Watching Netflix, HBO or Videoland abroad?

On a holiday trip and feel like catching a series? Or do you want to watch that one sports match, but it’s blocked because you’re abroad? Sounds familiar. Streaming services like Netflix, HBO, and Disney+ – as well as live TV – often block connections from abroad.

IPTV, HBO or Disney+ streaming

They do this through an IP block. It sounds technical, but the bottom line is that they can tell from your internet connection which country you are in. Based on that, they block the connection, preventing you from watching your favourite series or TV programme. But fortunately, there are solutions!

Roaming Europe

It was not so long ago that we had to pay extra for roaming to use our mobile subscription abroad. If you used mobile internet in Belgium, Germany or another European country, you had to pay extra for it.

Since June 2017, this is no longer the case. From then on, you can use your mobile subscription across europe at no extra cost, Whether it’s data, calls, or even old-school text messages.

This also applies to streaming services and TV providers. Again, since 2017, you can enjoy streaming services and/or TV programmes across Europe as you are used to. This is all regulated in the portability of online services that was recently extended for 10 years (2022).

Watching Live TV Abroad (YouTube TV, Hulu, Sling)

Want to stream live TV while you’re abroad? Services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Sling TV offer live channels – including sports, news, and local TV. But there’s a catch: these platforms often restrict access based on your location.

Just like with Netflix, your IP address tells the service where you are. If you’re outside the US, your access will be blocked.

Solution? Use a VPN.

A Virtual Private Network allows you to route your connection through the US, so platforms like YouTube TV or Hulu think you’re still back home. Most VPNs are easy to install and work on your phone, tablet, or laptop.

Steps:

Sign up for a VPN (like NordVPN or Surfshark)
Install the app and log in
Choose a US location
Open your preferred streaming app and start watching

VPNs don’t just unlock geo-restricted content – they also encrypt your data, making public Wi-Fi safer when you’re travelling.

Watching HBO max abroad

Want to watch HBO Max while abroad? Then there are two options that may apply. As with other streaming services or TV providers, HBO Max allows you to use the service hassle-free within Europe.

However, are you outside Europe and still want to enjoy HBO Max as if you were in the Netherlands? Then a solution that allows you to mask your location is required. By using a VPN – for example NordVPN – you can easily indicate that you want to surf via a Dutch IP address. This way, you can watch HBO Max without any problems, even if you are abroad.

Watching Disney+ abroad

To watch Disney+ abroad – if you are not in Europe – you will also need a VPN connection. This connection ensures that your internet connection goes through a Dutch IP address.

This is necessary because streaming services block foreign IP addresses (outside Europe). You cannot then watch Disney+ abroad – outside Europe, that is.

Installing a VPN is easy. You sign up(you can do so for as little as a month), download the app from the website and then simply follow the steps they explain.

You create an account and download the app
Log into the app
Click on a UK or German – or other European country – flag

You can now watch Disney+ to your heart’s content.

Streaming films and series abroad

If you want to watch Netflix abroad, chances are you will run into problems. Are you in Europe? Then there’s usually nothing wrong and you can just watch Netflix. Do you have problems watching Netflix within Europe, though? If so, read on

If you are abroad and in a non-European country, chances are Netflix will block your connection. This is because Netflix sees that you are in another country because of your IP address. Fortunately, the solution is simple.

By using a VPN, you can pretend you are in the Netherlands (or another country). Your connection then runs through a Dutch IP address, allowing you to simply watch Netflix abroad. Using a VPN is simple. If you go abroad for a short period of time, you close a VPN for a month. During your holiday, you use the VPN and can stream TV or watch Netflix to your heart’s content.

The advantage is that a VPN also allows you to surf the internet more securely. Pretty handy if you are logging on somewhere while sitting in a coffee shop.

Netflix download abroad

Want to download Netflix abroad or because you are going abroad? Then you will need a smartphone or tablet. After all, you can’t download Netflix series or films on a laptop.

In the Netherlands or Europe, you can download Netflix on your smartphone or tablet without any problems. You can watch series or films you have downloaded anywhere. Even outside Europe.

Are you already abroad? Then you do need a VPN to download Netflix. You then install the app from, say, NordVPN on your smartphone or tablet. Log in and click on a country of your choice (ideally the Netherlands and otherwise another European country). Then you can open the Netflix app and download series and films.

Netflix VPN

How can I watch Netflix via VPN?

Watching Netlix through a VPN is hugely simple. All you have to do is sign up with a VPN service – you can do this for as little as a few euros for one month – and follow the instructions they provide. This often involves the following steps

Sign up
Download the programme or app on your phone/iPad
Choose the Netherlands as the country from which you want to surf

Done. You are now ready to watch Netflix over a VPN

Why doesn’t Netflix work with VPNs?

Are you having trouble watching Netflix while on a VPN? If so, Netflix may have blocked the VPN’s IP addresses or there may be other problems on the VPN’s side.

We always use NordVPN and so far can watch Netflix worldwide without any problems. However, it can sometimes pay to watch Netflix incognito if you are on a laptop.

If you still experience problems then you can look at other VPN solutions, such as ExpressVPN, Surfshark or Proton. For Chrome users, Hola is a pleasant solution.