Best VPN for Netflix Italy and Italian TV Shows
Netflix Italy celebrates the country’s rich cinematic history with a ton of exclusive content, but you can watch it anywhere in the world with a VPN. We’ll show you how to spoof an Italian IP address with a VPN provider that actually works to unblock Netflix, so read on.
Are you fed up of only being able to watch a limited range of shows and movies on Netflix? Do you want to be able to watch the full catalogue of content that is available for Netflix users, like classic Italian movies and modern Italian cooking shows? Are you looking for a greater variety of content and an unrestricted Netflix experience?
Unblock and stream Netflix IT from any country with these VPNs:
- NordVPN – Best Netflix VPN – NordVPN is the industry leader in keeping up with Netflix’s unfair geoblocks and VPN bans. There’s no better security suite for getting past these restrictions and enjoying the free and open Internet the way it was meant to be enjoyed.
- Surfshark – Outstanding value for the price, with military-grade encryption and Italian servers that always work with Netflix.
- ExpressVPN – The VPN of choice for HD and 4K streams, thanks to its incredible connection speeds.
- CyberGhost – Simply click “unblock streaming”, and let your VPN do the hard work for you. Simple!
- PureVPN – A popular VPN for defeating government firewalls and unblocking sites around the world.
Then this article is for you, as today we are going to show you how to unblock Netflix Italy using a VPN. Read on for more information and our recommendations for the best VPN for Netflix Italy.
How To Choose The Right VPN
You can see how useful a VPN is for Netflix users, but it can be a challenge to choose a VPN provider. With so many options available, what factors should you look at when selecting a VPN? Here is our list of most important considerations:
- Connections that work with Netflix. Due to Netflix’s sophisticated VPN blocking software, most VPNs don’t work with Netflix. We selected only those VPNs that have been checked and reported to work more often than not.
- Plenty of servers. It’s easier to find a server that suits your needs when you have plenty of options to choose from, so we look for providers with large networks of servers. For Netflix Italy, you’re definitely going to need servers in the country so that you can get the Italian IP address you need to fool Netflix into letting you in.
- Fast connection speeds. Whether you are using your VPN to stream videos in high definition or to download torrents or other large files, you want connections that are fast and won’t slow you down.
- Software available for multiple operating systems. To use your VPN, you’ll need to use the software created by your provider. We like providers who offer software for a variety of platforms so that you can access Netflix from any of your devices.
- Good security policies. As a bonus, your VPN will not only let you watch Netflix content from abroad but will also keep you safe from cyber threats such as hacking. We like to see good security policies such as the use of strong 256-bit encryption and a no logging policy.
Top VPN Providers To Unblock Netflix Italy Abroad
If you’d rather skip out on the exhaustive market research and just pick a VPN that works to unblock Netflix Italy from anywhere, check out our top-ranked providers:
1. NordVPN
NordVPN is the VPN that we recommend for advanced users who want excellent security plus great flexibility thanks to lots of options. The service works well with Netflix, giving you access to Netflix content from a variety of regions. NordVPN lists all of the specific servers which work with Netflix on a page on their website, making it a snap to connect to the right server and start watching.
In addition to this Netflix compatibility, NordVPN also has exceptional security features. There are the basic features you would expect, like 256-bit encryption and a no logging policy. But there are also specialist servers available that you can connect to for particular requirements, such as double VPN (in which your data is sent to two servers and is encrypted twice over for maximum protection), P2P downloading, onion over VPN, and anti DDoS. The massive server network totals more than 5,400 servers in 59 countries including the US, and the software can be installed on Windows, Mac OS, Linux, iOS, Chrome OS, Android, and Windows Phone. There are also extensions available for the Chrome and Firefox web browsers.
Read our full NordVPN review.
- SPECIAL OFFER: 2-yr plan (70% off - link below)
- Different IP addresses aervers
- Up to 6 simultaneous connections
- Extra-secure Double VPN for data encryption
- Live chat support is available.
- Some servers can have average d/l speeds
- Refund processing can take up to 30 days.
