angeles and using IPleak.net to check our IP address and DNS servers. We are happy to report that TunnelBear doesn’t leak any sensitive details, as shown in the image below. 

tunnelbear dns leak test
Our DNS leak tests show that TunnelBear doesn’t leak
your location information. 

TunnelBear offers all the secure protocols you need on VPN software: WireGuard, OpenVPN and IKEv2. The table below lists the protocols, their encryption methods and the available devices. 

Protocol:EncryptionDevices Supported
OpenVPNAES-256



WireGuardChaCha20



IKEv2/IPsec*AES-256


*Can be set up manually on Windows and Linux

TunnelBear also offers obfuscation through its GhostBear mode. It makes your VPN traffic appear as regular traffic, so surveillance systems won’t know you’re using a VPN. You can also protect your traffic using TunnelBear’s kill switch (VigilantBear). 

TunnelBear Pricing & Value

TunnelBear’s paid version has two main pricing models. The first is the Unlimited plan, which lets you purchase a monthly TunnelBear subscription for $9.99. You can also subscribe to TunnelBear for a year or three years by paying $3.33 per month. We don’t recommend TunnelBear’s paid plans because the VPNs listed above can give you better value for money.

TunnelBear doesn’t offer refunds, but you can use the free plan to test it in the same way you’d use another VPN’s money-back guarantee. You can learn more about the VPN service in our TunnelBear review.

Free
  • 2GB
  • 2GB
  • Unlimited
Unlimited
  • Unlimited GB, unlimited devices, priority customer service *Price for the 1-year and 3-year plans are only billed for the first year.
  • Unlimited GB
  • Unlimited
  • Yes
Teams
  • Unlimited GB, centralized billing, account manager, price per user per month
  • Unlimited GB
  • Unlimited
  • Yes

Our Methodology: How We Tested the Best Europe VPN Providers

Our VPN experts examined and tested over 50 VPNs to compile this list of the best VPNs for Europe. Here are the main criteria we considered and the tests we ran.

Speed

To check a VPN’s speed, we measure its upload speed, download speed and latency across different servers. Five providers on this list are part of our daily automated speed tests, so we culled the results from there. For other VPNs not on the automated list, we connected to different servers across multiple continents and checked their speeds using Ookla. 

Security

We review a VPN’s security by checking for essential features, including up-to-date encryption, a kill switch and secure protocols. DNS leak tests are also ran to see if the VPN leaked any location identifiers. 

Content Unblocking

We connected to each VPN’s servers and attempted to open multiple streaming services. For example, we connected to servers in the U.S. from Europe and tried to open the Netflix U.S. library. If we didn’t get an error page, and if Netflix U.S.-exclusive shows like ‘Supernatural’ showed up, the VPN could unblock Netflix U.S. 

Usability

For ease of use, we first checked how easy and fast it was to download and install the VPN. We also connected to several servers to see if the process was easy or complicated. Then we checked how hard the various settings were to find and if a beginner would easily know what each one did. 

Can You Use a Free VPN for Europe?

Although a free VPN can work for Europe, we don’t recommend using one. There are thousands of free VPNs in mobile app stores, but many are unsafe. They either carry malware, or collect and sell your data. Others don’t work at all or perform poorly, especially with regard to unblocking and speeds. Many of them also limit your server options and data. 

The Best Free VPN for Europe: TunnelBear

TunnelBear is the best free VPN to use in Europe. Its extensive server network covers 47 countries, and most of its servers are in Europe, so you have multiple options for a European IP address. TunnelBear offers 2GB of free monthly data, which can be handy for casual browsing. However, it can’t unblock streaming services like Netflix. 

Are VPNs Legal in Europe?

Yes, VPNs are legal in most of Europe. However, a few countries have banned or heavily restricted them. For example, Belarus has made it illegal to use VPNs and Tor since 2015.2

Russia and Turkey have also placed heavy restrictions on VPNs. These countries aside, you can use a VPN in Europe without worrying about the authorities breathing down your neck. 

