5 Best VPNs for Europe in 2023

Europe is a little more complicated to differentiate from countries like the United States when it comes to digital privacy. Being a continent, Europe has more than 40 countries in its domain, many of which have issues ranging from online surveillance to freedom of speech. 

In countries where Internet censorship is prevalent or governments have too much visibility into what their citizens do online, a VPN for Europe can help navigate these obstacles. A VPN will allow you to bypass restrictions on free speech and hide your sensitive information and activities from data-retention measures. It will also enable access to geo-blocked content like websites and streaming services both inside Europe and around the world. 

Our aim with this article is to recommend the best VPNs for Europe based on our thorough testing. We’ll also show you how to get a VPN, talk about why you need one, and answer some FAQs.

So, let’s get started!

Best VPN for Europe – Our Shortlist

1. ExpressVPN – Our #1-Rated VPN for Europe
2. NordVPN – Best Security-Focused European VPN
3. CyberGhost VPN – Top VPN for Streaming in Europe
4. Private Internet Access – Europe VPN for Experienced Users 
5. Surfshark – Best VPN for Europe with Unlimited Connections

How to Get a European VPN

Getting a European VPN requires that you first subscribe to a VPN with servers in plenty of countries spread across Europe. Here’s a simple step-by-step process:

1. Sign up for a VPN that works in Europe (we recommend ExpressVPN).
2. Download and install the VPN app on your device(s).
3. Launch the VPN app on your device, and then log in using your credentials.
4. Connect to a VPN server in a European country of your choice.
5. After the connection is established, you can browse the Internet freely in Europe.

Connecting to a VPN server in Europe unblocks geo-restricted European content from anywhere in the world. On the other hand, servers outside the continent help you unblock global content that is not easily accessible in Europe.

Best VPN for Europe

We have certain criteria that a VPN must meet, as we’ve explained in our guide for finding VPNs with the most servers. Following suit, the best VPN for Europe must have a sufficient number of servers in Europe and globally in various countries, as well as fast and reliable performance. A high number of servers will offer better chances of unblocking geo-restricted European and global content. 

Privacy is a huge deal, so the VPN provider must have a zero-logs policy that is externally audited. It should also offer AES 256-bit encryption for security, DNS leak protection, advanced VPN protocols, and support for numerous simultaneous connections that allow you to use multiple devices. It’s great if you can find a VPN with dedicated IP addresses for Europe, too. Lastly, it must offer a reliable money-back policy and solid customer support.

With all of that in mind, here’s our list of the top VPNs for Europe:

1. ExpressVPN - Our #1-Rated VPN for Europe

ExpressVPN operates 3,000+ VPN servers in 94 countries, including 40 countries in Europe, such as Germany, France, Spain, and Ukraine. The exact number of VPN servers in Europe is unknown, but you can expect it to be at least in the hundreds. The server network will help you get access to both European content and worldwide content that is geo-blocked.

There is a reason why ExpressVPN has consistently ranked as the best VPN for us. All ExpressVPN’s servers are capable of 10 Gbps speeds, so you can look forward to plenty of seamless streaming, gaming, and torrenting. It offers the best speed coupled with reliability and a verified no-logs policy that ensures your online activities are not tracked. 

The VPN app includes features such as split tunneling, IPv6 leak protection, and the option to choose between VPN protocols. ExpressVPN utilizes AES 256-bit encryption and supports OpenVPN, IKEv2, L2TP/IPsec, and its proprietary Lightway protocol, which is the fastest of the bunch.

ExpressVPN does not offer dedicated IP addresses, but their IP pool is big enough, and they’re rotated regularly, so you have a good chance of connecting to newer IPs every time.

You can download the VPN app on multiple devices, such as on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, or just configure ExpressVPN on a router. Every subscription includes the flexibility to use up to 5 devices simultaneously.

Lastly, ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, and customer support is available 24/7 via live chat and email. 

2. NordVPN – Best Security-Focused European VPN

NordVPN’s impressive list of 5,600+ servers includes 2,500+ in 35+ European countries like Germany, France, Ukraine, and Spain. The number of servers in and outside of Europe ensures access to geo-restricted content, such as European TV channels or global services like Hulu that are unavailable in the country. Moreover, NordVPN delivers good results regarding speeds in key areas to support streaming, torrenting, and gaming.

