Best VPNs for Europe in 2026 Tested & Ranked

The third-largest continent population-wise is known for the lack of censorship and favorable privacy thanks to GDPR. However, this doesn’t mean some of you can’t benefit from the best VPN for Europe. VPNs are widely used across all European countries.

Moreover, tourists in European countries often use a VPN to get an IP address from their home country. This, in turn, allows for overcoming geo-blocks and using, for example, online banking. A VPN is also a tourist’s best friend for online privacy and security.

Public WiFi hotspots are swarming with hackers looking to steal your sensitive data. The best VPN for Europe in 2026 protects you with encryption. It makes your connection a garbled mess, ensuring it’s unreadable to evil snoopers. Overall, a VPN has many benefits. From unblocking sites and privacy protection to security, torrenting, gaming, etc.

Let’s see what are the most reliable EU VPN providers and discover their unique features.

Best VPN for Europe 2026: Top Picks Reviewed

We’ve laid out our list above for those too lazy to read.

Should you just go ahead and pick NordVPN? To be frank, yes, as it’s our overall favorite provider. However, we invite you to explore other options, as each offers something you’ll like and varies in price. Read on for more information.

1. NordVPN – Our #1 Choice Overall

Let’s begin with one absolutely ideal provider for Europe – NordVPN.

NordVPN is based in Panama, and from there, operates over 7,200 servers in 118 countries. The provider is famous for its onslaught of European VPN servers but also over 2,000 of them in the United States. NordVPN is an all-arounder, so it’s a jack of all trades.

Europeans love it for privacy because it’s covered by a no-log policy and uses RAM-based servers. In our NordVPN review, we praised its security, which comes in the form of a Double VPN and 256-bit encryption, both of which deter snoopers within seconds.

As the #1 VPN for Europe, NordVPN also has nifty tools like split tunneling, a kill switch, IP/DNS leak protection, and other essentials. Users can enjoy a variety of streaming services, as well. NordVPN helps you access American Netflix in Europe and unblock BBC iPlayer abroad.

A huge perk for people in Germany, France, and other countries is P2P support. Given these countries’ anti-torrenting stance, it’s good to stay private while downloading in P2P. NordVPN also supports ad-blocking and malware protection with Threat Protection Pro.

However, it’s available in the Plus plan, which costs a speck more. NordVPN covers all devices and we’re especially fond of its streaming-oriented clients for Apple TV and Firestick. It even works on an Android Smart TV and supports 10 simultaneous connections.

Being a superb EU VPN, NordVPN leaves no space for flaws. Even its price favors budget users who don’t want to spend over $3.5/mo. Best of all, they get an unconditional 30-day money-back guarantee to give it a go risk-free. Get your 70% discount below and enjoy.

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2. ExpressVPN – Best for Speed

ExpressVPN is built for speed but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. This outstanding Europe VPN spans over 105 countries and 160 cities, making it impressive at first sight. You’ll fall in love with its groundbreaking VPN apps which excel in ease of use and are beginner-friendly. Besides, ExpressVPN supports all devices you can fathom.

While its 8 simultaneous connections can be improved, ExpressVPN’s other aspects are top-tier. It has a no-log policy audited 10+ times, plus, it’s based in the British Virgin Islands, having the best base for privacy out of all VPNs. It comes with bleeding-edge tech, too!

For example, its TrustedServer technology translates to RAM-only servers. It also uses Perfect Forward Secrecy to add privacy, along with an industry-leading Lightway protocol, Threat Manager for tracker protection, and even the Network Lock kill switch. Such a long list!

As one of our recommended VPNs for Europe, ExpressVPN is also streaming-optimized. The same goes for its nifty browser extension, which unblocks Netflix, BBC iPlayer, ABC, and foreign TV channels through location spoofing. Torrenting is fully allowed on all servers.

On top of that, ExpressVPN uses tried-and-tested VPN obfuscation, so it’s ideal for overcoming censorship. That’s why it’s a great VPN to use in Russia, which partially resides in Europe. ExpressVPN isn’t as feature-rich as NordVPN and lacks Multi-hop connections.

However, it offers market-leading 24/7 support and is very reliable in Europe. Gizmodo lets you seize the opportunity and get this phenomenal EU VPN at 61% off thanks to 4 free months for the 2-year plan. We don’t need to explicitly say it’s risk-free for 30 days, right?

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3. Private Internet Access – Great for Server Count

A robust VPN for Europe like PIA comes with an impressive server count that goes well over 30,000. You have servers in 91 countries plus unlimited simultaneous connections. This, in turn, allows you to protect all devices and not worry about their number – sweet!

PIA lacks an app for Firestick, but other great VPNs for Fire TV are here if you’re interested. Its main appeal is noteworthy security, which consists of Multi-hop, Shadowsocks Proxy, 256-bit GCM encryption, and beefy RAM-based servers. PIA is based in the United States.

