Best VPN for Europe in 2025

Dealing with online restrictions, privacy concerns, or security risks in Europe? Whether you're trying to stream geo-blocked content, secure your data on public Wi-Fi, or bypass censorship, a reliable VPN is essential.

A top-tier VPN encrypts your connection and masks your location, giving you unrestricted access to global content while keeping your data private. By connecting to European servers, you can browse safely and enjoy seamless entertainment.

At Cybernews, we’ve spent over five years rigorously testing and reviewing VPNs for Europe, ensuring our recommendations reflect the latest security standards and market trends. With 41 providers analyzed, I’ve carefully selected the top five that stand out in terms of speed, server coverage, streaming capabilities, and overall security. Whether you need a VPN for privacy, bypassing geo-restrictions, or safeguarding your data on public networks, these options deliver the best performance. Check out my top picks below!

Top 5 Best VPNs for Europe

The best VPN for Europe can help you improve your security, privacy, and access to geo-restricted content.

When you connect to a VPN server in the EU, it will encrypt your personal information and change your virtual location. That way, you can easily watch global movies that are otherwise unavailable in your region.

I’ve tested 41 providers and selected my top 5 in terms of offered servers, speeds, streaming capabilities, and general performance. Read my best EU VPN list below and choose one for yourself.

Best Europe VPNs – detailed list

To identify the best VPN for Europe, my team at Cybernews and I performed a thorough evaluation of numerous VPN providers. We assessed each based on criteria such as server availability across Europe, speed, security, and essential features. After careful analysis, I’ve narrowed it down to my top five VPN picks for Europe, ensuring you have access to the best options for privacy and performance.

1. NordVPN – overall best VPN to use in Europe

My experience using NordVPN

Using NordVPN when traveling in Europe was a great overall experience. It was secure, and fast, and some of the features proved to be really useful. For example, the cutting-edge encryption kept my data safe, whether I was browsing from a café in Paris or connecting to hotel Wi-Fi in Berlin.

The provider also showed excellent connection speeds with the NordLynx protocol. I connected to a server in the Netherlands and reached a 472Mbps download and 443Mbps upload speed. This was perfect for both streaming and working remotely in Europe.

As for features, NordVPN covers a lot of the essentials like a kill switch and split tunneling. I found Threat Protection to be the most useful, though. When traveling in Europe, it is essential because public Wi-Fi networks, common in airports, hotels, and cafés, are often unsecured. They can expose your devices to cyber threats like hacking and data theft. With Threat Protection, you get an extra layer of security that helps block malware, phishing attempts, and malicious websites, keeping your sensitive information safe.

Finally, NordVPN made unblocking streaming platforms and content easy. I could connect from anywhere and maintain access to my go-to streaming platforms, so I didn’t miss an episode or movie while away from home.

Who I recommend NordVPN for

NordVPN is the perfect VPN for anyone traveling or living in Europe who prioritizes security and accessibility. If you’re a digital nomad, a frequent traveler, or an expat, NordVPN’s speed, security, and unblocking capabilities make it easy to work remotely and access local or international content – all while staying private and secure online.

NordVPN with all of its perks comes at an affordable price – starting from $3.09/month for 10 simultaneous connections with a 30-day money-back guarantee. There’s even a free 7-day trial for Android users.

2. Surfshark – EU VPN allowing unlimited devices

My experience with Surfshark

Surfshark was easy to use and provided me with excellent speed and security both during testing and during my travels in Europe. It brings robust security to anyone connecting within Europe or accessing European sites from elsewhere. Plus, their strict no-logs policy and independent privacy audits mean you don’t have to worry about your personal data being tracked.

In terms of speed, Surfshark performed exceptionally well with WireGuard. During my tests, I reached a solid 472Mbps download and 369 Mbps upload speed while connected to a server in France. This is fantastic news for European users who want to stream, browse, or download without any frustrating lag. Whether you’re catching up on a show, video chatting with friends, or just scrolling through social media, you’ll enjoy a seamless experience.

When you’re connecting from Europe, features like a kill switch and split tunneling really enhance your online safety. I think that the kill switch is especially useful when you're browsing on public Wi-Fi in cafes or airports, which happened to me a lot when I was in Europe. If your VPN connection drops, it automatically shuts down your internet access. This way, you’re protected from potential threats on those unsecured networks. Surfshark also offers some great extras, like Camouflage Mode, which makes it harder for anyone to detect you're using a VPN. This one was especially useful when streaming: During my tests, I’ve unblocked Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and other popular platforms with no major efforts. There are even dedicated apps for streaming devices, including the Fire TV. This level of accessibility ensures that no matter where you are in Europe, you can stay connected to your entertainment.

