How to watch Channel 4 from Spain in 2024
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Channel 4 is a British free-to-air public broadcast service that is geographically restricted to the United Kingdom. Viewers from Spain or elsewhere outside the UK must rely on a VPN to bypass the geo-blocks.
A VPN lets you connect to servers in a different country to browse the internet as if you were physically there. In this case, you can connect to a server in the UK to watch Channel 4 from Spain without any restrictions.
In this article, I'll list three streaming VPNs that provide access to local UK content. Their elaborate UK server network and top-notch connection speed not only let you enjoy Channel 4 content from Spain but also unblock other popular streaming sites, like Netflix US. Continue reading to learn how to bypass geo-blocks and stream Channel 4 in Spain with a VPN.
How to watch Channel 4 from Spain with a VPN
- Pick a reliable VPN with servers in the UK. My top pick is NordVPN, now 74% OFF
- Download and install it on your device
- Connect to a server in the United Kingdom
- Launch the All 4 app or go to the channel4.com website
- Use a real UK postcode to create an account and start streaming
Note: To get a working UK postcode, go to Google Maps and select a random location in the UK. Alternatively, you can use a random postcode generator, but that might take a few tries.
Why do you need a VPN to watch Channel 4?
Channel 4 is unavailable outside of the UK because of content licensing agreements and copyright laws. You will get the following error if you try to access its content from Spain or anywhere else outside the UK without a VPN:
That's because the Channel 4 app or website sees your Spanish IP address and therefore denies access. Once you connect to a UK server on your VPN, it will assign you a British IP. This way, Channel 4 identifies you as a local resident and will unblock its vast library of entertaining content.
You will also benefit from numerous VPN cybersecurity features, like strong encryption which protects your traffic from online surveillance. The best VPNs offer Dark Web monitoring to alert you of personal data leaks and anti-malware protection, like NordVPN's Threat Protection Pro feature.
Best VPNs to watch Channel 4 in Spain - shortlist
- NordVPN – the best VPN overall to stream Channel 4 from Spain
- Surfshark – family-friendly VPN to watch Channel 4 outside the UK
- PureVPN – streaming optimized VPN for Spain
Overcoming geographical restrictions is challenging, and some VPNs do it better than others. We reviewed dozens of VPNs' streaming capabilities alongside UK server network size and pricing to avoid overpaying. Here are the 3 best VPNs to watch Channel 4 in Spain.
1. NordVPN – watch Channel 4 from Spain with SmartPlay
| Based in: | 111 |
| UK servers: | 440+ |
| Unblocks Channel 4: | ✅ Yes |
| Best deal: | Get 74% OFF NordVPN + 3 months free |
The best VPN to stream Channel 4 from Spain is NordVPN. This service combines streaming-friendly features with robust cybersecurity benefits at a competitive price.
Servers and streaming. NordVPN offers 440+ servers in the United Kingdom. All servers use SmartPlay technology that enhances evasion of geographical restrictions and grants access to Channel 4 from Spain and other locations outside the UK.
Security. This VPN neutralizes online trackers, disables ads, and monitors the dark web for personal data. Additionally, the Threat Protection Pro scans your apps for vulnerabilities, blocks access to malicious websites, and inspects downloads for malware.
Speeds. During our NordVPN tests, when connected to a UK server it continuously retained over 97% of the initial connection speed. Because the UK is not that far from Spain, you can expect a lag-free experience streaming Channel 4. Simultaneously, NordVPN maintains around 83% in the US, so that you can use it to unblock Disney+ and Hulu content.
Price. NordVPN pricing starts from just $2.99/month for a 2-year plan, which adds 3 bonus months for free and has a 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. Surfshark – affordable VPN to watch Channel 4 from Spain
| Based in: | 100 |
| UK servers: | 210+ |
| Unblocks Channel 4: | ✅ Yes |
| Best deal: | Now up to 87% OFF Surfshark + 4 months FREE |
If you want to watch Channel 4 from Spain on whatever device you use, Surfshark is your best VPN choice. It does not limit concurrent connections, so you can stream it on all devices.
Servers and streaming. You can choose from 212 Surfshark’s UK servers, located in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, and London. Globally, it has 3200+ servers in 100 countries, which is one of the broadest worldwide coverage I've seen, with only NordVPN having a bigger server fleet on my list.
