As arguably one of the most amazing countries in Southwestern Europe, Portugal is known for its rich history and gargantuan palaces. Using a VPN for Portugal isn’t a necessity. However, many Portuguese residents would benefit from this service. Internet freedom in the country isn’t threatened and you won’t find traces of censorship there. Still, ISPs in the country will monitor your traffic and collect your private info. Also, torrenting is frowned upon and those caught will have to pay a fine.
We also know of several cases of ISP throttling, as well as geo-restrictions. The best VPN for Portugal can be nifty in all of these cases. It’s a powerful tool that encrypts your connection and makes you anonymous online. Comes in handy for all-around protection.
Not to mention its ability to change your IP and let you access restricted content. Whether you’re in Portugal or abroad, the VPNs we presented below will no doubt serve you well. Now, what is the best VPN for Portugal, you might be asking? Stick around to find out!
The Best VPNs for Portugal in 2024
Okay, so to immediately get on with the topic, let us present to you our top 5 VPN providers for Portugal right away.
One thing to know is that our team tested all 5 (and many more besides) before they made their way to the list. That way, we can guarantee their quality.
First, we’ll discuss premium providers since they’re really the best. However, later on, we’ll also blitz through a few free choices that you can try.
Our top 5 Portugal VPNs include:
- ExpressVPN – Best VPN in Portugal overall
- CyberGhost – Best VPN to watch content freely in Portugal
- NordVPN – Most secure VPN for Portugal
- Surfshark – Easy-to-use option
- Private Internet Access – Feature-loaded VPN
In the following section, we divulge more relevant information about them. This will help us discover all of their features.
1. ExpressVPN
The most reliable VPN for Portugal according to our testing is ExpressVPN. The provider is a known all-arounder, with pretty much no downsides. It’s the fastest provider overall, with the Lightway protocol that produces amazing results even security-wise.
ExpressVPN offers 3,000+ servers in 105 countries, including Portugal. To that, we should add its state-of-the-art encryption with a kill switch and IPv6 leak protection. Those seeking advanced features in a VPN for Portugal will love its RAM-only servers and Private DNS.
On top of that, ExpressVPN recently introduced Keys, a capable password manager, and there’s Threat Manager. This feature blocks ads and offers Parental Control for added convenience. Torrenting with ExpressVPN is a walk in the park.
Even in Portugal, you’ll be able to use the VPN to download torrents in complete privacy. Not to mention its top-of-the-line streaming ability, which allows ExpressVPN to unblock Netflix Portugal but also catalogs from the US, Japan, and Canada.
ExpressVPN is easy to set up and use, with apps for all platforms. To make things better, you can expect 8 simultaneous connections in each plan. As a premium service, ExpressVPN skimps out on nothing, so 24/7 support and unlimited traffic are here.
Most importantly, there’s a 49% discount for the annual plan, with 3 free months on top. This exclusive promotion won’t last forever – nothing will!
That said, if you’re after an experience with no compromises, grab the deal below. You’ll have zero regrets.
Pros
- The fastest servers in Portugal
- Parental Control
- 24/7 live chat support
- Optimized for downloading torrents
- 8 simultaneous connections
- RAM-only servers
Con
- Its monthly plan is very expensive
2. CyberGhost
Speaking of regrets, we’ve heard nobody say that they regret getting CyberGhost. As the second-best VPN for Portugal, CyberGhost has 50 servers in Lisbon and 10,000 more around the world. Quality-wise, it’s a hairpin below ExpressVPN.
Yet, the VPN is extremely attractive and comes with a 2-year plan at under $2.2 a month with a 45-day refund policy. For this money, you’re getting more than you’ve bargained for. Aside from 256-bit encryption, there’s an ad blocker, split tunneling, and WireGuard.
Like ExpressVPN, CyberGhost stores no logs on its RAM-only servers, ensuring total privacy in Portugal or abroad. Another perk is its excellent optimization for streaming and torrenting. Such servers are fast and secure, which explains why they’re so reliable.
In terms of server variety, CyberGhost offers NoSpy servers – owned by that very company. Furthermore, users can get a dedicated IP address from one of many countries, along with an antivirus and a security updater. The latter keeps all your installed apps up to date.
