Best VPN in Germany: 6 Top Options Reviewed For Every Need & Budget

The best VPN for Germany will let you access all the streaming content you want while ensuring top-quality online security.

Whether you want to watch your favorite shows on Amazon Prime Video or Netflix, we’ve reviewed the top VPN providers for Germany.

Read on to find the right one for you.

In a hurry? If you want the best VPN for privacy, security, or speed, here are our editor’s picks for the best VPNs overall — each with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Click through now to get our best discount on your subscription:

• ExpressVPN: A global leader among VPNs, ExpressVPN offers one-click ease with high speed servers in 105 countries — and it also unblocks Netflix. Get 3 months free when you purchase a 12-month subscription.
• NordVPN: Compatible with many streaming services, featuring malware prevention and ad blocking. Get up to 68% off + 3 free months with NordVPN’s Back to School special when you choose a 2-year plan with our special offer.
• Surfshark: Award-winning VPN for unlimited devices, featuring worldwide connections with 10 GBit servers in 100 countries. Get up to 86% off your Surfshark 2-year subscription price.

Germany Overview

Before we get to detailed information concerning VPNs, let’s take a quick look at Germany.

Jurisdiction Characteristics
Political culture	Democracy
Main IT hub location	Munich
Data protection registration	Not required
Data protection officers appointment	Not required
Data transfer to 3rd party disclosure	Consent required
Unlawful disclosure of sensitive information	10% of the company’s annual domestic turnover
VPN allowance	It’s legal no need to report
Downloading copyrighted content	Not allowed

Quick Guide to Choosing The Best VPN For Germany

If you haven’t got much time to study all the features of several VPNs, here are the most important traits you should look for in a VPN for Germany (and what you should avoid).

What to look for:

• Secure encryption – Germany is one of the 14 countries that have agreed to share their intelligence with each other as part of the 14-Eyes Alliance. As a result, you should ensure any VPN you use in Germany utilizes secure encryption protocols to ensure your data and online activities remain private.
• German servers – If you want to access content in Germany, you’ll need to connect to a server within the country, so you should look for a VPN service with lots of German servers. The more of these it has available, the more likely you are to experience faster speeds as well.

What to avoid:

• No torrenting support – While not illegal, Germany has very strict rules around torrenting. If you want to bypass P2P sharing restrictions, you’ll want a VPN with servers that support file sharing.

The Best VPN Services For Germany

In this section, we will reveal the best VPNs for Germany:

Founded in Panama, NordVPN is outside the jurisdiction of surveillance organizations and alliances. It uses a 256-bit encryption standard and has more than 240 secure servers within Germany. Plus, with NordVPN’s multi-hop VPN technologies, any data passing through its network is extremely secure.

Double VPN Encryption (multi-hop)

NordVPN offers an advanced security feature called Double VPN (also known as multi-hop technology), to further protect your data. When using this feature, NordVPN routes your traffic through two VPN servers instead of just one, so your data is encrypted twice and the second server doesn’t have any information on you to begin with.

This could be particularly beneficial when downloading torrented files in Germany, as your activity cannot be tracked back to you.

Privacy

NordVPN does not log any traffic and operates outside the jurisdictions of the 14-Eyes privacy alliance. As such, you can connect while in Germany knowing your data and activities remain anonymous.

NordVPN also offers some of the best security practices in the VPN market, using the industry standard AES-256 encryption algorithm, and has even developed its own faster and safer protocol, NordLynx.

A NordVPN subscription also includes a number of additional security features, including a kill switch, obfuscated servers, Dark Web Monitor, and its Threat Protection package.

Lots of servers with fast speeds

NordVPN has more than 240 servers located in Berlin and Frankfurt, ensuring connections remain reliable, fast, and congestion-free. Its app provides a Quick Connect feature, and NordVPN offers users its own NordLynx protocol, which is designed to be the fastest in the industry.

Sign Up Now for NordVPN

Read our full NordVPN review.