Who I recommend Surfshark for

Surfshark is an excellent option for those who need a reliable VPN for Europe but are on a budget – Surfshark is among the most affordable VPN services with prices starting from $2.19/month for unlimited simultaneous connections with a 30-day money-back guarantee included. You can also try it for free on Mac, iOS, and Android devices. Besides being affordable, this VPN also suits those who prioritize speed, and security, and require a VPN that will help them stay connected with their loved ones or catch up to streaming content both locally and internationally.

3. IPVanish – excellent VPN for traveling to Europe

My experience with IPVanish

My experience with IPVanish was really positive in all aspects when in Europe. It has strong encryption to protect my data online. Also, its strict no-logs policy, independently audited by Leviathan, guaranteed that my data wasn’t collected or stored. This commitment to privacy is crucial in Europe where data protection is increasingly important, and allowed me to browse and stream confidently without the fear of my digital footprint being tracked.

IPVanish also had great speeds with the WireGuard tunneling protocol. I tested a server located in Germany which gave us a 465Mbps download and 395bps upload speed. I could enjoy buffer-free streaming and seamless browsing both at home and when traveling in Europe.

European users will also appreciate IPVanish's incredibly beneficial features like a kill switch, split-tunneling, and obfuscation. I found the obfuscation feature to be the most useful, as it allowed me to enjoy unrestricted access to content even in countries with heavy online restrictions. I tried unblocking multiple streaming platforms with IPVanish and successfully accessed Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and YouTube. You can also get dedicated apps for Fire TV devices, whether you’re traveling or looking to access content from different regions.

Who I recommend IPVanish efor

IPVanish is a perfect VPN for those traveling to Europe from overseas and looking to stay connected with their home countries. It offers a high number of worldwide servers, especially in locations like the US or Europe. IPVanish prices start from $2.19/month. But you can always get a full refund with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

4. Proton VPN – best free VPN for Europe

My experience with Proton VPN

I had an overall positive experience with Proton VPN. It has a nice, easy-to-use interface, and plenty of good features for Europe. I find that it’s also a strong choice for European users seeking top-level privacy and security. It ensures secure and fast connections and its open-source commitment and no-logs policy provide additional trust, making Proton VPN reliable for safeguarding data and privacy online. For more information on how this VPN secures your data, read the Proton VPN review.

During my tests, Proton VPN delivered solid speeds of 433Mbps download and 354Mbps upload when connected to a server in Germany with the WireGuard protocol. I could enjoy smooth streaming, quick downloads, and reliable browsing wherever in Europe I was. I also managed to unblock BBC iPlayer, Netflix, and HBO Max with no major interruptions. So you can definitely try using this provider to access geo-restricted content while in Europe.

Plus, I find Proton VPN apps super easy to use, making it effortless to find and switch between features. Besides the standard VPN features like a kill switch and split tunneling, Proton VPN’s Speed Accelerator is a great feature for anyone traveling to Europe, as it helps keep your connection fast and stable. This feature isn’t available in the free version, so upgrading to the premium version before your trip is a smart move for reliable speeds.

Who I recommend Proton VPN for

ProtonVPN is great for anyone looking for a simple but fast VPN with a free version. Although the free tier is limited only to a few locations, and the VPN Accelerator feature is available only with paid plans, it still provides excellent speeds in Europe. What’s also worth mentioning is that Proton VPN offers affordable subscription prices starting from $3.59/month for 10simultaneous connections. You can always try it risk-free with its free version.

5. PureVPN – solid VPN for streaming in Europe

My experience with PureVPN

Overall, I found PureVPN easy and pleasant to use. What impressed me the most though is that this provider is the only one that offers a no-logs policy called Always-n Audit. This means that the independent auditing firm KPMG can assess compliance at any time. In a region like Europe, where data privacy concerns are on the rise, this level of transparency is crucial for peace of mind.

Besides excellent privacy protection PureVPN is also pretty fast. It uses the well-known WireGuard tunneling protocol which allowed our team during testing to reach a whopping 468Mbps download speed and 388Mbps upload speed. This is especially beneficial for those Europeans who value fast and reliable connections. I performed detailed tests and received good speed results.

In terms of features, PureVPN didn’t have much to offer besides the standard kill switch, leak protection, and split tunneling to enhance online security. I found it a bit lacking in comparison to NordVPN and Surfshark. Nevertheless, it’s a good basic option for Europe.

Streaming was also decent with PureVPN. During my tests, I’ve unblocked Netflix, BBC iPlayer and Hulu with no issues. In my opinion, it’s a great streaming VPN that can help you enjoy global content from Europe and anywhere in the world.

