Best VPN in Germany: ExpressVPN, NordVPN & 4 More Tested
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.
23 VPNs reviewed3,400+ leak tests run1 featured partnerHow we test →
1Featured partnerBEST OVERALLExpressVPNFast, reliable, works in 105 countries. TrustedServer technology ensures no data touches a hard drive.From $3.49/moGet ExpressVPN NowWhy we picked it ↓
2BEST FOR STREAMINGNordVPNFastest speeds in our testing. NordLynx protocol. Works with Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and more.From $3.09/moGet NordVPN NowWhy we picked it ↓
3BEST VALUESurfsharkUnlimited devices on one account. Competitive long-term pricing with CleanWeb ad blocker included.From $1.99/moGet Surfshark NowWhy we picked it ↓
ⓘLast reviewed: April 1, 2026
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📌Germany Overview
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
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
The Best VPN Services For Germany
In this section, we will reveal the best VPNs for Germany:
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Pros & Cons:
If you’re looking for an ideal VPN for Germany, then ExpressVPN is an option. It provides excellent security, lots of additional features, and high-speed servers across Germany.
ExpressVPN is a UK-based VPN service registered in the British Virgin Islands (BVI), which is outside the jurisdiction of the 14-eyes alliance, and maintains a strict no-logging policy for all its users.
Encryption
ExpressVPN’s encryption is among the best in the industry, using AES-256 encryption and offering a range of protocols, including its own open-source Lightway protocol. All of ExpressVPN’s servers use TrustedServer technology for extra security, and its apps offer secure features such as split tunneling and a kill switch (known as Network Lock), designed to keep your data safe even if you lose your internet connection.
Servers
With 3,000+ servers capable of more than 10Gbps speeds, ExpressVPN’s network is optimized for streaming content without buffering and has locations in three different sites throughout Germany. This means you should have no problem accessing German TV and streaming sites, including ProSieben, DAZN Germany, and Netflix Germany, or watching the Bundesliga from anywhere.
No-Logs Policy
ExpressVPN also does not keep any information about what its users do on the internet. It has a strict policy against logs, which has been verified by independent third-party audits, and doesn’t collect any activity or connection logs.
30daysMoney-back guarantee - cancel anytime, no questions asked.
Pros & Cons:
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.
30daysMoney-back guarantee - cancel anytime, no questions asked.
Pros & Cons:
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 4,500+ 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.
30daysMoney-back guarantee - cancel anytime, no questions asked.
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 10simultaneous 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.
🛡️ProtonVPN
ProtonVPN
ProtonVPN Specifications
Best Price
$3.59/mo $9.99/mo monthly
Free Trial
✗ No free trial
Refund Policy
30-day money-back guarantee (prorated refund within 30 days)
30daysMoney-back guarantee - cancel anytime, no questions asked.
Pros & Cons:
VPN Accelerator
ProtonVPN has a VPN Accelerator feature built into all of its apps – even if you’re on the free plan. This is designed to boost your speed and provide a more reliable and stable connection over long distances, which is important if you’re traveling and far away from the more established server locations or better-developed internet providers. ProtonVPN claims you can expect speeds up to 400% faster, even over less reliable internet connections.
Free Version
ProtonVPN is one of the few premium VPN providers to offer a completely free plan and doesn’t even limit your bandwidth with it (meaning it doesn’t cut you off when you’ve used a set amount of data).
The downside is only three server locations are included: the US, Japan, and the Netherlands. If you’re in Germany looking to access US content, this will help you bypass geo-restrictions with no problem, but if you’re trying to access German content with a German IP address, you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan.
Servers
ProtonVPN has 3,000 servers, many of which are capable of speeds of up to 10 Gbps and are designed to provide streaming support so you can access your content from anywhere. Nearly 100 of these are Secure Core servers, including the ones it has in Berlin and Frankfurt, which route network traffic through safer countries like Switzerland, Iceland, and Sweden for additional privacy and security.
30daysMoney-back guarantee - cancel anytime, no questions asked.
Pros & Cons:
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?
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:
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.
Secure encryption – The VPN’s encryption should be military-grade, AES 256-bit, and offer industry-regulated protocols such as OpenVPN or WireGuard.
Servers in Germany – The best VPNs for Germany should have at least one German server, to allow you to access German networks and websites.
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.
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.
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.
Every VPN on this page goes through the same independent testing process. No provider pays for a ranking. ExpressVPN is our featured partner (clearly disclosed), but that relationship does not influence the testing methodology applied to every other provider on this page.
🔎
Leak tests
IP address, DNS, and WebRTC leak detection using our own testing tool
⚡
Speed tests
Download, upload, and latency measurements across multiple server locations
🎥
Streaming access
Testing against Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and other major services
📜
Privacy policy review
Jurisdiction analysis, logging policy audit, and independent audit verification
💻
App quality
Usability testing on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and browser extensions
💰
Value assessment
Price per month, money-back guarantee terms, and feature-to-cost ratio
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.
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.
ExpressVPN
Fast, reliable, works in 105 countries. TrustedServer technology ensures no data touches a hard drive.
From $3.49/mo
Get ExpressVPN Now
Why we picked it ↓
NordVPN
Fastest speeds in our testing. NordLynx protocol. Works with Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and more.
From $3.09/mo
Get NordVPN Now
Why we picked it ↓
Surfshark
Unlimited devices on one account. Competitive long-term pricing with CleanWeb ad blocker included.
From $1.99/mo
Get Surfshark Now
Why we picked it ↓