Rank:	3	Max devices:	Unlimited
Servers:	100	24/7 support:	✅
Speed:	10 Gbps	Free trial:	✅
Countries:	80	Money-back guarantee:	✅
Encryption Type:		Apps & devices:	Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Router, Amazon Sticks, Android TV, Chromecast, Roku, Xbox, PlayStation
Jurisdiction:	Netherlands

Our Deal: Surfshark Starter at $2.19/mo for 2 years + 3 months FREE

While Surfshark may be new, it offers low prices without skimping on security. This VPN service is dedicated to online privacy and has several additional security features on top of 256-bit encryption standards, a wide range of protocols, and a verified no-log policy.

And secure browsing is not Surfshark’s only feature. Thanks to its servers’ high speeds, including two sites in Germany, several of the most stubborn streaming platforms (such as Netflix USA or BBC iPlayer) can be accessed in Germany.

Surfshark has Android, iOS, Windows, Mac OS, and Linux apps. Manually installing it on compatible routers is also possible.

Servers

Surfshark has a global network of more than 3,000 servers capable of 10Gbps, with two locations in Germany – Berlin and Frankfurt am Main (which is a multi-hop server) – as well as several static IP servers in Frankfurt. Connecting to any of these servers will provide you with a secure and private internet connection, as well as a German IP address to bypass any geo-blocks and access German content.

Prices and Free Trial

Surfshark offers its mobile users a seven-day free trial (iOS and Android only). If you’re only traveling to Germany for a week, this could be long enough to try the service out for your entire trip for free!

Surfshark’s price point is typically lower than its competitors, making it great for those on a budget. And even for desktop apps, Surfshark offers a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try it risk free.

Many Additional Features

Surfshark offers all the standard features you’d want from a premium VPN, such as industry-standard AES-256 encryption, a choice of protocols (including WireGuard), and a strict no-log policy.

However, it also provides DNS leak protection, IPv6 protection and encryption, and WebRTC leak prevention as standard, ensuring your traffic is protected at all times.

Additional features include a kill switch on all platforms, automatic ad blocking and malware scanning, plus a NoBorders Mode to help users bypass country-specific restrictions, and a Camouflage Mode to prevent anyone from being able to tell you’re even using a VPN.

Sign Up Now for Surfshark VPN

Read our full Surfshark VPN review.

Rank:	4	Max devices:	5
Servers:	3200	24/7 support:	✅
Speed:		Free trial:	✅
Countries:	48	Money-back guarantee:	✅
Encryption Type:		Apps & devices:	Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Router, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Chromecast, Roku, Xbox, PlayStation
Jurisdiction:	Netherlands

Our deal: $3.99 per month for 24 months

Sign Up Now for PrivadoVPN

Pros & Cons:

Torrenting

PrivadoVPN offers a SOCKS5 proxy, designed to provide faster download speeds through an anonymous and untraceable IP address.

While a proxy will still mask your IP address to keep your identity private, it won’t encrypt your traffic (making it less secure than a standard VPN connection), but saving this step should increase your connection speed while continuing to maintain your anonymity. This is important in Germany where torrenting rules are strict (and often come with high fines).

Recommended Server Feature

With its Recommended Server feature, PrivadoVPN will help you find the fastest server for your location, which can be useful if you travel a lot or don’t know the area.

Alternatively, you can choose your favorite server and the app will automatically connect to it as soon as you start the app with its Auto Connect feature. PrivadoVPN offers servers in Berlin and Frankfurt, so if you stream a lot of German content you can save one as your favorite and automatically connect to save time.

Free Plan

PrivadoVPN offers a free plan, which includes its no logging policy and many of its paid-for features, such as a choice of three protocols, no speed limits, and a kill switch.

However, you’re limited to only one device, compared to the 10 simultaneous connections on the paid plans, and you can only access 12 server locations (which doesn’t include any in Germany). You’re also restricted to a 10GB monthly usage limit, which resets every 30 days, but it’s a great way to test the service to see if you like it before upgrading to the premium service.