Who I recommend PureVPN for

PureVPN is a good choice if you’re looking for something simple yet functional, and need a VPN for everyday browsing without requiring much more. You can get a PureVPN subscription for $4.07/month with support 10 simultaneous connections. Moreover, there’s a 31-day money-back guarantee which is longer than what other providers are offering.

Best VPN for Europe – comparison table

Europe VPN providers	Rating	Price	Servers in Europe	Privacy policy	Based in	Compatibility
NordVPN	4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★	$3.09/month	2500+ servers	No logs, Independently audited	Panama (outside the 14 Eyes alliance)	Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS
Sufshark	4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★	$2.19/month	31 servers	No logs, Independently audited	The Netherlands (in the 14 Eyes alliance)	Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS
IPvanish	4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★	$2.19/month	530+ servers	No logs, Independently audited	United States (in the 14 Eyes alliance)	Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS
Proton VPN	4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆	$3.59/month	1258+ servers	No logs	Switzerland (outside the 14 Eyes alliance)	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
PureVPN	4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆	$4.07/month	769+ servers	No logs, Always-on audit	British Virgin Islands (outside the 14 Eyes alliance)	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS

How I selected and tested these VPNs

An excellent VPN service consists of many variables. Therefore, I’ve reviewed 41 different providers to help you find the best VPN for Europe. These are the criteria used during the testing process:

• Global and EU servers (30%). It’s essential for a VPN to have a wide selection of servers to provide top-class services. Likewise, I’ve picked VPNs that can offer large server fleets, including the ones in Europe.
• Unblocking capabilities (20%). Since streaming platforms are actively blacklisting VPNs, only the best VPNs for streaming can remain undetected. My selected providers easily unblock Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and other popular sites.
• Security and speed (20%). These two are truly essential aspects when choosing a VPN for Europe or any other country. As a result, my picked providers offer blazing-fast speeds with the revolutionary WireGuard tunneling protocol and strong security with military-grade AES-256 encryption.
• Compatibility (15%). Since users have multiple and different devices, it’s vital that a VPN would be highly compatible. I’ve examined each provider’s offerings and selected only those that support all major operating systems and have user-friendly apps.
• Additional features (10%). Apart from providing the essentials like a kill switch and split tunneling, top-notch VPNs include some extras. For example, I’ve picked providers that also offer threat protection and ad blockers.
• Available specialty servers (5%). Every user has different needs when it comes to VPNs. Thus, I’ve tested whether providers have specialty servers, like obfuscated or P2P servers that could improve your experience when using a VPN.

Why do you need a VPN for Europe?

The Virtual Private Network (VPN) reroutes your traffic through a secure server and can be useful in the EU for the following reasons:

• Improve privacy. Unfortunately, many EU countries are part of Nine Eyes and Fourteen Eyes alliances. They intend to collect data about their citizens and share it amongst the member countries. A VPN for Europe can encrypt your traffic and make data inaccessible to anyone.
• Increase security. Premium VPNs are also excellent at helping you to stay safe. Some of them even include such features as data breach monitoring or an ad blocker to protect your data and remove potentially malicious advertisements.
• Unblock global content. Major streaming service providers use region-based restrictions on their content meaning that movies available for Americans are not accessible if you’re in Europe. A VPN can help you, for example, change your Netflix region, and unblock US content from the EU. This applies to Hulu, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and major streaming platforms as well.
• Access restricted websites. Certain pages, like online gambling and betting sites, are restricted in Europe. However, if you get a reputable VPN and connect to a specific server, you can access Roobet or other websites.
• Enjoy torrenting. Since sharing files on P2P networks requires extensive bandwidth usage, the ISP might throttle your connection. Also, torrenting is heavily restricted in many EU countries. Luckily, a VPN for torrenting can help you remain anonymous and allow torrenting in Europe without any interruptions.

How to set up a VPN for Europe

Using a VPN for Europe is quite simple if you choose a top-class VPN with user-friendly apps. Here are the generic instructions on how to set it up on your device:

Get #1 VPN for Europe

Best VPN for Europe: final verdict

After thoroughly testing and evaluating VPNs with the Cybernews team, I found that NordVPN is the best option for Europe. It has everything I need—strong encryption, a strict no-logs policy, and over 2,500 servers across the EU. Whether I’m streaming, using public Wi-Fi at a café, or bypassing geo-restrictions, NordVPN delivers fast and reliable performance. My data stays encrypted, keeping me safe from ISP tracking and ensuring my online activities remain private.

Even though most EU countries don’t heavily monitor internet activity, I still prefer the extra security that NordVPN provides. Plus, it works seamlessly with popular streaming services, so I can easily switch my virtual location and unlock American Netflix or other restricted content whenever I want.

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