2. Surfshark
Surfshark is the “goldilocks” of VPNs, with just the right balance of performance, privacy, and price. It also helps that no matter which Italian server you connect to, it will “just work” to stream Netflix IT. No fiddling around with advanced settings, no fishing for the right server–just connect and go.
All total, there are 3200+ servers in 65 countries, built upon Surfshark’s RAM-only infrastructure that allows for good response times and low latency. Moreover, these servers can’t store your usage metadata, allowing for truly anonymous streaming without leaving a trace. This fact also lends credibility to Surfshark’s no-logging policy.
Other VPN essentials include 256-AES-GCM encryption, a kill switch, IP/DNS/WebRTC leak protection, and even an adblocker. There are no caps on bandwidth or traffic type, and you can connect unlimited numbers of devices to a single Surfshark subscription.
- Unblock VoIP in oppressive regimes like WhatsApp, Skype, Discord, and more
- All 800+ servers are P2P-friendly, with private DNS and obfuscation
- Accepts all major credit cards, Apple, Google, and Amazon Pay, PayPal, and even Bitcoin
- Based in the British Virgin Islands, where there are no data retention laws
- Helpful 24/7 live chat with an actual human being.
- Overall, not much to complain about
- Young VPN still has plenty of room to grow in terms of advanced functionality.
Read our full Surfshark review.
3. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is a favourite VPN among power users thanks to its unbeatable combination of speed, security, and flexibility. In our testing we have found ExpressVPN to be the most consistently effective VPN at connecting to Netflix, letting you access the service from around the world using almost any server. Naturally, that means you can enjoy full access to the unique Italian library whenever you please. If you have any issues getting Netflix working with ExpressVPN, then you can check out the guide here.
The exceptionally fast connections make ExpressVPN ideal for streaming high definition video content through Netflix, and the security is also great. There’s the 256-bit encryption and a no logging policy that you need, plus extra options in the software like DNS leak protection and an IP address checker. The network of servers available is very large, with over 3,000 servers in 160 different locations in 94 countries. The software is available for Windows, Mac OS, Android, iOS, and Linux, plus some games consoles, smart TVs, and even routers.
Read our full ExpressVPN review.
- SPECIAL OFFER: 3 months free (49% off - link below)
- 94 countries, 3,000+ servers
- Very simple and easy to use
- Strict no-logs policy
- Customer Service (24/7 Chat).
- Max 3 simultaneous connections
- Slightly more expensive than some other options.
4. CyberGhost
CyberGhost is the VPN we recommend if you haven’t used a VPN before and are feeling a bit confused by all this talk of encryption and servers. The software has a very easy to use interface, where you simply select the option you need and all the configuration is taken care of automatically. To use the service with Netflix, you simply open up the software and select the “unblock streaming” option. Then you’ll see a list of streaming sites that you can unblock; select the appropriate option and your VPN connection will be set up and configured for you. Once that’s done, you can just visit netflix.com and start watching Netflix content from around the world.
The security features of the VPN are good, with the use of 256-bit encryption and a no logging policy. Then connections are fast and if you choose to set up your VPN connection manually then you’ll find plenty of servers to choose from, with a network covering 5,900 servers in 90 countries. The software is available for iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac OS.
Read our full CyberGhost review.
- Unblocks US Netflix, Amazon Prime, YouTube, Hulu
- Fast, constant speeds
- GooglePlay users rating: 4.3/5.0
- Strict no-logging policy
- Reliable and knowledgeable 24/7 live chat support.
- Can’t unblock some other streaming sites.
5. PureVPN
PureVPN is not only a virtual private network, but also a whole security package. The VPN has fast connections and does work with Netflix (it is most effective at connecting to Netflix US, but some users have also reported success when connecting to Netflix in other regions too). You can find information about using PureVPN with Netflix on their website, along with a handy troubleshooting guide.
The security of the VPN has the features you’d want like the option for 256-bit encryption, over 2,000 servers to choose from in over 140 countries, and a no content logging policy. But the real bonus of the service is all of the extra security features you’ll get access to, like anti malware and anti virus protection, an anti spam filter for your email inbox, DDoS protection, app filtering, a kill switch, a dedicated IP address, and a NAT firewall. The software is designed to be easy to use, and it is available for Windows, Mac OS, Android, iOS, and Android TV devices, plus there are browser extensions available for the Chrome and Firefox browsers.