While not offering obfuscation, CyberGhost at least gives you 7 simultaneous connections and supports all systems. You’ll like its terrific application for Firestick in addition to support for routers, Apple TV devices, and gaming consoles.
It’s a pretty impressive provider that you can use for anything. Even going on the dark web or playing mobile games without lag. Its Windows app is a bit complicated at first. But once you get used to it, you’ll unleash its full potential and enjoy it in Portugal and abroad.
Pros
- 50 servers in Lisbon
- Very affordable plans
- Antivirus for just $1/mo
- Native Firestick TV application
- Split tunneling
- A 45-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- No obfuscation
- A bit confusing desktop app
3. NordVPN
If you want a VPN for Portugal for all purposes, look no further than NordVPN. Its Portuguese servers are incredibly capable. They can unblock Netflix Portugal and many local channels in this country. Besides, NordVPN sports 5,900+ servers globally.
Apart from its imposing size, NordVPN’s strengths are ubiquitous. For one, the VPN keeps no logs and has more than a few third-party audits. Then, there’s this Meshnet feature for hosting secure LAN parties and remote-controlling other distant devices.
Another impressive feat is the inclusion of Double VPN servers. They’ll double your encryption, thereby, preventing ISP monitoring. We like its P2P servers, which Portuguese VPN users will oblige, as they totally conceal your torrenting activities.
Much like ExpressVPN, NordVPN is very fast for torrenting, streaming, and gaming. Unblocking Netflix and Disney+ will be simple as well, and its native Onion Over VPN support lets you use it with Tor to wander the dark web securely.
A modern provider like this has impeccable apps – ones that you’ll really like. Alas, its 6 simultaneous connections are a bit disappointing. On a good note, NordVPN is inexpensive and its 2-year deal comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
As expected, you’ll never find this provider lacking. Its Complete plan even includes NordPass and 1 TB of encrypted storage from NordLocker. We reviewed NordLocker recently, and just for your info, it’s a startling cloud storage service with a low price.
Pros
- Dark Web Monitor
- Includes antivirus/malware protection
- 5,900+ servers around the world
- Easy-to-use applications
- Very fast speeds for gaming, streaming, and P2P
Cons
- NordLocker is only in the Complete plan
- Just 20+ Portuguese servers
4. Surfshark
Surfshark is a really affordable VPN for Portugal. Priced similarly to CyberGhost, Surfshark vows to offer everything you need to soar anonymously online. For the start, there are unlimited simultaneous connections.
In addition, the VPN provider has 3,200 servers in 100 countries, with dozens of Portuguese servers. Its performance is average but WireGuard makes sure connections are stable. Besides, we had no problems watching Netflix Portugal in 4K with it.
Surfshark is one of the most reliable services for streaming. However, torrenting isn’t out of the question, as its P2P performance is impressive. We like its small tidbits like an ad blocker, MultiHop, and static IP address that very few VPNs offer.
Shockingly, Surfshark even lets you get a dedicated IP with every plan! Not only that but its Surfshark One plans come with more features like antivirus, email breach alerts, and an incognito mode that works flawlessly.
Surfshark’s Dutch jurisdiction isn’t exactly known for privacy. However, this VPN doesn’t store logs of your online history and IP address, as indicated by a few independent audits. Surfshark’s RAM-based servers are a testament to this as well.
Generally, this is a stellar service with no notable downsides to irritate you. Still, it’s a cheap VPN, so don’t expect it to have a level of polish like ExpressVPN.
For the money, it’s definitely a good VPN for Portugal whose discount can be claimed below.
Pros
- Incredible value for the money
- Unlimited concurrent connections
- Several independent audits
- Unblocks more than 30 Netflix catalogs (including Netflix PT)
Cons
- Average performance
- Located in the Netherlands
5. Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access has a self-explanatory name. It allows you to access the internet privately using its 30,000+ servers. This is the best VPN for Portugal if you’re looking for unlimited connections with a boatload of servers to pick from.
While an average performer, PIA takes pride in being secure. Its no-logs policy was proven in court many times but the provider also has an audit from Deloitte. Furthermore, PIA offers 256-bit encryption, which works wonderfully with its auto-kill-switch and IP leak protection.
PIA VPN users enjoy its MACE function for blocking ads, too. The ability to customize each protocol (WireGuard/OpenVPN) is welcome and options like SOCKS5 and Shadowsocks proxies are here. Obfuscation can also be used, alas, PIA isn’t working in China yet.
