How to watch German TV online in the USA (2026)
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Trying to watch German TV like ARD, ZDF, or Das Erste from the US can be frustrating. Most of these channels restrict their content to viewers in Germany due to licensing rules, so you’ll likely hit a geo-block when trying to access from the US. The good news? There are simple, reliable ways to get around it.
In this guide, I’ll show you how to watch German TV online in the USA in 2026. You’ll learn which platforms work, how VPNs help you access geo-restricted content, and which services are worth your time. I’ll also walk you through the setup process and how to stream German channels smoothly on your preferred devices.
How to watch German TV with a VPN
- Get a VPN with German servers – I recommend NordVPN, now 75% OFF
- Download and install the VPN app onto your device
- Connect to a server in Germany
- Open the German TV website or app you want to access
- Sign in or set up an account and enjoy streaming your favorite German TV from the US
Why you should use a VPN to stream German TV
Germany has some of the most popular TV shows and channels around the world. Unfortunately, popular German content is often restricted for viewers in the USA and other countries. This is because German TV companies must comply with strict licensing agreements, copyright laws, and broadcasting rights.
If you try to watch geo-blocked content, such as ZDF, from the US or elsewhere outside Germany, you’ll likely see an error message like this one: “Dieser Inhalt ist in deinem Land nicht verfügbar. Aus rechtlichen Gründen können diese Inhalte nur in Deutschland gezeigt werden.” This message warns that the content you’re trying to access isn’t available in your country and that, for legal reasons, it can only be shown in Germany.
The good news is that it’s possible to bypass German TV restrictions so you can watch it from the US or anywhere else. All you need to do is download a reliable VPN and connect to a server in Germany. This will give you a German IP address, mask your actual location, and allow you to unblock German content anonymously from anywhere.
Top 3 best VPNs to watch German TV
- NordVPN – best VPN for watching German TV from anywhere
- Surfshark – great-value plans and fast speeds for streaming
- IPVanish – solid solution for unblocking region-restricted content
It’s not difficult to use a VPN to unblock German TV from the US. The only challenge is finding a VPN that’s strong enough to unblock the content you want. Although most providers claim to bypass region restrictions, many are detected and blocked by the streaming platforms themselves.
To help you avoid this frustration, together with a team of researchers, I assessed 41 VPNs and narrowed it down to 3 providers that consistently unblock German TV channels from abroad. I also made sure each offers strong security, fast speeds, and good value for money.
1. NordVPN – best VPN for unblocking German TV from the US
| Servers and countries: | Thousands of servers in 224 locations |
| Streaming services: | Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more |
| Compatible with: | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Android TV, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, Roku, Kodi, Samsung TV |
| Current deal: | Get 75% OFF NordVPN + 3 months free |
No matter what German TV channels or streaming services you want to watch, NordVPN is the best solution for the job. It has an impressive fleet of thousands of secure global servers, including over 240 servers in Germany (Berlin, Frankfurt, and Hamburg). This means it can unblock pretty much any online German TV channel or streaming service you could want, including ZDF, Das Erste, and German Netflix.
According to our NordVPN review, its unbreakable security makes it one of the most secure VPNs we’ve ever tested. And it uses its own NordLynx protocol to deliver lightning-fast speeds.
Prices start from $3.49/month for a 2-year Basic plan. You also get a 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. Surfshark – fastest speeds for streaming geo-blocked content
| Servers and countries: | 4,500+ servers in 100 countries |
| Streaming services: | Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and more |
| Compatible with: | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku |
| Current deal: | Now up to 85% OFF Surfshark + 3 months FREE |
If you want to stream German TV on as many devices as you want without struggling with buffering, consider Surfshark. It's also one of the cheapest services, and you can further lower the price with the Surfshark coupon code: OFFCN. It has more than 4,500 international servers, including in Germany. Therefore, Surfshark can easily unblock German streaming and TV channels, including ZDF, RTL, and Das Erste.
As stated by our expert Surfshark review, this provider delivers some of the fastest speeds we’ve experienced with any VPN. It also offers strong security features, including AES-256 encryption and a no-logs policy, to protect your data.
