Best VPN for Netflix Netherlands and Dutch TV Shows
Dutchies love their Netflix, but it can be a drag not to have access to Netflix Nederland when abroad. If you have a VPN, however, you can lift this restriction and enjoy your favorite content anywhere in the world. We’ll show you which VPNs are best for the Dutch Netflix and why.
Netflix is a massively popular service in the Netherlands, boasting over 4 million users in the small country alone! Their massive selection of on demand TV shows and movies is large enough so that many users have given up their cable television subscriptions altogether, and watch all of their content on their computers instead. However, there are some limitations to the Netflix service. Because of licensing issues, there are some shows and movies which are available for Dutch Netflix users to watch, but not to Netflix users elsewhere.
Enjoy exclusive Dutch content on Netflix Nederland with these VPNs:
- NordVPN – Best for Dutch Netflix – NordVPN offers 200+ servers in the Netherlands, with plenty of advanced options to tweak your spoofed connection for smooth, private Netflix streams.
- Surfshark – Ever wanted a VPN that just works to unblock Netflix with no further hassle? That’s Surfshark.
- ExpressVPN – One of the most well-known solutions for beating the Netflix proxy error, with blazing fast speeds.
- CyberGhost – Another “set and forget” VPN site unblocker, with additional preconfigured settings for torrents, browsing securely, etc.
- PureVPN – One of the few VPNs that can unblock Netflix Netherlands from beyond China’s Great Firewall.
The good news is that there is a way to unblock Netflix Netherlands so that you can watch Dutch content from other regions. Using a virtual private network, you can spoof your location and watch content from any version of the site. It’s important to note, however, that not just any VPN will work, and even the best may struggle to provide 100% consistent connections. We’ll explain why this is below and then recommend our picks for the best VPN for Netflix Netherlands. Lees verder!
Editor's Pick October 2024
Choosing A Great VPN
Once you know that you need a VPN to unblock Netflix, you need to select a provider. However, there are hundreds of different providers out there. To help you make the right choice for you, here are the key requirements for a VPN for Netflix users:
- VPN that works with Netflix. As we explained, many VPNs (and most proxies) don’t work on Netflix due to the Netflix VPN blocking methods. We look for the few VPN providers that do work with Netflix to let you unblock the site.
- A large server network with servers in the Netherlands. Look for a VPN provider with plenty of servers worldwide, but especially in the Netherlands. Otherwise, it’s impossible to spoof a Dutch IP address.
- Fast connection speeds. No one likes having to put up with buffering while they wait for their videos to load, so look for a VPN with fast connections that can stream high definition video or download large files quickly and without delays.
- Software for various operating systems. You can install your VPN software onto all of your devices, as long as the software supports the platform that you are using. Look for subscriptions that support lots of simultaneous connections, as well.
- Good security. In addition to letting you unblock websites, a VPN will also improve your cyber security by encrypting your data to keep it safe and private. Look for the use of strong 256-bit encryption and a no logging policy to protect your privacy.
Comparison of the Best VPNs To Unblock Netflix Netherlands
- 24/7 Live Chat
- 24/7 Live Chat
- 24/7 Live Chat
- 24/7 Live Chat
- Yes
- Netflix,
- Disney+,
- Amazon Prime,
- iPlayer,
- YouTube,
- Hulu
- Netflix,
- Disney+,
- Amazon Prime,
- iPlayer,
- YouTube,
- Hulu
- Netflix,
- Disney+,
- Amazon Prime,
- iPlayer
- Netflix,
- Disney+,
- Amazon Prime,
- iPlayer,
- YouTube,
- Hulu
- Netflix,
- Disney+,
- Amazon Prime,
- iPlayer,
- YouTube,
- Hulu
Top VPNs To Unblock Netflix Netherlands
When we looked for VPNs that meet each of these requirements, we came up with the following recommendations for VPNs that give you the best chance to reliably unblock Netflix Netherlands:
1. NordVPN
- SPECIAL OFFER: 2-yr plan (70% off – link below)
- No bandwidth caps
- Zero leaks: IP/DNS/WebRTC
- “Double” data protection
- Great customer service via chat
- Can’t specify City or Province in App
If you want plenty of security options as well as the ability to unblock Netflix, then you need NordVPN. The service works to unblock Netflix in the following countries: the US, Canada, the Netherlands, and France. If you need to know which particular server you should connect to, just check out the list of servers that work with Netflix on the NordVPN website, or reach out to customer support via email or phone.
