Best VPN for Europe [Top 5 for 2024]

Europe is known for relatively free internet access with no particular restrictions. However, most are looking for the best VPN for Europe to get over data-retention laws. Some European countries belong to the 14 Eyes alliance, which is concerning privacy-wise. On top of that, many of these countries are sprawling with tourists. They need additional protection on public WiFi networks that often come without encryption. Not to mention many geo-restrictions on American and even British streaming platforms.

Another thing to consider is ISP surveillance, which is prevalent in most European countries. All of these problems are easily remedied with the best VPN for Europe. This service encrypts your traffic and modifies your online location – two crucial factors.

As a result, a solid European VPN will let you surf anonymously and access your favorite content anywhere. In today’s article, we’ll analyze the top 5 VPNs for Europe according to our numerous tests and see what makes them so good.

Best VPN in Europe: Our Full List

Before moving on with our list of the best VPNs for Europe, let us clarify a few things.

The first one is that we tested ALL of the providers below. This list is based on our personal experiences with each provider. Another thing is that all VPN providers offer European servers – this is expected.

The third and final thing is that all of them have worldwide server locations on all continents. This means you’ll be able to stream Australian TV channels (to watch the Australian Open live and on a free channel, for example) or watch foreign Netflix libraries no matter which European country you’re in.

In other words, our selection of European VPNs is ideal both for residents of this continent and for those looking to obtain an IP address from one of the many European countries.

For those willing to discover these providers and see what they truly have to offer, we analyzed each below. Keep reading.

1. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is used by millions of people in Europe. It’s an excellent all-arounder, with 3,000+ servers in 105 countries. At least half of these are on this continent, so getting an IP from it should be simple. Of course, ExpressVPN has a myriad of US servers in 20+ cities.

This is to say that the provider is excellent for streaming and getting over geo-blocks. Even in Europe, you’ll enjoy American online bookies or live-stream BBC iPlayer. On top of that, ExpressVPN is P2P-friendly, which is handy considering constant ISP surveillance.

Once you connect to a server, you’ll enjoy torrenting without your ISP knowing a thing about it. We like its dedication to security as well. With AES encryption and an automatic kill switch, the provider is among the most secure out there. Another perk is Lightway.

This is an in-house protocol that ensures the fastest speeds and impeccable security. Other notable features include a no-logging policy, RAM-only servers, and Private DNS. Even better, ExpressVPN has many independent audits, which is a testament to its quality.

Being so easy to use and set up, it’s no wonder many deem it the best VPN for Europe. Rest assured, it’ll work on every device and will offer 8 simultaneous connections in all plans. ExpressVPN can block ads and there’s parental control for blocking porn sites.

As said, it’s an all-arounder but with a slightly higher price, as expected. However, our readers can snag it at an all-time low cost with a 49% discount and 3 free months for the 1-year plan. Try it now! It’s risk-free because of a 30-day money-back guarantee.

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2. CyberGhost

CyberGhost is a great VPN for Europe. It’s affordable, yet, a still well-done VPN. For example, it comes with 10,000+ worldwide servers in 100 countries, making it the largest provider on the list.

It has thousands of European servers but also that many abroad! Accompanied by streaming/torrenting servers, CyberGhost excels in both of these activities. Besides, its WireGuard protocol does wonders for performance and overall stability.

You’ll find it useful for getting over many geo-blocks and protecting your privacy. The ad-blocker that’s included can block trackers as well, and with advanced IPv6 leak protection and a kill switch, you can kiss goodbye surveillance and insecure public WiFi hotspots.

In fact, CyberGhost is a true European VPN because it’s stationed in Romania! Romania is a privacy-friendly country with no excess data-retention laws. This is proven in the no-log policy of CyberGhost which even received an independent audit from Deloitte.

CyberGhost takes pride in offering RAM-only servers but also its proprietary NoSpy servers, which you won’t find in any other VPN. While not the simplest to use, its apps span all platforms, including iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, and Linux.

European VPN users will like its 7 simultaneous connections with the option to connect it to a router. Finally, the price. There’s a 45-day refund policy for all plans longer than a month and the cheapest 2-year deal is a speck above $2 monthly. Sounds incredibly exciting!

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3. NordVPN

NordVPN’s popularity in Europe won’t dwindle anytime soon. The provider took many by surprise with its stellar security, certified no-logging policy, and full optimization for P2P and streaming. After all, it has 5,900+ servers in 60 countries, so its presence is strong.

NordVPN offers a heap of unique features you won’t find anywhere else. Wondering what is Meshnet? Well, it’s a function that allows for remote control and access to up to 60 other devices. Then, there’s Threat Protection which removes viruses, malware, and ads.

The provider even includes Double VPN servers to double your encryption and ensure an even higher level of security. Speaking of which, this European VPN uses obfuscated servers as well, which will help get over restrictions in China and Turkey.

We should mention its glorious-looking apps for all devices but also the fact that it uses the strongest encryption like ExpressVPN. Needless to say, NordVPN comes with split tunneling and a kill switch, in addition to its premium 10 Gbps servers.