Read our full PureVPN review.
How To Unblock Netflix With A VPN
A VPN works by installing onto your phone or computer, then encrypting all of the data that your device sends over the internet. This encrypted data is sent to a server which is run by your VPN, where the data is decrypted and sent on to its original destination.
This means that when you are connected to a VPN, you can use the internet as normal – with just one important difference. It appears to any websites that you visit as if you are connected to them from the location of the server, rather than from your actual location. So, for example, if you connect to a server in the US, it will appear as if your traffic is originating from the US.
And yes, you can indeed use a VPN to unblock Netflix! Just connect to a server in the country that you want to browse, like Italy, then visit the Netflix website. The site registers your spoofed location and serves up the Italian content catalogue instead of the one you’d normally see in your country of origin.
The Problem With Netflix VPN Blocking
It used to be that you could connect to any old VPN and then go to the Netflix website and use the service with no problems. In recent years, however, Netflix has come under a lot of pressure from copyright holders to be more proactive in enforcing regional restrictions. Some rights holders have even threatened to pull their content from Netflix due to the number of users who were accessing it despite regional restrictions.
Because of this, Netflix has recently started to use VPN blocking software. This software detects whether a visitor to their site is using a VPN, and if they are then it stops them from playing back videos. Users with a VPN can still navigate to the Netflix homepage, but when they try to play a video they’ll see an error message that says: “Whoops, something went wrong. Streaming error. You seem to be using an unblocker or proxy. Please turn off any of these services and try again.”
Netflix employs various techniques to detect VPN use, such as blocking connections from ranges of IP address which are known to be used by VPNs or blocking connections from multiple users on the same IP address, which suggests that they are using a VPN. This is why most VPNs no longer work with Netflix.
RELATED READING: How To Hide OpenVPN Traffic
However, there is good news – there are still a few providers that do work with Netflix! They constantly update their servers and their settings to avoid the Netflix VPN detection software. It’s an ongoing battle, but these few providers remain diligent in remaining a step ahead of Netflix’s countermeasures. Learn more about how to successfully bypass the Netflix VPN ban.
Why Netflix Italy Is Blocked Abroad
Netflix has a ton of content for you to watch, from movies and TV shows to documentaries and so much more. However, the total catalogue of content available on Netflix is not available in every country. This is because of the way that copyright laws work: in order to make a movie available for streaming on a website, Netflix must buy the rights for that movie. What’s more, they have to buy the rights for each different country separately. It might be relatively cheap to buy the stream rights for a particular movie in Italy, but much more expensive to buy streaming rights for the same movie in the UK.
This is why there is different content available on different regional versions of Netflix. Large countries with a high percentage of Netflix users like the US or Japan tend to get the most content to watch, as it is worth it for the company to invest in rights for lots of different content. But for shows and movies made in a smaller country like Italy, it is not always worth the money for Netflix to buy the rights to show the content internationally. This means that there are some shows or movies which are available to watch on Netflix Italy but not on Netflix in other areas of the world.
Lovers of Italian TV and movies want to be able to stream all Netflix content, despite any regional restrictions. They want to be able to watch content from Netflix Italy even if they live outside of Italy – and this is termed “unblocking” Netflix for open use.
Conclusion
Netflix is a great service but the regional restrictions on content due to copyright laws can be a frustration. In some countries, like Italy, there is content that is available nationally but not available from other countries. But Italian users don’t have to put up with more limited options – you can use a VPN to access Netflix content from all around the world. Be careful, however, because not every VPN works with Netflix. Try one of the VPNs that we have recommended to unblock Netflix Italy and watch the content that you want.
Do you use a VPN to watch Netflix? Have you tried any of the VPNs that we recommended, and how was your experience with them? Let us know about it in the comments below.
If you need a VPN for a short while when traveling for example, you can get our top ranked VPN free of charge. NordVPN includes a 30-day money-back guarantee. You will need to pay for the subscription, that’s a fact, but it allows full access for 30 days and then you cancel for a full refund. Their no-questions-asked cancellation policy lives up to its name.