Free Version

Hide.me offers users free access to eight server locations around the world, including one in Germany.

The free plan includes the same privacy and security settings as the premium versions, such as AES-256 encryption and WireGuard or OpenVPN protocols, and apps for all devices. Hide.me also has an independently verified no-logs policy, regardless of the plan you choose, and 24/7 customer support even for free-plan users.

It should be noted that the free plan only allows users to connect with one device, and limits bandwidth to 10GB per month.

Stealth Guard

Hide.me VPN includes a feature known as Stealth Guard, that lets you limit certain apps or your entire internet connection, so they’ll only work when connected to the VPN. This prevents you from accidentally compromising your anonymity or security, and is particularly useful for Germany, as you can limit torrent sites, for example, so they won’t work unless you’re protected by the VPN.

It can also help you save data while traveling, by restricting the consumption of data traffic on unknown networks.

IPv6 support

IPv6 is the newest internet protocol version (from IPv4), and many VPN services are unable to support it yet. This means your IP address could be accidentally leaked.

However, Hide.me VPN supports both IPv4 and IPv6 through a dual-stack configuration, to ensure users receive seamless protected connectivity on both protocols.

Why Use a VPN for Germany?

Using a VPN is a good idea wherever you are – it protects your personal data from hackers and third parties, lets you browse the internet privately, and can help you bypass geo-blocks or speed restrictions.

This is particularly important in countries that are part of the 14-Eyes Alliance, such as Germany, as it openly shares information about its citizens and visitors with other governments. However, using a VPN hides your activities, so there’s no data to pass on.

VPNs also let you bypass geo-restrictions placed on online content. If you’re traveling in Germany, a VPN will allow you to access your US content from services like Netflix and Disney+. Or, if you’re a German national living in the US, you can use a VPN that has servers in Germany to access German content unavailable in the US.

How to choose a good VPN for Germany

Some of the key things you should look for in a VPN for Germany are:

1. Verified no-logging policy – Your personal data or any record of your online activity should not be stored by a good VPN. This is especially important if you want to use torrenting services, as Germany has strict regulations around this.
2. Secure encryption – The VPN’s encryption should be military-grade, AES 256-bit, and offer industry-regulated protocols such as OpenVPN or WireGuard.
3. Servers in Germany – The best VPNs for Germany should have at least one German server, to allow you to access German networks and websites.
4. Servers in other countries – If you’re in Germany and want to access geo-restricted content from other countries, you’ll need a VPN with servers located in those countries where the content is based. For example, Netflix US and Hulu run on US servers, and BBC iPlayer runs on UK servers.
5. High connection speeds and P2P support – Streaming services, gaming, and torrenting all rely on fast servers. To protect your anonymity when torrenting, make sure your VPN supports P2P activities.
6. Advanced security features – While not strictly necessary, it’s good practice to check whether a VPN service offers more advanced security features, such as DDoS attack protection, DNS/IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch. In addition, split tunneling allows you to directly access local services or devices without turning off the VPN.

What to avoid in a VPN for Germany

Try to stay away from VPN services that are registered in jurisdictions that have information-sharing alliances with other countries (such as Five-Eyes, Nine-Eyes, and 14-Eyes members), as this means they may pass on your data and internet history if asked.

You should also avoid providers with slow server speeds, particularly if they don’t have many servers in Germany. Fewer available servers increase the likelihood of congestion, and you’ll probably be farther away from your nearest one, so choosing a server with slow speeds will exacerbate any problems this could cause.

Completely avoid VPNs that don’t have any servers in Germany, as you’ll be unable to access any German content.

How to Get Started Using a VPN for Germany

If you’ve chosen one of the VPNs for Germany we recommend, that setting it up shouldn’t be much different from using a VPN for any other purpose. There’s likely to be just one additional step: choosing the country of the server you’d like to connect to.