We’re confident to include NordVPN as one of the leading VPNs for Europe because it has a number of features that will prove useful in bypassing censorship on the Internet. For example, in addition to regular VPN servers, NordVPN features a list of obfuscated servers that are aimed at evading strict firewalls that may prevent access to global content.

NordVPN uses AES 256-bit encryption for security and features Multi-Hop, which passes Internet traffic through 2 VPN servers instead of 1, encrypting your data twice for maximum security. VPN protocol options include NordLynx (based on WireGuard), IKEv2, and OpenVPN.

Furthermore, aided by an unlimited bandwidth policy, NordVPN's performance and reliability hold particularly well for streaming without interruption. 

It supports multiple devices and platforms that, include Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and routers. Devices like video game consoles that don’t allow VPN configuration can be connected through a VPN-enabled router. And all NordVPN subscriptions support up to 6 simultaneous connections.

Other notable features include malware protection, Meshnet, DNS leak protection, dark web monitoring, and dedicated IPs for some European countries, including the United Kingdom, Netherlands, France, Italy, Sweden, and Germany.

NordVPN is a verified no-logs service that covers your purchase with a 30-day money-back guarantee and offers 24/7 assistance via live chat and email. 

3. CyberGhost VPN – Top VPN for Streaming in Europe

One of the important highlights of CyberGhost is that it offers dedicated servers for streaming and torrenting. These streaming-optimized units are part of a larger network of 9,000+ servers spanning 91 countries worldwide. There are a whopping number of 5,666 servers in 45 European countries that, include Spain, Germany, France, and Ukraine. 

CyberGhost will give you access to geo-restricted European and global content effortlessly. All servers fare well in delivering satisfactory speed and performance, and they do not suffer from reliability issues like disconnections or DNS leaks.

The app is available for multiple devices and platforms, such as Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and routers. And on that note, you have the option to connect 7 devices simultaneously.

CyberGhost’s app offers various features like split tunneling, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection. Streaming, gaming, and torrenting servers are marked under separate tabs for convenient access. There is also a selection of dedicated IP addresses for the UK, Germany, and France to choose from.

Digging deeper into the app, you will find the option to switch between secure VPN protocols like OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard. Furthermore, CyberGhost supports AES 256-bit encryption on many of its protocol options. 

CyberGhost has taken its vast 12 years of experience to develop a VPN service that customers can trust. That means operating in Romania, where the Five Eyes Alliance has no jurisdiction, and undertaking an external audit to prove its no-logs policy.

You can try this European VPN with a 45-day money-back guarantee. If you need any help, the 24/7 customer support team is on standby via live chat and email.

4. Private Internet Access – Europe VPN for Experienced Users

Founded in 2009, Private Internet Access (PIA) is as old as commercial VPNs come. Such experience in the industry means it has developed the largest server network on the market, covering 84 countries worldwide. There are servers in 43 countries in Europe, including Germany, Belgium, Spain, and Ukraine, which you can rely on to unblock European and global content. 

Furthermore, thanks to its 10 Gbps speeds, all of PIA’s servers are capable of fast performance and reliable connectivity for streaming, gaming, and torrenting. Dedicated IP addresses are also available for the United Kingdom, Germany, and the Netherlands.

PIA supports all the major platforms, such as Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. You can also set up the VPN on a router for extended compatibility with devices like Roku and video game consoles.

PIA recently announced its increase to an unlimited number of simultaneous connections. This is very welcoming news that further improves PIA’s value. Add in the fact that it also supports unlimited bandwidth, and you can see why this VPN for Europe is a great choice for certain activities like streaming.

On the security side of things, PIA uses AES 256-bit encryption and features WireGuard, OpenVPN, L2TP/IPsec, and IKEv2 as VPN protocol options. Other notable features include a kill switch, split tunneling, DNS leak protection, and anti-tracking. 

PIA has a verified no-logs policy which offers comfort regarding user privacy. Finally, every plan is backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. To take advantage of it, you can reach out to its 24/7 customer support via live chat and email. 