Plans start from just $2.49/month with a 2-year Starter plan. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can also check our exclusive Surfshark coupon codes for the best possible price.
3. IPVanish – cheap option with capable security
| Servers and countries: | 3,400+ servers in 112 countries |
| Streaming services: | Netflix, BBC iPlayer, YouTube, Disney+, Hulu, and more |
| Compatible with: | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast |
| Coupons: | Now up to 83% OFF IPVanish |
If your budget requires a low-cost solution that doesn’t compromise on the essentials, IPVanish is a solid choice. Although it has a relatively modest network of 3,400 servers, it includes dedicated locations in Germany. Most importantly, during testing, IPVanish gave me access to each German platform I tried.
Even though it’s not expensive, our in-depth IPVanish review confirms that this VPN offers strong security and fast speeds. It also has Threat Protection, a suite of anti-malware and ad-blocking tools to improve your online experience.
Starting at $2.19/month for a 2-year Essential plan, IPVanish is a great VPN for watching German TV. It also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 7-day free trial for Android and iOS devices.
German TV channels you can watch with a VPN
By using a VPN, you can access any of the most popular German TV channels from anywhere in the world, including:
- ZDF
- Das Erste
- RTL
- Sat.1
- Vox
- ProSieben
- Kabel Eins
- ZDFneo
- NDR Fernsehen
You can also use a VPN to watch German versions of international streaming services, such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+.
How to watch German TV in your country
No matter where you are in the world, you can watch pretty much all the German TV content you like, provided you have a strong VPN with German servers that can bypass regional restrictions. Here are quick guides to help you bypass German geo-blocks and stream your favorite shows from anywhere.
How to watch German TV in the USA
Currently, there are no streaming services or cable TV packages in the US that show ZDF or other German TV channels. This means you need a VPN to unblock the geo-restricted content. Here’s how to do it:
- Choose a VPN with plenty of servers in Germany – I recommend NordVPN for this
- Download and install the software
- Connect to a server in Germany
- Head to the German website or app you want to access and either sign in or set up an account
- Sit back, relax, and start streaming
How to watch German TV in the UK
Although some German TV channels, including ZDF, are broadcast in a few countries across Europe, they’re not available in the UK. Therefore, to watch German content, you need a VPN that can bypass these regional restrictions. Here’s what you need to do:
- Select a VPN with plenty of servers in Germany – I suggest NordVPN
- Download and install the VPN app
- Connect to a server in Germany
- Launch the German website or app you want to watch and either log in or create an account
- Find your favorite shows and start streaming
How to watch German TV abroad
Although a few countries offer some access to German channels, most content is only available in Germany. Therefore, if you’re abroad, you must use a VPN to connect to a German server to unblock your favorite shows. Just follow these simple steps to get started quickly:
- Choose a VPN with plenty of servers in Germany – my favorite option for this is NordVPN
- Download and install the software
- Connect to a server in Germany
- Open the website or app you want to stream and either sign in or register for a subscription
- Grab a snack and enjoy streaming
Watch German TV on your devices
You can use almost any smart device to stream German TV from abroad. The process is simple, but the steps may vary slightly depending on the device. Here are short step-by-step guides to help you stream German TV on your smart device.
Watch German TV on your smart device
Most platforms and devices work seamlessly with VPNs, but some streaming sticks don’t support VPN apps (like Roku). Still, you can access location-restricted content on any streaming stick or smart TV by connecting your VPN to your Wi-Fi router. Just follow these steps:
- Choose a VPN with a fleet of German servers – NordVPN is the best choice for this
- Download and install the VPN software and connect it to your Wi-Fi router
- Connect to a server in Germany
- Insert your streaming stick into your smart TV via the HDMI port
- Turn on your TV and select a German TV app from your streaming stick’s home screen
- Sign in or create an account
- Find the show you want to watch and start watching
It’s worth noting that, for example, Amazon Fire TV Sticks support VPNs. This means you can download a VPN app directly onto your Fire TV Stick instead.