In our PIA VPN review, we mentioned its solid P2P servers that will be welcome for Portuguese residents. Its streaming capabilities are subpar, however, and it’ll work with merely a few Netflix catalogs and BBC iPlayer. PIA VPN’s Firestick app is also unavailable.
However, the provider’s focus is on something else. On your privacy and security, as well as avoiding ISP monitoring and data retention. So far, PIA VPN has proven to do this wonderfully well, as it easily belongs to the safest VPNs around.
Its price is modest, to say the least. There’s a special offer on this VPN that prices it in the neighborhood of $2 a month. Like other VPNs, it sports a 30-day money-back guarantee with a 7-day trial on mobile devices. What more to plead for?
Pros
- PIA MACE for blocking ads
- Customizable VPN protocols
- No-logging policy proven in court
- Includes Shadowsocks/SOCKS5 proxies
Cons
- No Firestick TV app
- Its speeds could be faster
- Streaming capabilities aren’t the best
Why Should I Use a VPN in Portugal?
If you’re still unsure whether or not to make the step and get a VPN, here’s why using it in Portugal seems like a good idea.
Anonymous Torrenting
Torrenting isn’t something you want to do openly in Portugal. Besides, ISPs in this country monitor your traffic and if you’re caught torrenting, you’ll likely be fined. Of course, this applies to licensed content but still, better safe than sorry.
Even torrent sites are unsafe, as they store your download history and IP address. That’s only one more reason to use a VPN for Portugal. A proper VPN like ExpressVPN will encrypt your traffic and fully anonymize all your torrenting activities.
This way, you can go online and engage in torrenting without the risk of being detected. Needless to say, we don’t recommend or encourage downloading licensed content because it’s illegal. Just because you can’t be detected, doesn’t mean you should do it.
Accessing Restricted Sites
Restricted sites in Portugal are numerous. Did you know that this country’s residents can’t access the most popular betting sites? Yet, if you’re there, you might want to place a bet or two on, let’s say, Betfair. In that case, you can also use a VPN.
With its IP-changing capabilities, every site can be accessible. Just alter your IP address to the UK or the country where a particular betting site works and you’re all set. Streaming platforms are also geo-restricted. Thus, Netflix US, Disney+, Hulu, Prime Video, and others are off-limits.
For streaming, we highly recommend using ExpressVPN or CyberGhost. These two work well for this scenario, as they’ll unblock almost any streaming portal you throw at them.
Our tests indicate that they also work with Netflix Portugal if you’re abroad.
Staying Safe on Public WiFi Hotspots
If you’re a tourist and you’ve come to visit some of the most breathtaking Portuguese cities, first, we admire you. But we’re not envious, so we recommend using the best VPN for Portugal to stay safe on public WiFi networks. You’ll inevitably have to use them.
Public WiFi networks are insecure and frequently lack any sort of encryption or password protection. This makes them open to hacker intrusions that can and WILL be detrimental to your privacy and personal data. Worry not. A VPN will come to the rescue.
Its encryption makes your connection unreadable and because of that, hackers can’t intercept it. Even if they manage to do that, all they’ll see will be a distorted mix of numbers, letters, and signs, indicating that encryption does its job.
Preventing ISP Throttling
While low-quality VPNs can throttle your speed, so can your ISP. It’s not rare for Portuguese ISPs to engage in throttling and intentionally reduce your connection speed and stability. It especially happens during torrenting, streaming, and even gaming.
Well, the solution is to connect to the best VPN that works in Portugal. Once your traffic is routed through the server and encrypted, your ISP won’t be able to do anything. You’ll be anonymous and your IP address will be changed. You’ll be a different person online.
As a result, the ISP won’t detect your online presence, and thus, won’t be able to impose any performance restrictions.
Can I Get a Portuguese IP Address With a VPN?
Portugues residents who find themselves overseas will often come up with this question. The answer is a strong YES. As we divulged previously, all the best VPNs listed here have servers in Portugal. The trick, henceforth, is to connect to one of these servers.
To make sure you understand everything fully, we’ll go through the required steps of obtaining a Portuguese IP address abroad.
Subscribe to a VPN for Portugal
Feel free to choose any provider from the list above. Our honest recommendation is ExpressVPN because it has servers in 105 countries, including this one. Bear in mind its 49% discount and 3 free months for the annual plan, which drops the price additionally.
