How to get a UK IP address in 2026

In this guide, I show you the easiest way to get a UK IP address without any complications. The best part? You don’t need to be in the UK at all. With a reliable VPN, you can make it happen right from your couch.

There are plenty of reasons you might want a UK IP. Maybe you’re from the UK and traveling abroad, only to realize your favorite content is suddenly unavailable. Or maybe you simply enjoy British shows and want full access to them from another country.

To figure out which VPNs actually deliver, I teamed up with Cybernews researchers and ran a series of hands-on tests. Keep reading to see my top UK VPN picks and learn exactly how to set up a UK IP address step by step.

How to get a UK IP address with a VPN

1. Choose a trustworthy VPN with plenty of UK servers – I recommend NordVPN, now 75% off
2. Download and open your VPN app
3. Connect to a UK server from the list of available servers
4. Once you’re connected, you have a UK IP address and can access British content

Best VPNs to get a UK IP address: shortlist

1. NordVPN – best VPN for a UK IP address in 2026
2. Surfshark – best price-to-quality ratio VPN with unlimited connections
3. IPVanish – budget-friendly VPN to get UK IP address
4. ExpressVPN – premium VPN with UK servers, focused on security
5. CyberGhost – VPN with plenty of servers to get a UK IP address

Why do you need a UK IP address?

You need a UK IP address if you want to enjoy UK TV services while out of the country. But that’s not the only case where changing your IP address is beneficial. Here are a few other reasons to have a UK IP address:

• Banking and government sites. These local services will often restrict access if traffic is not coming from within the UK. If you’re living abroad but still maintain a bank account in the UK, you might need a UK IP address to gain access to your own account.
• Entertainment and streaming. Netflix UK, BBC iPlayer, and other UK-only streaming services need a UK IP address for access. Even UK residents on a short trip abroad are restricted from watching their favorite shows on vacation. By connecting to a VPN and using a UK server, it can be like you are located in London, Manchester, or another city that has VPN servers.
• Local sporting events. Don’t want to miss a single match? A UK IP address can ensure you can live stream your favorite sporting events, like F1 British Grand Prix or Wimbledon, from the platforms you use at home.
• Changes in other sites. There are other unexpected websites where a UK IP address can come in handy. Spotify, for example, can restrict you from logging into your account if you’re out of the country for too long. Or, you might find flight tickets more expensive from the country you’re currently in.
• Security and privacy. The UK is a member of the Five Eyes alliance, meaning that the British or other intelligence members can access your data when needed. However, by using a VPN and even changing your current UK IP address to the VPN-given UK IP address, you can mask your online identity and stay anonymous.

How to get a UK IP address: step-by-step instructions

Getting a UK IP address is simple, and you can achieve it by following these steps:

1. Download and install a reputable VPN provider onto your preferred device – I recommend NordVPN because it has 960+ UK servers

   

2. Launch the app and log in – if you don’t yet have a NordVPN account, now’s the time to create one
3. Connect to the UK server to get a new UK IP address

   

Get a UK IP address with NordVPN

How to choose a VPN for a UK IP address

While I have my research and hands-on experience-based recommendations for the best VPN to get the UK IP address, your selection will depend on your needs. Whether you need a UK IP address to stream shows, play games, or enhance your online security – there are a few criteria you should consider.

Servers:	UK servers
Unblocks:	BBC iPlayer, Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube TV, and more
Fast tunneling protocols:	WireGuard, NordLynx, Lightway
Encryption:	AES-256, ChaCha20
Privacy:	Independently audited no-logs policy

• Servers. The best VPN to get a UK IP address should contain a large server fleet with servers in the UK, so you can easily change your IP address to the UK one. Note that the more UK servers a VPN has, the less likely you are to face connectivity issues.
• Streaming capabilities. If a VPN ticks the server box, you should also look into its streaming capabilities. Make sure a VPN bypasses geo-restrictions, so you can watch BBC iPlayer and access British libraries on Netflix, Disney+, or Amazon Prime Video, and other popular platforms.
• Performance and speeds. Choose a provider that runs on speedy tunneling protocols, such as NordLynx or WireGuard. This way, you’ll have a fast VPN with a seamless online experience while connected to the UK server, without any buffering or lag.
• Security. A VPN must secure your online activities with the most robust encryption, and I recommend choosing one that covers AES-256 and ChaCha20 encryption.
• Privacy. Look for a VPN that has an independently audited no-logs policy, so the provider doesn’t retain your activity logs. A VPN with RAM-only servers also offers extra privacy, as they forget all data once servers are rebooted.
• Value for money. A reliable VPN that you can change your IP address to the UK one shouldn’t break your bank. From my experience, you don’t need to sacrifice value when opting for budget-friendly options, and premium VPNs don’t always offer what you need.

How can I get a free UK IP address?

While it might be tempting to snag a VPN that advertises itself as free, I’ve got some less risky alternatives for you. Free VPNs have a nasty reputation for collecting and selling user data, failing to get around geo-restrictions, and having an overall unpleasant user experience.

Instead of getting trapped in the uncertain world of free VPNs, I suggest using a trustworthy VPN with a generous money-back guarantee or free trial. For example, all of the VPNs I recommended in this guide are also nominated as the best VPN for the UK overall. That means they’re tested and have proven to unblock various streaming sites, like BBC iPlayer. Also, they offer all the privacy, security, and performance features you need, and they come without a significant upfront investment.

All of my recommended VPNs offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. That means you can purchase a plan, fully test out the VPN and its features, and still get a full refund if you change your mind within 30 days.

Alternatively, you can use a free trial if you just need a few days to access a UK site or if you’re not ready to jump in head first. For Android users, you can get a 3-day NordVPN free trial through the Play Store. Meanwhile, Surfshark has a 7-day free trial for iOS, macOS, and Android.

Other ways to get a UK IP

While a UK VPN is the easiest way to get a UK IP address, it’s not the only option. Here are some alternatives:

• Proxy. Route your connection through a UK server, so websites think you’re browsing from the UK. Unlike VPNs, they don’t encrypt your traffic, and speeds can be slow with limited security.
• Tor network. Sends your traffic through multiple servers to hide your real location. You can exit through a UK node for a British IP, but it’s usually much slower than a VPN, making streaming or downloads frustrating.
• VPS (Virtual Private Server). Lets you set up your own UK-based server for faster speeds and more control. This method is more complex and generally costs more.

Final thoughts

A UK IP address can help you access British content whether you’re traveling outside the UK or live abroad permanently. If you want to watch BBC iPlayer or access British content libraries on popular streaming platforms, like Netflix, employing a reliable VPN with UK servers is the best solution. Once you’re connected to a UK-based server, you automatically get a UK IP address.

After testing top VPNs myself, I recommend NordVPN. First and foremost, it has 960+ UK servers that are fast, stable, and reliable. On top of that, NordVPN has features that ensure smooth and speedy streaming, as well as top-notch security and privacy. This provider offers a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 3-day free trial (for Android), so you can test it out risk-free.

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