Security. Surfshark uses AES-256 encryption to protect your online activities from surveillance and malicious actors. It's a fully developed cybersecurity tool with a kill switch, split tunneling, and built-in AdBlock.
Speeds. Our Surfshark speed testing shows that it retains at least 94% of the initial connection speed when connected to a UK server, and we encountered around 82% retention in US.
Price. You only have to pay $1.99/month to enjoy Surfshark for 2 years, with 3 extra months and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
3. PureVPN – fast VPN to watch Channel 4 from Spain
| Based in: | 65 |
| UK servers: | 670+ |
| Unblocks Channel 4: | ✅ Yes |
| Best deal: | Now 83% OFF PureVPN + 3 FREE months |
PureVPN is a reliable streaming VPN to unblock Channel 4 from Spain. It has a total of 677 servers in Manchester and London with specialty servers dedicated to streaming.
Servers and streaming. PureVPN has a large fleet of 6000+ servers worldwide. Its 65 countries coverage is a bit narrow, but you will find servers dedicated to streaming quality in the app.
Security. Like others on my list, this VPN uses industry-standard AES-256 encryption for privacy protection. It also protects against DNS and IP leaks, offers multi-hop servers, and stealth mode bypasses VPN restrictions.
Speeds. When we tested PureVPN, it never went below 83% of the original connection speed, which was what we got when connected to UK servers.
Price. PureVPN pricing starts from $2.14/month for a 2-year plan. It adds 2 bonus months and has a 31-day money-back guarantee.
Comparison of best VPNs to watch Channel 4 in Spain
| VPN | Rating | Price | Servers | Servers in the UK | Average speed retention |
| NordVPN | $2.99/month | 6900 | 440+ | 90% | |
| Surfshark | $1.99/month | 3200 | 210+ | 86% | |
| PureVPN | $2.14/month | 6000 | 670+ | 67% |
VPN not working when trying to watch Channel 4 in Spain
Because streaming services like Channel 4 actively block VPN users, you may sometimes encounter VPN streaming errors. Luckily, solutions to most common problems are straightforward. Here's what you can do.
- Check for IP leaks. If Channel 4 is unavailable from Spain while connected to a UK server, double-check your IP address online. If you see your original IP address, your VPN is having an IP leak and you should reconnect to another server and turn on a kill switch.
- Clear cache and cookies. Your browser’s cache and cookies store user data, which can reveal your geographical location. Clear cache and cookies from your browser and try revisiting the Channel 4 website or app.
- Reconnect to another server. If you verified the VPN assigned you a UK IP address but it does not unblock Channel 4, connect to a different UK server because your current one is most likely blocklisted.
If none of the above solutions work, it’s always a good idea to contact your VPN provider’s customer support. They can advise you on the best server to choose from or have other suggestions on why Channel 4 isn’t working with a VPN for you.
What can you watch on Channel 4?
Channel 4 hosts 2000+ shows that are viral in the UK and just as popular worldwide. You will find documentaries, reality TV, movies, TV shows, sports, comedies, and more.
I'm a fan of documentaries, so that's where I went first. The true crime selection is vast and will last you for months, like the 24 Hours in Police Custody documentary. But there are also more relaxed dating shows, like Married at First Sight UK.
The movie selection includes known classics like Trainspotting and Slumdog Millionaire. You will find British classics like Sleepy Hollow and famous worldwide production movies like the Korean blockbuster Parasite.
You risk spending hundreds of hours on the Channel 4 Entertainment category. There's the superstar chef Gordon Ramsay, the crime drama Bones, and the political drama The West Wing. Are you feeling a bit nostalgic? Channel 4 even hosts The X-Files.
Final thoughts
Channel 4 hosts movie and TV show classics from the 90's, all the way up to current viral content. What's more, the service is free without any hidden contracts, so you only have to grab yourself a streaming VPN without paying extra.
During our tests, NordVPN proved to be the best VPN to watch Channel 4 in Spain. There are enough servers to choose from and all use the SmartPlay technology, which supports streaming in HD without buffering. Additionally, it has superb cybersecurity benefits, which are well worth its price.
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