Get a Portuguese IP With ExpressVPN
Simply use the button above, select the deal in the middle, and enter your email address. Next, choose the payment method and complete the payment. You’ll have to go to your email address afterward to verify the account and make a new password.
Install the VPN
Okay, so if your account is set up, it’s time to install the VPN. ExpressVPN works on any platform you want, with 8 simultaneous connections on offer. Don’t hesitate to equip all your devices with it, as the installation process is identical:
- Download the setup file on your macOS/Windows PC and install it or
- Get the app from Apple/Google store on your iOS/Android device.
Once you install the app and sign in, it’ll look like this on any of the selected platforms, be it mobile or desktop systems.
Connect to a Server in Portugal
At last, to use this VPN and obtain an IP address located in Portugal, connect to a server there.
We recommend opening the server list and just searching for the country from the search bar. Once you find it, double-click on it and ExpressVPN will connect.
In the screenshot below, you can see the interface turned green, showing us the connection is in place.
If you’re skeptical, here are our test results from IPlocation.net. You can clearly see our IP address has changed to Portugal.
Free VPNs for Portugal: Do We Recommend Any?
Free VPNs for Portugal aren’t our bag of beans and they most likely won’t be yours. If you need one for a Portuguese IP, you can pretty much forget about any option. Almost none of them offer servers in Portugal. However, let’s assume you’re in this country.
In that case, free providers sound sensible since you’ll connect to a server located somewhere else. Well, that will work but there are a few issues. Free providers often limit your monthly bandwidth to no more than 10 GB a month.
They’re slow and don’t work for torrenting/streaming for the most part. You’ll also find their small server networks infuriating, as they’re frequently overloaded, and thus, weak in performance and overall speed. Another downside is often their lack of security.
Free VPNs tend to have lower-grade encryption, with the lack of crucial features like MultiHop, a kill switch, and RAM-only servers. If you know this, you’ll most likely want to avoid them. We, however, recommend only two of them but even they are VERY limited.
1. ProtonVPN
ProtonVPN is the best free VPN in Portugal. It offers unlimited bandwidth, with excellent security and apps for all platforms. It’s equipped with WireGuard, offers RAM servers, and has a no-logging policy.
At first, it’s stellar but don’t forget its P2P forbiddance as well as its inability to unblock streaming services. Not to mention it can be painfully slow.
This VPN is easy to use and is completely free to download and use, which is great. But it still doesn’t have premium functions like Secure Core, NetShield, and all of its 3,100+ servers in nearly 70 countries. That’s what you get for not paying anything.
2. Atlas VPN
Atlas VPN allows for P2P and is pretty secure as well. We like its simplistic apps that span all platforms. While its security is on point and it doesn’t keep logs, Atlas VPN limits you to only 5 GB of monthly bandwidth. Saying this is enough would be a bold-faced lie.
The good thing is that it’ll occasionally work with Netflix but that’s extremely rare. Besides, it has just 3 server locations – 2 in the US, and 1 in the Netherlands. With the lack of 24/7 support and simultaneous connections, it does sound depressing.
3. TunnelBear (Free VPN with servers in Portugal)
There’s TunnelBear finally. A VPN with free servers in Portugal.
We’re against using this provider due to its fatal flaws like 2 GB of monthly bandwidth and very slow speed. The VPN even forbids P2P traffic and doesn’t work with any Netflix catalogs.
It does have a significant server fleet and offers all the bells and whistles regarding security and privacy. However, its bare-bones compatibility leaves a lot to be desired, as it won’t work on Linux or Firestick TV, both of which are popular among VPN users.
Bottom Line
To digress, the best VPN for Portugal in 2024 is ExpressVPN. As the #1 choice, it’s a tad more expensive than the others but also without any noticeable flaws. CyberGhost comes in second place and costs way less but it’s slower and lacks obfuscation.
We put NordVPN next, as it’s a solid all-arounder at an affordable price. It’s safe, secure, and pretty fast thanks to the NordLynx protocol. The last two options are even cheaper, with unlimited connections, no-logs policies, and modern security features.
Most importantly, all VPNs have a money-back guarantee, which lets you test each risk-free and see which one suits you most in Portugal.