NordVPN has the essential security features of strong 256-bit encryption and no logging policy, and the connections are fast enough to be happily used for streaming high definition video content. But if you want to use your VPN for other purposes, there are special servers that you can connect to. For example, the double encryption option sends your data to two different servers to be encrypted twice over for the highest level of security, while the P2P servers are optimised for torrent users. In total, there are more than 5,400 servers to choose from in 59 countries, and the software can be installed on Windows, Mac OS, Linux, iOS, Chrome OS, Android, and Windows Phone, with extensions available for the Chrome and Firefox web browsers.
Read our full NordVPN review.
2. Surfshark
- Break through harsh censorship to securely access social media and foreign news sites
- One of the first VPNs to implement RAM-only servers
- IP, DNS and WebRTC leak protection plus kill switch
- Independently audited privacy practices
- Helpful 24/7 live chat with an actual human being
- Growing network doesn’t have same coverage as more mature VPNs
- Cons
Surfshark is a surprisingly capable Netflix unblocker considering its modest network size (just over 800 nodes in 50 countries). But they say quality trumps quantity, and that’s certainly the case here. Gone are the days of hunting around for obscure VPN settings or getting stuck with one or two Netflix-capable servers; with Surfshark, every server is a Netflix server.
That means it’s never been easier to unblock foreign content libraries from abroad. And coupled with updated encryption (256-AES-GCM) and tunneling protocols (OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec, WireGuard), there’s not a geoblock out there that can stop you.
Of course, if you live in a country with heavy government surveillance, Surfshark’s got something for you too. Once again, every server has the ability to kick on extra privacy provisions (obfuscation, as well as the special NoBorders method) to automatically counter surveillance as it crops up. Combined with one of the industry’s best logging policies, it’s easy to see why Dutchies all over the world are turning to Surfshark for their Netflix binges.
3. ExpressVPN
- SPECIAL OFFER: 3 months free (49% off – link below)
- 3,000+ super fast servers
- No DNS/IP leaks found
- Keeps no logs of personal data
- 24/7 Chat Support
- Priced slightly higher
ExpressVPN is a top-tier provider, thanks to its exceptional reliability when accessing Netflix as well as its speed and security. We have found reliable to access not only Netflix NL, but also other regional versions of Netflix too. You can find more information about using ExpressVPN with Netflix at the guide on their website, and their customer service team is always ready to help!
The VPN features 256-bit encryption and a no logging policy, as well as DNS leak protection and an IP address checker. The connection speeds are hyper fast so they are perfect for downloading large files as well as streaming video. And the total size of the server network is a generous 3,000 servers in 94 different countries. The easy to use software can be installed on devices running Windows, Mac OS, Android, iOS, and Linux, plus some games consoles, smart TVs, and modems.
Read our full ExpressVPN review.
4. CyberGhost
- Unblocks US Netflix in App
- Great user experience and easy installation
- Versatile and user-friendly
- No logs policy
- 24/7 Live Chat Support
- WebRTC IPv6 leak in macOS
- Can’t unblock some other streaming sites
CyberGhost is ideally suited to new users who don’t have a lot of experience with using VPNs. The software has a very easy to navigate graphical interface, where you simply select the task you want to do and the configuration and server choice is all done for you automatically. To use CyberGhost to unblock Netflix Netherlands, you just open up the software and select the option for Unblock Streaming. Then you’ll see a drop down menu of streaming sites that you can unblock, including Netflix. Select this option and navigate to the Netflix website in your browser and you’ll be able to watch all of the Netflix content from the Netherlands.
If you want to configure your connection yourself, that is also possible, all you’ll have a network of over 5,900 servers in 90 different countries to choose from. The connections use strong 256-bit encryption and there is a no logging policy, so your data will be kept safe, plus the connections are fast so they are ideal for streaming video. Their customer satisfaction team will help you troubleshoot any connection issues to Netflix, as well. The software is available for iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac OS.
Read our full CyberGhost review.
5. PureVPN
PureVPN is a comprehensive security bundle. The VPN service features fast connections, strong 256-bit encryption, and a no content logging policy. See more information about using PureVPN with Netflix up on their website. If their comprehensive troubleshooting guide doesn’t solve your problem, you can reach out directly to their help line for prompt service.
The VPN has plenty of servers, with a network covering over 2,000 servers in 140+ different countries. But the best part about PureVPN is all the other security options that are included along with the VPN, 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 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 Netflix Regional Restrictions Work
When Netflix want the rights to stream a particular show or movie to their users, they must pay the copyright holder for those rights. The problem is that rights are only granted for one particular country. For example, when they want to offer a stream to the same movie in two different countries, they often need to purchase the rights from two separate companies for two different prices. The rights for each specific piece of content need to be negotiated for each country.
This means that in big countries with millions of Netflix users, like the US, it makes sense to pay for the rights for a very large selection of shows and movies. On the other hand, language-specific program like Dutch-language shows and movies are unlikely to find a large audience outside of the Netherlands. This means you won’t find these streams even in massive markets like the U.S., let alone other smaller countries. Geoblocked content is a drag, but current copyright practice makes it a persistent reality across the globe.