Why You Need a VPN for Europe

You need a VPN for Europe if you want to access different content libraries. For example, to access Netflix U.S. while in Europe, you’ll have to use a VPN to spoof your location. A VPN is also vital in Europe if you intend to use public WiFi networks there. Such networks have vulnerabilities that hackers might exploit, but a VPN protects you by encrypting your activity. 

VPNs are also useful for European countries with restrictive laws and internet censorship, such as Russia and Turkey. You’ll also need a VPN with servers in Europe if you want to access content from channels in other European countries, such as BBC iPlayer or Eurosport. 

How to Use a VPN for Europe

Setting up a VPN to use in Europe is simple. We’ll show you the steps to follow using ExpressVPN, the best VPN provider for Europe. However, these steps apply to almost any other VPN. 

  1. Install a VPN Service

    Visit the VPN provider’s website, purchase a subscription and download the right app for your device. Alternatively, visit your device’s app store and download the VPN app. Follow the installation prompts to set up the VPN on your device.

    download expressvpn
  2. Connect to a VPN Server

    Open the VPN app and connect to your preferred server. Choose a server located in a country with the IP address you want. On most VPNs’ home screens, clicking on the large “connect” button will connect you to the fastest server.

    expressvpn poland connect
  3. Start Browsing

    Open your browser or apps and start using the internet.

    stream netflix

Community Feedback: Best VPN for Europe on Reddit & Social Media

Comments about the best VPNs for Europe on communities like Reddit are varied. Some tout NordVPN, while others claim Surfshark is the best bet. Other VPNs that aren’t on our list, like Mullvad, also had a few mentions. That said, not every comment on such sites is made by actual users; some companies use bots to promote their services through comments. 

Unsurprisingly, ExpressVPN — our best VPN for Europe — had many positive mentions, especially for torrenting. Here’s what a user named ComicbookArcher wrote: “I’m in the EU (Netherlands) and I’ve been using ExpressVPN to access things like American and British Netflix and it has always worked for me. Never has it been detected by Netflix after using it for about a year…”

Final Thoughts

By now, we’re sure you have a clear idea of which VPNs to consider if you’re traveling to Europe or need a European IP address. ExpressVPN should be your first choice because it has a massive server network, fast speeds and excellent security features. If you find ExpressVPN too expensive, NordVPN is worth considering.

Surfshark is an even more affordable choice. CyberGhost is best for beginners, and PIA works well with torrents. If you need a free VPN for Europe, opt for TunnelBear. We chose these VPNs after rigorous examinations and tests, so we’re confident they’ll work well for you.

Have you ever used a VPN while traveling? Which VPNs worked best for you? Do you plan to try any of the VPNs on this list? Which VPNs do you think should have made this list? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below. As always, thanks for reading. 

FAQ: Best VPN for Travel to Europe

  • What Is the Best VPN to Use in Europe?

    ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Europe, thanks to its large server network, fast speeds and excellent security features. It allows you to stream movies abroad, safely use public WiFi networks and browse privately.

  • Should I Use a VPN in Europe?

    You need a VPN in Europe if you want to avoid the dangers of public WiFi networks. A VPN can also help you bypass geoblocks and access content in different countries.

  • What Is the Best VPN to Use Internationally?

    ExpressVPN is the best VPN to use internationally, whether you’re vacationing or traveling for work. It boasts a fast and secure server network in 105 countries that can bypass many geoblocks and evade censorship.

  • What Is the Best VPN for Country Switching?

    ExpressVPN is the best VPN for virtually changing your country. It allows you to pick from servers in 105 countries covering multiple continents, including the Americas, Europe, the Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa.

Sources:

  1. Statista – Number of International Tourist Arrivals in Europe From 2006 to 2023
  2. Freedom House – Belarus

       

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