How to change the region on Netflix: working methods in July 2026
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If you watch Netflix often, you’ve likely seen that the available shows and movies change depending on your location. Each country has its own content library, which is why a series like The Office might appear in the UK catalog but not in the US. Netflix determines what you can watch based on your IP address and regional licensing agreements.
The good news is that you can change your Netflix region to access more content and explore international Netflix libraries, or keep watching your favorite shows while traveling abroad. And if you're only traveling for a short time, Netflix's own "I'm traveling" setting covers you without needing to change anything else.
After trying out several methods, I found that using a reliable VPN is generally the most consistent option, though it isn't guaranteed to work every time — Netflix actively blocks known VPN IP addresses. A VPN routes your connection through servers in other countries, making it appear as though you’re streaming from a different region. Still, it’s important to realize that this only changes the IP address Netflix sees — it doesn't change your account's registration country or payment method, and it goes against Netflix's terms of service.
In this guide, I explain how to change your Netflix region, what the process involves – and what you should know about the risks first.
If you’re using an ad-supported Netflix plan, changing your region will come with limitations. It’s only possible to change to another region that also has ad-supported Netflix plans. Otherwise, changing to another region will result in an error message. Therefore, your region options are limited to the following 12 countries: Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
When a VPN can help you access another Netflix region
Netflix licenses its content on a country-by-country basis, so what you're allowed to stream depends on your account's detected location – not just your subscription. If a movie or TV show isn't licensed in the country you're connecting from, it won't be available in your catalog.
Usually, your catalog simply changes to match the country you're connected from, but if you’ve selected a specific title and it’s not available in this region, you’ll see the “Oh no! This title currently isn’t available to watch in your country.” error message.
A high-quality VPN changes the IP address that Netflix uses to estimate your location, which can affect the content library you're shown. However, it doesn't alter your account's registered country, payment details, or billing information.
| What you need | What it requires | Can a VPN help? |
| Access to another country's Netflix library | An IP address different from the one in your home country | ✅ Yes |
| Permanently changing your account's country | Canceling and restarting your account from within the new country, with a local payment method | ❌ No |
Netflix also actively identifies and restricts access from many known VPN servers, so using a VPN doesn't guarantee access to a different region's catalog. If Netflix detects you're using a VPN or proxy, or can't reliably determine your location, it may display a location- or proxy-related E106 error code instead, or a message that says “You seem to be using a VPN or proxy. Please turn off any of these services and try again.”
If you’re traveling short-term and just want your usual library to keep working, you don’t need any of this. Netflix's built-in "I'm Traveling" setting changes your location natively, no VPN required.
How to change region on Netflix with a VPN
- Download and install a VPN that can change the Netflix region – NordVPN is my top recommendation for a reliable VPN provider
- Connect to a VPN server in a country with the Netflix content you want to watch
- Open Netflix and refresh the window – you’ll now see the content of the country you’re connected to
VPN recommendations for changing the Netflix region
If you'd rather not search for a Netflix VPN yourself, here are the three providers we found most consistently reliable for accessing other regions on the platform:
- NordVPN – overall best provider for changing your Netflix region. NordVPN remains my top recommendation thanks to its fast speeds, reliable streaming, and strong security. Plans start at $3.49/month, offering excellent value for the features you get. Servers: thousands in 224 locations. Speed retention rate: 84%. Devices: 10 simultaneous connections.
- Surfshark – a fast and budget-friendly streaming VPN. Surfshark continues to be one of the most affordable options, starting at just $2.49/month. Despite the low price, it delivers reliable streaming performance. Servers: 4,500+ and 100 countries. Speed retention rate: 83%. Devices: Unlimited connections.
- IPVanish – a well-rounded VPN for changing your Netflix country. Priced from $2.19/month, IPVanish is an affordable yet powerful option that combines strong security features with smooth, buffer-free streaming. Servers: 3,400+ servers in 150 locations. Speed retention rate: 74%. Devices: Unlimited devices.
How to change the Netflix region on your device – detailed guide
To change your Netflix location, you don’t have to go miles if you’re using a market-leading VPN. With current technologies, VPN apps help you switch your Netflix library on all your household devices with a few clicks.
In the following guide, I show you how to set up a VPN and change your region on any device, including iPhone, Android, gaming consoles, and smart TVs. In my examples, I use NordVPN, but the process will be pretty much the same with any VPN provider.
- Subscribe to a reputable VPN service, preferably one that’s optimized for streaming.
- Install the VPN on your preferred device. A VPN browser extension also works with Netflix on desktop. If you want to use a gaming console or smart TV, install the VPN directly on the device, or set up a VPN on your router instead.
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Log in to your VPN account and connect to a server in the country you want to watch from. For example, some shows like The Office are not available to the US-based Netflix users. To stream this show, you want to connect to a server in the UK.
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Open or reload Netflix. If the catalog doesn't update, restarting the app or occasionally clearing its cache on mobile devices may help.
- If Netflix detects the VPN, you may see a proxy/VPN error or be unable to access the desired regional catalog. In that case, disconnecting the VPN or trying a different server may help resolve the issue.
On phones, it's not just your IP address that can reveal your location – the Netflix app itself can also check your device's GPS as an additional signal. And a VPN doesn't touch GPS. If your library still shows your home country after connecting, go into your phone's settings and turn off location access for the Netflix app specifically (not the App Store or Google Play Store – that's a separate setting and won't affect what Netflix shows you).
What to do if you can’t change your Netflix region with a VPN?
While the top VPNs have a high success rate of accessing Netflix, issues can still occur. If you’ve connected to a VPN and still can’t see your desired region, here are a few ways to solve this issue:
- Clear cache or use incognito mode. Netflix may store cached data that interferes with region changes. Using incognito mode or clearing browser/app cache often fixes this issue, so try these quick fixes first.