The NordLynx protocol is here, and based on WireGuard, it offers staggering performance. Netflix lovers will be able to unblock at least 20 catalogs of this service and NordVPN’s power spans to other platforms like Disney+, Hulu, and BBC, all of which will be accessible.

We could go on like this forever but NordVPN is jam-packed with exciting features. To find out more about it, use the button below and claim its juicy discount on a 2-year plan. Don’t fret. A 30-day refund policy is in place, ensuring the possibility of a refund if you don’t like it.

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4. Surfshark

Much like CyberGhost, Surfshark VPN is based in a prevalent European country – the Netherlands. Now, this is a 14-Eyes country but Surfshark isn’t affected and still keeps a solid no-logs policy with several audits. After all, the VPN is known for its attention to privacy and security.

Considering it uses RAM-only servers and offers superb IP/DNS leak protection, it’s easy to see why it’s one of the best VPNs for Europe in 2024. Value-oriented users will be surprised by its unlimited simultaneous connections, which none other VPNs on this list offer.

Even more impressive is that you get 3,200+ servers in 100 countries, many in Europe. European VPN servers of Surfshark are pretty hasty, which is contributed by WireGuard and 10 Gbps servers. Streaming is phenomenal with it, as it works with 30 Netflix catalogs.

Surfshark took the world by storm with its ingenious features like Alerts, which is a dark web monitor, along with Antivirus to keep your PC clean. We like its IP Rotation feature that rotates your IP periodically while keeping the country identical, adding to your privacy.

Surfshark’s apps are gorgeous and offer the same features across all platforms. One of them is SmartDNS, which works on every device, including Apple TV and older Firestick generations. Moreover, the VPN supports geo-spoofing on iOS and Android.

In many ways, the provider is similar to CyberGhost, price-wise especially. It is an affordable VPN for Europe that offers 24/7 live chat support, apps for all platforms and the ability to get a dedicated IP in case you need it. Find out more about its attractive offers below.

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5. ProtonVPN

The last VPN for Europe is ProtonVPN. ProtonVPN is from Switzerland, a bastion of privacy.

Swiss privacy laws are very strong, permitting ProtonVPN to have a strict no-logging policy that’s been audited several times. This makes it the most secure Europe-based VPN.

ProtonVPN is fast as well, offering WireGuard with the so-called VPN Accelerator function. Apart from that, the VPN provider is surprisingly stellar for streaming and many Europeans use it to watch the US Open and other sports events live.

It even offers dedicated P2P servers with Onion Over VPN support for those wanting to get on the dark web. ProtonVPN has 10 simultaneous connections, which is better than ExpressVPN or NordVPN. Plus, it uses 256-bit encryption with a kill switch.

The provider is known for its Secure Core servers along with NetShield, a capable ad-blocker. As one of the best VPN services for Europe, ProtonVPN even includes port forwarding, which can enhance P2P performance in many cases and provide faster speeds.

ProtonVPN includes a free plan with unlimited bandwidth but limited capabilities. Its premium plans are discounted but the main downside is its expensive price, despite all the discounts. For comparison, it’s two times the price of CyberGhost.

The good news is that through 01net, you can claim its special discount and save some money. If you value privacy and security above everything else, ProtonVPN is great. But then again, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are better overall, making them superior VPNs for Europe.

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Why Use a VPN in Europe?

If you live in Europe, you’re probably thinking that you can get away without a VPN. It’s true. While a VPN in Europe isn’t a necessity, it’s good to bear in mind it can help in many scenarios.

Why use a VPN in Europe? Here are a few notable reasons that come to our mind:

Circumventing Geo-Blocks

European users have trouble accessing many worldwide sites. For example, many are struggling with watching Hulu, ABC, and Netflix US just because they live in a European country. This applies to many foreign TV channels too.

Generally speaking, Europe isn’t home to some of the best content online. It’s the US, according to many internet users. Well, given the VPN’s ability to change your online location, you can now access any content you want in Europe.

The majority of our team is on this continent and we can tell you that ExpressVPN and CyberGhost primarily serve us for this purpose. Feel free to check our guide on how to unblock restricted sites and see how handy a VPN is.

Enhance Privacy/Security

There’s no shortage of ISP surveillance and data-retention laws all across Europe. Think about the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, the UK, France, Finland, and others. These countries are notorious for government surveillance and participation in the 5/9/14 Eyes.

To protect your online identity, it’s good to hide behind an IP address provided by a VPN. Remember that the encryption of this service will prevent your ISP and the government from spying on your online activities. It’ll effectively hide your whereabouts.

This will let you perform day-to-day activities while not suffering from excess data collection that almost every European resident goes through without knowing it.

Stay Safe on Public WiFi Networks

When talking about security, public WiFi networks can be dangerous. Their lack of encryption and often password protection is alarming. If you’re a tourist or a digital nomad, using these WiFi hotspots will often be your go-to option.

However, we often see these networks getting compromised by hackers who aim to steal people’s private data. Again, if you encrypt your connection with the best VPN for Europe, you’ll be safe and sound and the hacker won’t be able to intercept the connection.

Even if he does that theoretically, all he’ll see will be a garbled mess of numbers and letters and not your true information.