5. SurfShark – Best VPN for Europe with Unlimited Connections

Surfshark makes it easy to access content in and outside of Europe thanks to its global server network of 3,200+ servers across 100 countries. This includes 600+ servers in 30+ European countries like Germany, Spain, and Ukraine.

These servers are also capable of delivering blazing-fast speeds. SurfShark guarantees speeds of at least 1 Gbps (and up to 10 Gbps) that can take advantage of Gigabit Internet connections. Overall, Surfshark is the second-fastest VPN on our list and manages to deliver an acceptable level of performance and reliability.

Inside the app, features such as a kill switch, anti-tracking, data leak protection, malware protection, and an ad-blocker are positioned under the “Features” tab. If you need a dedicated IP address for Europe, you can choose between the United Kingdom, Germany, and the Netherlands.

Surfshark follows in the footsteps of other leading VPN providers by utilizing AES 256-bit encryption for the best security. There are numerous security- and speed-optimized VPN protocols to choose from, including IKEv2, OpenVPN, and WireGuard. 

SurfShark is also very competitive in terms of value—unlimited bandwidth and unlimited simultaneous connections are part of every VPN plan. And thanks to its compatibility with multiple devices and platforms, you can download SurkShark on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.

You can subscribe to this no-logs-certified VPN for Europe with a 30-day money-back guarantee. And if you need help, SurfShark’s 24/7 customer support is available for you via live chat and email.

Why Do You Need a VPN for Europe?

You need a VPN for Europe to protect your online activities against data retention and to access geo-restricted content. Here are some of the reasons why using a VPN is a must:

• Secure Your Online Activities – In European countries like Russia and Belarus, Internet freedom is severely restricted. Governments exercise control through active online surveillance that taps into the digital activities of citizens. A VPN will hide what you do online because it wraps your traffic in a layer of encryption that a third party like your ISP cannot break.
• Freely Surf the Internet – Internet freedom means accessing any website or online service, and this is not allowed in certain European countries. A VPN for Europe is a vital tool for bypassing censorship. It allows you to evade firewall filtering that prevents access to censored content. 
• Access Geo-Restricted Content – Some content, like streaming services, are geo-restricted, meaning that they are not available in every country. A VPN spoofs your IP address to make it appear that you are in a different location, thus enabling access to restricted content anywhere in the world.
• Safely Torrent – Your ISP may block access to popular torrenting websites due to copyright infringement. Furthermore, certain countries impose harsh penalties if you are caught downloading copyrighted content. A VPN enables access to P2P applications by hiding your requested downloads and the peers you are connected to. Thus, you can have peace of mind that your torrenting activities will not get you in trouble.

Can You Use a Free VPN for Europe?

Yes, you can use a free VPN for Europe. However, we strongly advise against it due to various privacy and security concerns. Primarily, free VPN services don’t offer the same level of protection as their premium counterparts.

Free VPNs skip out on advanced technologies in favor of basic functionality. This means they lack important features like DNS leak protection and strong encryption. Moreover, the limited number of servers and slow performance restrict your overall experience. 

You’ll likely only be able to choose from a select few (and slow) servers or connect randomly to one the app chooses for you. This means it will be difficult to connect to a specific server in Europe. You also have to consider the fact that free VPN services log and sell data to advertisers for profit. 

To avoid all of that trouble, we strongly recommend picking a provider from our best VPN services.

Final Thoughts

Heavy censorship and government surveillance in some parts of Europe can take away residents’ Internet freedoms. Moreover, geo-restrictions on websites and services prevent content from being freely accessed in certain countries. The right VPN will make all the difference for a safe and seamless online experience in Europe. 

ExpressVPN is our recommendation for the best European VPN thanks to its vast lineup of servers in Europe, blazing-fast and reliable performance, and certified no-logs policy. You can trust this provider to unblock any location-exclusive content in Europe and around the world while ensuring your privacy and keeping your sensitive information secure.

That about wraps it up! Now that you have all the information on how to pick a VPN for Europe let us know your thoughts in the comments below! Thanks for reading.