- Try another server. Before trying any other techniques, try connecting to a different server in the same country. It could be that Netflix blocks the server you have chosen, and simply changing it and reloading Netflix might work.
- Avoid static IP addresses. Shared static IP addresses are usually less reliable for accessing Netflix, as thousands of users use them, and Netflix may already have them blocked.
- Change your DNS settings. Even with a VPN enabled, your DNS can leak. Switch to OpenDNS (208.67.222.222, 208.67.220.220) or your VPN provider’s DNS servers (e.g., NordVPN: 103.86.96.100, 103.86.99.100) to keep everything routed through the VPN.
- Get a dedicated IP address. This will be yours only, making it unlikely to be blocked by Netflix.
- Try another VPN. Not all VPNs are equally streaming-friendly, so make sure to pick a reliable VPN that supports streaming.
Issues like these can happen even with well-regarded VPNs, since Netflix continually updates its VPN-blocking measures. Opt for providers with streaming-optimized servers and IP address rotation to lower the risk of blocking.
How to change Netflix region without a VPN
Using a VPN is generally the most consistent way to change your Netflix region, but it’s not the only option – and depending on your situation, you may not need one at all.
If you're traveling for a short time, you don't need a VPN or any workaround. Netflix's built-in "I'm Traveling" setting lets you keep accessing your usual library while abroad — it's the official, no-VPN option. But if you want a different region's library rather than your own, here are the other non-VPN options:
- Proxy servers. A proxy server acts as a middleman between you and Netflix. Unfortunately, it doesn't encrypt traffic. Furthermore, proxies are often overcrowded, which leads to laggy streaming. If you do choose this method, I don’t recommend using public or free proxies, as they are slow and will most likely be blocked by Netflix.
- Smart DNS. Smart DNS works by rerouting certain DNS requests so compatible streaming services may treat your connection as if it's coming from a different country. Unlike a VPN, it doesn't encrypt your internet traffic or provide additional privacy or security. Some Smart DNS providers support only the US Smart DNS addresses, meaning you’ll only get to the Netflix US library this way. And as with VPNs, Netflix actively blocks methods used to bypass regional licensing.
- Remote desktop services. Another option is using a remote desktop service – a computer in your required location that you can connect to remotely. But the truth is, this service is hard to attain and quite expensive.
Of these, a VPN generally offers the best mix of reliability and encryption – though as covered above, it only helps with the IP-based part of changing your Netflix region.
How many Netflix versions are available?
There’s one big reason to change your Netflix region — to gain access to one of Netflix’s 190+ diverse international streaming libraries. If you’re looking for fresh content or new shows to dive into, exploring other countries’ catalogs can be a game-changer.
Keep in mind that the number of titles varies over time due to licensing and regional demand. This list highlights where some of the richest Netflix libraries are located as of February 2025.
| Country | Number of titles in the Netflix library |
| Iceland | 9765 |
| Slovenia | 8883 |
| Latvia | 8799 |
| Lithuania | 8796 |
| Cyprus | 8793 |
| Estonia | 8765 |
| Liechtenstein | 8518 |
| Luxembourg | 8321 |
| Slovakia | 8193 |
| Spain | 8165 |
| Romania | 8111 |
| United Kingdom | 8010 |
| Portugal | 7978 |
| Philippines | 7848 |
| Thailand | 7520 |
Final thoughts
As of mid-2026, the movies and shows available on Netflix still vary by location, but there’s no need to travel to access a different library. A VPN can change the IP address Netflix sees, which is usually enough to browse another region's library – but it won't move your account itself. Permanently changing your Netflix region still means canceling and restarting your account from within that country, with a local payment method. If you're only away for a short stretch, you can skip all of this and just use "I'm Traveling" instead.
If you do want to try a VPN, I recommend NordVPN, which offers reliable streaming performance and strong security. Most reputable providers also offer a free trial or money-back guarantee, so you can test whether one works for your specific region before committing.
FAQ
How to change a country on Netflix?
Using a high-quality VPN is the best way to change your country on Netflix and access foreign content. The software reroutes your traffic through another region, giving you a different IP address. Then, you can access movies and TV shows from that country.
How does Netflix know that I am using a VPN?
Netflix monitors IP addresses, and if several different devices use a single IP address, it raises suspicions and blocks that IP address. It also tracks the account’s registration location. So, if you registered in one country but keep changing your IP addresses, Netflix can easily detect VPN-related activity.
Is it legal to change your location on Netflix?
Yes, it’s legal to change your Netflix location using a VPN or by other means. However, it does go against Netflix’s terms of service. In practice, Netflix typically responds by blocking access from the VPN server's IP address rather than banning the account, though violations of the terms of service always carry some risk to your account standing.
Can I access multiple Netflix regions at the same time?
No, you can’t access multiple Netflix regions simultaneously because you can only be in one country at a time. However, using a VPN to change your location allows you to switch between Netflix libraries almost instantly – and without traveling anywhere.
How to watch Netflix from other countries?
You can watch Netflix outside your home country by enabling the I’m traveling setting to access your Netflix account outside your household. You can also use a VPN and connect to a server in your home or a foreign country to access movies and TV shows from other regions.
How should I change my Netflix region if I have moved to another country?
To change Netflix's country after moving, cancel your current account first. Netflix will save your viewing data for 10 months. Wait until the end of your billing period, then restart your account in the new country, ensuring you are physically present there. Note that pricing, billing currency, and content selection will vary, and you may need to update your profile maturity ratings and parental controls accordingly.
Does changing my region with a VPN change my Netflix account billing?
No, changing your Netflix region with a VPN does not change your billing country or payment details. You can only change the billing country of your Netflix account by canceling it and restarting it when you’re in a different country.