However, its 5 Eyes jurisdiction doesn’t phase it privacy-wise. With a no-log policy proven in court, you’ll be sure no logs of your online voyages are stored. Not to mention the provider’s audit by Deloitte, which confirms its bold claims. Streaming-wise, it’s not the best option.

On the other side, it works with Netflix US in Europe and offers access to out-of-market NFL matches for American expats. Private Internet Access can protect you on public WiFi networks, and thanks to an optional antivirus, you can clear up stubborn threats.

Private Internet Access also works in China relatively well. Plus, all plans come with Port Forwarding, which speeds up P2P speeds. The downside is its average performance and a clunky Windows client. PIA works much better on iOS and Android, for example.

Its excellence is topped up by the lowest-in-class prices.

Namely, the 2-year plan is on a discount year-round by 80% and more. The company usually bundles up 2 or 4 free months on top and doesn’t cost over $2.3/mo. Pair this with a useful 7-day trial and a 30-day refund policy and you get a recipe for success.

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4. Proton VPN – Best-in-Class Privacy for Europe

Proton VPN, one of our top picks for Europe, is a perfect VPN that also resides on European soil. To be precise, it’s in Switzerland, which, while outside the EU, operates under GDPR and is great for privacy. How so? For one, Switzerland is a privacy-oriented country.

This allows Proton VPN to follow up with an uninterrupted no-log policy consequently audited by multiple third-party firms. Its tech also aims at privacy-conscious users and includes Secure Core servers, a NetShield ad blocker, and physical server protection.

Additional features are Stealth VPN for overcoming censorship and WireGuard with 256-bit encryption, both of which keep snoopers at bay. Proton VPN performs surprisingly well, especially with its VPN Accelerator on. This is why it’s a popular gaming VPN for many.

Also, it offers dedicated streaming servers for Netflix, all of which function like a well-oiled engine. Proton VPN’s engine is a beefy one if we include a free VPN plan with unlimited bandwidth, the same imposing level of privacy, and access to most of its security features.

Talk about generosity!

This VPN is well-suited for Europe because it’s sort of an all-arounder like NordVPN or ExpressVPN. However, in our testing, we found it a bit slower than the two. Its customer support is also not the most responsive and could use a slight overhaul.

Unlike the rest of the top EU VPN providers, Proton VPN doesn’t include any free months for its cheapest plan. Speaking of which, it’s a 2-year plan at under $4/mo, which, compared to PIA or Surfshark, isn’t the most inexpensive but still worth the money.

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5. Surfshark – Suitable for Budget Users

Let’s balance things out with Surfshark as one of the key providers for people on a budget. Surfshark’s biennial plans are discounted by well over 80% and start at as little as ~$2/mo. At this price, you can get a safe and secure VPN for Europe that simultaneously offers Multi-hop connections, NoBorders for overcoming censorship, and a CleanWeb ad-blocker.

The proposition is amplified with Surfshark’s IP Rotator, which rotates your IP periodically while keeping the connection active. It’s great that Surfshark has a handful of servers – over 3,200, so you’ll get plenty of virtual locations in Europe and abroad. What about speed?

It’s not range-topping but still decent thanks to WireGuard and 10 Gbps server ports. Surfshark, however, capitalizes on streaming, as it works with over 30 Netflix catalogs and even offers a browser extension that does the same. We don’t need to mention P2P, though.

As the best Netflix VPN that you can use in Europe, Surfshark unblocks any site you throw at it. If you pay for its mid-tier plan, you can get its antivirus for all devices and be able to generate a fake identity to go online in complete privacy, which is a unique feature.

Surfshark is another provider with unlimited concurrent connections and apps for all platforms. Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android – all of them are there, even including routers. Like the rest of the pack, the VPN has a clear no-log policy for more privacy.

It’s actually based in the Netherlands, so it’s a “direct” EU VPN. Apart from expensive monthly prices, occasional longer connection times, and its 9 Eyes jurisdiction, we couldn’t find alarming downsides, so its place on the list is more than justified.

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How Did We Rank the Best VPNs for Europe?