Download Torrents Privately

Torrenting is frowned upon in the majority of European countries. Germany, France, Italy, and many others are among them. Users caught torrenting will have to pay hefty fines that often go above the average salary in these countries.

This, of course, applies to copyright violations. Still, you want to ensure your P2P activities are private with a VPN. Torrent sites are known for storing logs of your IP address as well as download history, which they’ll happily hand out to the authorities.

You can anonymize all your P2P “adventures” with a VPN. The best VPNs for Europe keep no logs, use RAM-only servers, and take utmost care of your privacy. Even if they’re probed to hand out user-related data, they’ll come out empty-handed.

Best Free VPNs for Europe to Try

Do we recommend free VPNs for Europe? Hardly. We can say we hardly recommend them for anything. Compared to all the other providers we mentioned, their limits can be seen from a mile away. Most notably, you’ll notice bandwdith limits.

Most of them won’t give you more than a few gigabytes a month. This is often exacerbated by the lack of streaming/torrenting support, which renders these VPNs useful only for general browsing. Security-wise, most of them are subpar.

Hola VPN, probably the most popular free VPN, stores logs and sells your private data to third-party partners. Free mobile VPNs are exceptionally bad as well, and they’ll resort to the same tactics, sometimes openly, sometimes covertly.

That’s not to say all of them are inherently bad. It’s just that they’re not for everyone, especially for those who don’t like the imposed limits. Are there VPNs for Europe that are good AND free? Yes but again, they’re not better than our top 5.

Atlas VPN

Atlas VPN is a paid service but it has a solid free plan worth looking at. It’s safe and secure, with a no-logging policy to complement everything. The free plan comes with support for WireGuard, a kill switch, and stellar IP leak protection.

Its downsides are vast. For one, it’s capped at 5 GB of monthly bandwidth. Two, it’s not working with Netflix and other streaming services. Three, it’s way slower than paid VPNs and offers servers only in the Netherlands and the US, so it has only one European VPN location.

Of course, you’ll “enjoy” other typical downsides like limited torrenting, the lack of MultiHop servers, overcrowding, and so on. At least it’s 100% free and can be downloaded directly from the site. You just need a free account.

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ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN sounds a hunk better because it has unlimited traffic. However, this European VPN completely forbids P2P and works with no streaming services. As a free provider, it’s surprisingly secure, with all the modern features and a no-logging policy.

Even RAM-only servers are used, which free users can experience first-hand. On the other side, the provider is VERY slow and often overcrowded, as it has just around 100 free servers in 3 countries – the Netherlands, Japan, and the United States.

Like Atlas VPN, it doesn’t support simultaneous connections. Free users also can’t access 24/7 live chat support, which will infuriate most of you. To use ProtonVPN, you’ll need to click the button below, make an account, and download it for free.

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How to Use a VPN for Europe – Tutorial

The great thing about VPNs is that, despite their complexity at first, they’re always easy to use. Their infrastructures and security measures make them cutting-edge but once they’re “delivered” to your device, they become much simpler.

Remember all the benefits of the best VPN for Europe from before? Well, you can get all of them by following these steps:

• Subscribe to a Europe VPN from our list. Our #1 choice is ExpressVPN and a 49% discount with 3 free months for the annual plan.
• Install the VPN on your device. ExpressVPN works on every device and supports 8 simultaneous connections.
• Open the VPN application and sign in with the credentials from Step 1.
• You’ll now need to connect to the server. The VPN has servers in 105 countries, with more than 40 of them in Europe. Pick one and connect to a server in that country.
• When the app turns green, it means your connection is in place. Go online and do your thing safely and without government surveillance.

Are VPNs Legal in Europe?

If you take a broader look at Europe and its countries, you’ll hardly see any censorship. For the most part, European countries are liberal, thus, allowing you to use VPNs and other IP-changing methods without consequences.

In short, VPNs are legal in Europe as long as you don’t abuse them. Abusing the anonymity provided by this service is still illegal, even though your online activities will be invisible to the ISP. A few exceptions to the rule are there, however.

For example, Russia and Belarus are censored countries in Europe. Both of them are known for blocking VPN connections. While Russia is in a so-called “grey area” and people still use VPNs there, Belarus deems them strictly illegal.

We’re always for respecting your country’s laws and legislation. If something’s illegal, don’t do it. Even if it means not using VPNs.

Summary: which VPN to choose in Europe?

Considering Europe’s internet freedom in general, using a VPN isn’t mandatory.

We always recommend using it for torrenting, security, and privacy, which is lacking in most European countries. On top of that, you’ll find a VPN nifty for bypassing geo-blocks and accessing restricted content.

ExpressVPN is a terrific choice for most, as it has servers in almost entire Europe, along with thousands of them abroad. All VPNs on our list have a no-logging policy, support all devices, and are capable of P2P and streaming.

While we recommend ExpressVPN, we also advise taking a look at other options on the list. CyberGhost and Surfshark are very affordable, NordVPN comes with state-of-the-art security while not breaking the bank, with ProtonVPN’s privacy being its #1 selling point.

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