Italians trying to watch Italian TV abroad are in for a nasty surprise. When they venture into a foreign land, they’ll notice that nearly all content from their home is no longer accessible. All of a sudden, you can’t watch RaiPlay, La7, or even Netflix Italy. Geo-blocks are discouraging, but luckily, not insurmountable.
Italian TV channels and streaming libraries operate strictly within this country. They use IP-detection methods to discover your location. It’s easy to see why you can’t watch Italian TV abroad: your IP is foreign. However, you can unblock and watch Italian TV abroad with a VPN that offers servers in this country.
Guide to Watch Italian TV Abroad Using a VPN
So, how to get Italian TV abroad and enjoy your favorite content? As said, you need a VPN, but not just any. Our experts unanimously agree that NordVPN is the best one. It offers over 9,000 servers in 130 countries, including hundreds on Italian soil. Best of all, it has a 30-day money-back guarantee, so it’s risk-free.
- Get NordVPN: Download and install NordVPN on your device. It’s available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and other platforms.
- Connect to an Italian Server: Once installed, open NordVPN and connect to an Italian VPN server. Within seconds, you’ll be assigned an Italian IP address.
- Watch Italian TV anywhere: You’re ready to roll now. Go to any Italian TV channel (RaiPlay, Mediaset, etc.), sign in if needed, and start watching.
Besides Mediaset, NordVPN also works perfectly with other Italian channels like RaiPlay and Netflix Italy. Whether it’s live sports, news, or exclusive TV series, NordVPN gives you full access no matter where you are in the world. Plus, the 30-day money-back guarantee means you can test it out without any risk.
Best VPN to Watch Italian TV Abroad in 2026
Accessing Italian TV channels overseas is only possible with a VPN. But as you know, not all VPN providers are made equal. So, if you’d like to access Mediaset, RaiPlay, or any other TV channel anywhere, you need a fast, reliable, and widely compatible VPN. These three check all the boxes, so let’s discuss them.
1. NordVPN: Best VPN to Get Italian TV Abroad
Pros
- Fast servers in Italy
- Compatible with all systems
- Advanced security
- Unlimited VPN data
- Functional ad blocker
- Affordable biennial plans
Cons
- No free plan
- Higher renewal price
If you’re looking to stream Italian TV abroad, NordVPN is a top pick. It’s the best streaming VPN overall, with unlimited bandwidth, fast speeds, and over 50 Italian servers. In our tests, it unblocked all TV channels from this country and worked without buffering. Plus, we could set it up on any device due to its compatibility.
Fans of motorsports will love its ability to access MotoGP live-streams on free channels. At the same time, NordVPN unblocks Netflix Italy wherever you are. Speed-wise, the VPN pulls no punches, offering 10 Gbps server throughput and NordLynx, an in-house protocol. During our tests, speeds dipped by just 15%.
Since NordVPN works on all devices, you can connect to a server with a click. Additionally, it offers an ad blocker, malware protection, and obfuscated servers, all essential for privacy and sidestepping geo-blocks. If you want to watch Italian TV in the UK, US, Europe, or any other location, NordVPN has you covered.
NordVPN unblocks Italian TV channels for a pocket change. Its Basic plan may not be one of the most feature-rich offers, but it costs only $3.39 per month for two years. Then, you get a 30-day money-back guarantee, which makes it totally risk-free. For more information, read our full NordVPN review.
2. ExpressVPN: The Fastest VPN to Watch Italian TV Abroad
Pros
- Easy-to-use apps
- Fast and reliable
- Solid privacy
- Tracker protection
- Works with Netflix IT
Cons
- No MultiHop routing
- Higher cost on renewal
If you’re looking for a fast and reliable VPN to access Italian TV abroad, ExpressVPN makes a lot of sense. With servers in Milan and Cosenza, watching RaiPlay and other channels will be a breeze. Since it uses a fast Lightway Turbo protocol and 10 Gbps servers, expect smooth and buffer-free streaming, as well.
In our tests, ExpressVPN showed a minor speed decrease of only 20%, but that’s normal. Its consistency was impressive, and we never lost our VPN connection. When you watch Italian TV abroad, ExpressVPN protects you with its ad blocker. The same goes for watching US TV channels in Italy, if you want that.
ExpressVPN has all the bells and whistles expected from a flagship VPN. A 256-bit cipher, a kill switch, a verified no-log policy, and even IPv6 leak protection for more privacy. It’s very simple to set up and use, and with 14 simultaneous connections, watching Italian TV works like a charm, no matter the device.