How A VPN Unblocks Netflix
In order to unblock Netflix, you can use a VPN to spoof your location, which means that you can make it so that traffic from your device appears to websites to be coming from another country like the Netherlands or the US. If you can spoof your location so that you have a Dutch IP address, then you’ll be able to stream all of the content from the Netherlands version of Netflix.
A VPN works by encrypting all of the data that your device sends over the internet. This encrypted data is passed on to a server in the country of your choosing, where it is decrypted and sent on to its original destination. As well as improving your security through the use of encryption, this process means that you get an IP address corresponding to the country where the server is located instead of where you are actually located. So you can use your VPN to connect to a server in the US, for example, and then you’ll be able to access Netflix US.
There’s just one problem: Netflix doesn’t want its users using a VPN due to the licensing issues. Therefore, you will need to bypass Netflix’s VPN blocking software which detects when visitors are using a VPN and blocks their connection. Fortunately though there are some VPNs that do still work with Netflix, but you have to know which VPN is safe to use with Netflix.
How Are IP Addresses Assigned?
To understand why you might need a Dutch IP address, you need to know how IP addresses work. Everyone who goes online is assigned a unique string of digits (like 1.198.284.2) which identifies their device’s connection to the internet. The purpose of this identifier is to ensure that any data which that device requests (for example, when you load a web page on your phone) is sent back to the correct device (so the page loads on your phone, not your computer).
Contained within each IP address is information about the country whence you are connecting. Websites parse this information to serve regional versions of their sites. In other words, if you go to google.com with a UK IP address, the site will forward you to google.co.uk.
This is mostly useful, as it allows sites to serve you content that is regionally specific or in your first language. However, it can also be used to restrict access. Let’s say you’re in the UK trying to access Dutch Netflix. When you visit the page, it can read your IP to see that you are in the UK and redirect you to a “Sorry, content not available in your location” page. This is precisely the sort of situation in which a Dutch IP via VPN spoofing comes in handy.
Other Advantages of Using VPN
A VPN isn’t just useful for getting around region locks though. It’s also good for your privacy and security in a variety of ways:
Prevent Snooping from Your ISP or the Government
If you use an unsecured internet connection for your home network, it’s shockingly easy for outside parties to observe and record your internet activity. Your ISP will monitor all of the traffic going over their network, and the government can check in on this data by forcing your ISP to hand over records of your browsing history. This should be a matter of concern for everyone, no matter what they are using the internet for or what country they live in. Your browsing history ought to be private, and a VPN can make sure that it is through the use of encryption. When you’re running a VPN, your ISP and other observers can see how much data you are using, but not what the contents of that data is.
Download More Safely
The laws about downloading are more liberal in the Netherlands than in other countries, but you can still end up getting fined for downloading something you shouldn’t have. If you’re going to download lots of content, especially if you’re going to use P2P downloading like torrents or usenet, then it’s especially important to encrypt your web traffic to prevent your ISP coming after you for any copyright issues.
Boost Your Security when Using Public Wi-Fi Networks
It’s so handy that many locations now have free Wi-Fi, whether they’re cafes, bars, airports, or libraries. However, these public Wi-Fi networks can be dangerous to use. When you are connected to a network with many other people, it is possible for others to intercept and view the information you’re sending over the internet–which could include your passwords, your private emails, or even your credit card details. In order to keep all of this information safe, you should always use a VPN when using public Wi-Fi networks as the encryption will prevent anyone else from gaining access to your data or stealing your identity.
Conclusion
Netflix Netherlands is a popular service with many TV shows and movies available for users to stream on demand. However, because of licensing rules, very little Dutch content is available for users elsewhere in the world to watch. For this reason, many users want to use a VPN to unblock Holland’s content library as well as to watch series and movies from Netflix US or other sites.
Be careful when choosing a VPN for Netflix, though, as most VPNs won’t be able to get around Netflix’s VPN blocking software. But there are still some VPNs that work with Netflix, such as the ones that we have recommended here. Be aware that there is a constant battle between Netflix and VPN providers, so your service of choice may not always work. However, each provider we mentioned has consistently made a strong effort to keep on top of this problem, so if you find yourself running into the dread proxy error screen, just give it some time and come back later. Not ideal, but that’s the price you pay for access to a global content library!
Have you tried using a VPN with Netflix? Which providers have you found that work, and which don’t? Let us know about your experiences 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.
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I currently have Nord app installed on my Mac and I use it to unlock restricted content on BBC iPlayer and Netflix. Works well for me; no lagging or other connection issues.