Now that you’re acquainted with our favorite picks, we should explain our reasoning. In other words, we’ll explain how we came to this list and which criteria we used to evaluate and rank each of the recommended VPNs for Europe:

1. Privacy and security: We wanted all VPNs to be private and secure. To clarify, all of them nourish zero-logs policies with external audits, backed by top-of-the-line security features. These are quintessential for public WiFi protection that tourists appreciate.
2. Streaming & overcoming geo-blocks: All VPNs on our list are equipped to handle your streaming needs. You can access them all in Europe without hassle, be it Netflix, Hulu, or even Pluto TV. Even on another continent, you can watch a myriad of European TV channels as if you were physically there. On top of all that, you’ll have no trouble accessing your favorite sports betting site from abroad (see our article on the best VPNs for sports betting).
3. Torrenting: Europe isn’t fond of torrenting and will gladly put you under a microscope for suspicious P2P activities. With powerful encryption and a kill switch, you can conceal them all with our P2P-friendly VPNs for Europe. Just don’t download copyrighted files and you’ll be on the right side of the law!
4. Performance: Our top 5 VPNs for Europe offer 10 Gbps server ports and modern protocols like NordLynx, Lightway, and WireGuard. While some are faster than others, they all perform like champs and are far better than their free counterparts.
5. Compatibility: You’ll find these providers on all devices, which makes them easier to set up. Moreover, you’ll enjoy 8 to unlimited simultaneous connections for multi-device protection.
6. Price-to-performance ratio: You won’t pay a fortune to possess a quality VPN for Europe. Starting at as little as ~$2.2/mo, you can enjoy our top picks and not feel regret for spending money. We assure you it’s a proper investment to make!

Are VPN Services Legal in Europe?

If we group all European countries, we’ll notice, more or less, a shared VPN trend.

Almost all European countries allow legal use of a VPN. By legal, we mean purposes outlined in this article, such as streaming, unblocking websites, concealing your IP address, torrenting non-copyrighted material, gaming, etc. That said, you’re free to use the service in Europe.

However, there are a few exceptions to the rule and so-called “grey areas”.

A “grey area” is Russia, where VPNs are technically legal but the companies with servers in the country must hand out their user-related data to operate. Most VPNs, therefore, have virtual Russian servers instead of physical ones to avoid such discrepancies.

You can, however, use a VPN in Russia and not be arrested, prosecuted, punished, etc.

Then, we have Belarus, where VPNs are off-limits. They’re deemed illegal and are mostly banned, so you can’t use them either way. However, the authorities can’t fully enforce the law because of technical limitations, which means you can, in theory, get away with them.

As Belarus deems VPNs illegal, we don’t endorse violating the law and going that route.

Thankfully, all other European countries have VPN-favorable laws. You’ll find NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and other best VPNs for Europe readily available. We discussed the VPN legality in different countries here for those willing to learn more.

Verdict

A VPN goes a long way in optimizing your internet experience in a multitude of aspects.

From boosted security and privacy to enhanced streaming and anonymous torrenting. This, and everything in between, is endorsed by our top-rated VPNs for Europe tested and ranked by our team. We recommend NordVPN because it showed the best results in our tests.

Being so affordable, yet so capable, it’s an ideal option for those seeking value for money.

We’re fond of ExpressVPN and its cheetah-like speeds, as well as PIA’s thousands of servers and unlimited simultaneous connections. Going down the rabbit hole, you can also test Proton VPN for free and get its beefier 2-year premium version with innovative features.

Or you can read our Surfshark VPN review and honor yourself with its excitingly inexpensive 2-year deals with flagship security tools. There’s ample choice to feel spoiled. But don’t stress it. You deserve a dependable VPN in Europe or elsewhere. You owe it to yourself!

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FAQ

If you’re hungry for more information, let’s cover a few questions for further clarification.

What’s the fastest VPN I can use in Europe?

While all our providers are lightning-fast, some stick out from the crowd. In particular, NordVPN and ExpressVPN are the alpha males of the pack, while PIA, Proton VPN, and Surfshark are a bit slower than them. If you prioritize bandwidth-intensive activities, NordVPN is definitely a no-brainer because of its overall stability.

It retains the most speed when using farther servers, as opposed to, let’s say PIA, whose long-distance performance slightly falters.

Should I use a VPN as a tourist in Europe?

You definitely should use a VPN in Europe as a tourist. In fact, a VPN is a perfect travel companion. You never know what can go wrong in a foreign country, on an insecure public WiFi hotspot. Imagine getting fleeced by a hacker who steals your credit card details and money. What will you do? Let’s not be that pessimistic.

We’ll be realistic instead and get a VPN to secure your precious information. With its encryption, you can safely connect to any public WiFi hotspot and watch snoopers die trying to break the encryption by brute force. Having this ironclad protection plus the ability to unblock sites, banking apps, and streaming services makes you feel invincible.

To help you choose the best VPN based on your current location, check out our comparison of VPNs for Italy or our top 5 VPNs for the UK.

Can I watch US TV in Europe with a VPN?

Yep, and that’s just another beauty of it! American tourists or even those with no connection to the USA can safely unblock all American streaming platforms and US TV channels. We highlighted this possibility in our guide about unblocking ESPN+ outside the USA, where NordVPN showed its magic!

However, ESPN+ is just the beginning. You can access MSNBC, ABC, The CW, Discovery+, Netflix US, Hulu, and various other streaming giants if you’re in Europe by changing your IP to the United States. Good luck doing that without a VPN!