Watch German TV on Roku
As I’ve already mentioned, Roku doesn't support VPN apps. But here again, you can still use it to watch German TV from anywhere by connecting your VPN directly to your Wi-Fi router. Here’s how:
- Choose a VPN with a range of German servers – NordVPN is my number-one choice for this
- Download and install the software and connect it to your Wi-Fi router
- Connect to a server in Germany
- Insert your streaming stick into your smart TV using the HDMI port
- Switch on your TV and select any German TV app from the Roku home screen
- Log in or register for an account
- Enjoy watching all the German TV you want
How to watch German television online for free
Most major German TV channels, including ZDF, ARD, and RTL, are free to air. So you don’t need to pay for a subscription to stream them. However, if you’re trying to watch from outside Germany, you’ll still need a reliable VPN to bypass all regional restrictions.
While most free VPNs claim to be capable of bypassing geo-blocks, most rely on poor-quality servers that are easily detected and blocked by streaming platforms.
If you want to access German content from abroad without spending anything, I suggest using a freemium provider – a limited version of a paid solution. For example, Proton VPN has a free plan with reasonable security and performance.
However, if you only want to use a VPN while traveling or to binge-watch a particular show, you might be able to use a free trial VPN. All the providers I suggested in this guide come with free trials and 30-day money-back guarantees.
Once the trial has run out, here’s how much a subscription will cost you:
- NordVPN – with over 240 servers in Germany and unbeatable security, NordVPN is my favorite choice for unblocking German TV. Prices start from just $3.49/month.
- Surfshark – if you want some of the fastest speeds around and exceptional value for money, look no further than Surfshark. Subscriptions start from just $2.49/month.
- IPVanish – if you’re on a tight budget, but you don’t want to skimp on security, I recommend IPVanish. Paid plans start from $2.19/month.
German TV streaming apps
Germany has plenty of popular streaming services with incredible content. Here are my picks for the most popular streaming apps in Germany, a selection of the most popular shows, and the cost of their subscriptions.
| Streaming service | Popular TV shows available in Germany | Price per month in US dollars |
| Netflix | Murder Mindfully, How to Sell Drugs Online (Fast), Dogs of Berlin, Love Is Blind: Germany | From $8.99 |
| RTL+ | Die Bachelorette, Sisi, Kitchen Impossible | From ~$6.90 |
| ZDFmediathek | Die Affäre Cum-Ex, Hameln, Der Schwarm, The Tourist | Free |
| Amazon Prime Video | LOL: Last One Laughing, Beat, All or Nothing, Drunter und Drüber | From ~$6.90 |
| ARD Mediathek | Oktoberfest: Beer and Blood, Testo, Twin Teams, Schwarze Früchte | Free |
Conclusion
Germany has amazing TV channels, including ZDF, ARD, and RTL. However, they’re not available to watch outside of the country because German TV is subject to strict licensing agreements, copyright laws, and broadcasting rights.
But you can watch German TV from anywhere in the world using a privacy-focused VPN, such as NordVPN, with servers in Germany. By connecting to a German server, you will mask your location so that you can bypass all region restrictions and watch German TV from wherever you are.
Better still, a VPN is a vital security tool that encrypts your traffic, making it impossible for anyone to track or hack your data. And once you’ve finished watching German TV, you can use the same VPN to access geo-blocked content from around the world.
FAQ
Can I stream German TV in the US?
Yes, you can stream German TV from the US or anywhere else in the world, provided you use a strong VPN, such as NordVPN, to connect to a server in Germany. This will unblock all German streaming services, allowing you to watch German TV from anywhere.
How can I watch ZDF in the USA?
Yes. The best way to watch ZDF in the US is to use a reputable VPN to connect to a server in Germany. This will mask your location and unblock ZDF. Then, go to the ZDF website or app, either sign in or create an account, and enjoy streaming.
Where can I watch German TV for free?
Most German TV channels, including ZDF, RTL, and ARD, are free-to-air in Germany. To access these channels outside the country, you need to use a reliable VPN to bypass geo-restrictions. Then, go to the website or app you want and log in as usual.