While all VPN services will be slightly different in their setups and instructions, the most popular ones should provide an app that will then let you choose which country to connect to. As a result, the installation and setup of a VPN for Germany should be relatively similar regardless of your provider.

We’ll walk you through how to set up ExpressVPN for Germany (our number one pick), but it should be fairly easy to follow the same steps with whatever VPN you choose.

1. First, sign up for ExpressVPN. We recommend subscribing to the one-year plan with three months free.
2. Download the ExpressVPN app to the device you’re either taking to Germany or want to access German content on. ExpressVPN has download links for all major platforms and devices on its website – just select yours and click “download”.
3. Once the app has been downloaded and installed, you can open it and sign in to your ExpressVPN account.
4. The app will present you with a big “connect” button, and show your server location underneath. Click this location and you will be shown all the available server locations you can connect to.
5. Choose a server that suits your needs. If you’re in Germany and want to access US content, choose a server in the US. If you’re in any other country and want to access German content, choose a German server. Alternatively, if you’re in Germany and just want a VPN for privacy and security, you can click the big “connect” button on the app’s homepage and it will assign you the fastest server available for your current location.
6. The app will then connect you to the server. You can then go to any site or app and access your chosen content safely and anonymously.

ExpressVPN has specific installation guides for all its apps and devices on its official website, including how to install them onto a router or smart TV. You can access these through ExpressVPN’s online support pages.

Methodology

We personally try out each VPN for our reviews. We evaluate speed, security features, ability to unblock streaming services, support for torrenting, customer support, and many other factors. We also look at the VPN company’s jurisdiction, history, past security incidents, privacy policy, and audit reports to ensure that you get a complete picture of the service. Learn more about how we test VPNs on our methodology page.

Wrapping Up

Finding the best VPN for Germany comes down to a few key factors: secure encryption, servers located within Germany, and private torrenting capabilities.

You’ll need to find a VPN provider with servers in Germany, so you’ll be able to bypass any geo-restrictions for German or US content while also retaining reliable speeds, but you’ll also want a service with strong encryption and a strict no-logs policy to keep you protected from Germany’s information sharing agreement as part of its membership in the 14-Eyes Alliance.

ExpressVPN and NordVPN are our top choices, as both come with industry-standard 256-bit encryption and their own exclusive protocols designed to be faster and more secure. Both providers also have several servers in multiple locations throughout Germany, making them ideal for unblocking German content or connecting while traveling within the country.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which free VPN is best for Germany IP?

Hide.me VPN is recommended as the best free VPN for a German IP address, as it’s one of the few verified no-log VPN services to offer a German server within a free plan. Users can sign up and download the Hide.me VPN on most devices without needing any payment details, and can then select the free German server to connect securely to a German IP address.

What VPN can I use in Germany?

Any VPN should work in Germany, but it depends on a user’s need as to whether the functionality is suitable. To access German-specific content, the VPN service will need to have servers located within Germany, to provide a German IP address. However, to access US content while in Germany, any secure VPN with servers in the US will be able to do the same.

How do I get a German VPN?

Most US VPNs will work in Germany, but users will need to check whether their provider has servers located within the country. If they do, users should be able to select the German servers from the VPN’s app or connection settings, and the device will be routed through a secure German IP address.

Which VPN is the best for Germany?

The best VPN to use in Germany depends on the individual user’s needs and circumstances. The above list suggests the best German VPN for specific requirements (such as speed or torrenting). Otherwise, ExpressVPN is recommended as the best overall VPN for Germany, due to its fast speeds, secure encryption, additional features, and vast number of servers throughout Germany.

Is it legal to use a VPN in Germany?

Yes, the use of VPNs is completely legal in Germany, and the country does not have any legislation that regulates VPN usage.

It should be noted that any illegal activities carried out while using a VPN are still illegal, and you may want to check whether using a VPN goes against a website’s terms of service.