Now, for the price. ExpressVPN is inexpensive, particularly if you pick its biennial Basic plan, which costs anywhere from $2.44 to $3.49 per month, depending on the promotion. But if you don’t like it or no longer need it, a refund policy is always on the table. Give it a shot and unblock Italian TV channels swiftly.
3. Private Internet Access: Cheap VPN for Italian TV Overseas
Pros
- Large server network
- Unlimited devices
- Reliable obfuscation
- Very affordable
Cons
- Occasional slow speeds
- Cluttered UI
PIA VPN is a no-brainer when you want to watch Italian TV abroad on a budget. With servers in 91 countries, including Italy, unblocking all content is one click away. To that, we’ll add its excellent speed with WireGuard and unlimited data for endless streaming. If you’re easily annoyed by ads, PIA has a MACE ad blocker.
However, you can also enjoy SmartDNS to unblock other content on Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and other famous streamers. Private Internet Access is mostly about privacy and security, so users often enjoy its MultiHop servers for two encryption layers, while Shadowsocks (obfuscation) makes it functional in censored regions.
During our speed tests, PIA VPN lost very little speed. You can get Italian TV abroad in 4K without a fuss. One of its biggest selling points is unlimited simultaneous connections. That, with excellent support for all systems, guarantees complete satisfaction. Finally, there’s the price, which you’ll love.
Private Internet Access costs only $2.03 to $2.19 per month for two years. Its promotions are known for including two to four free months and a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you wish to test it, this is one of the best free trial VPN deals.
Can I Watch Italian TV Abroad With a Free VPN?
While free VPNs sound appealing, they come with significant drawbacks that make them unsuitable for reliably watching Italian TV abroad in 2026. For starters, most free VPNs don’t offer servers in Italy, so you’ll have a tough time trying to get an Italian IP address. Free VPNs also tend to be painfully slow.
Streaming video content requires fast speeds, especially if you want to enjoy shows in HD or 4K. Unfortunately, free VPNs limit bandwidth or throttle speeds, resulting in constant buffering and reduced video quality. This makes them a poor choice for binge-watching your favorite Italian TV shows abroad.
Another concern is security. Many free VPN services have weak privacy protections, and some even track user activity to sell to third parties. In fact, many free VPNs have been caught injecting ads or exposing users to security risks. There are a few exceptions, such as ProtonVPN, which offers a good free VPN.
However, the downside is that its free version doesn’t include servers in Italy, so you still can’t watch Italian TV. If you want to stream Italian TV without interruptions and enjoy reliable security, invest in a premium VPN service like NordVPN. It offers fast servers in Italy, unlimited bandwidth, and robust privacy features.
What to Look for in a VPN to Watch Italian TV Abroad
When choosing a VPN to access Italian TV from outside Italy, it’s not just about finding the best deal or the most popular service. You need a VPN specifically designed for streaming Italian content. Let’s break down the key factors to consider.
🌍 Italian Servers for Local Content Access
This is essential for getting an Italian IP address, required to access RaiPlay, Mediaset, Sky Italia, and other Italian content. Without this, you’ll be stuck trying to bypass geo-restrictions. NordVPN, for example, has multiple servers in Italy, offering reliable access to local content anywhere on the globe.
The more servers available, the less congested they’ll be, which improves speed, stability, and streaming quality. All three VPNs from above check this box. In fact, they’re some of the fastest VPN providers we tested recently.
⚡ Speed for Buffer-Free Streaming
Streaming Italian TV in HD or even 4K can be data-intensive, so you want a VPN with high-speed servers. Look for a VPN that consistently offers high download speeds. A good indicator is whether the VPN has its own protocol, like NordLynx (NordVPN) or Lightway (ExpressVPN), both built for speed.
If the VPN throttles your connection or the servers are overcrowded, you’ll get buffering or low-quality streams. That happens when a VPN slows down your connection significantly, and that, logically, happens only to low-quality ones.
📺 Streaming Service Compatibility
Not all VPNs can unblock popular streaming services. Many Italian channels and platforms, including Canale 5 and Rai 2, have strong geo-blocks. So, it’s crucial to choose a VPN that is known for bypassing these restrictions reliably. Private Internet Access (PIA), for instance, is effective at unblocking streaming services.
Though NordVPN and ExpressVPN are generally more consistent for bypassing geo-blocks and other restrictions on streaming services in Italy or abroad.
📲 Multi-Device Support
If you’re watching Italian TV on various devices, you need a VPN that supports the mall. Most VPNs today offer apps for a wide range of platforms, but some are easier to use and set up than others. You also get 10 to unlimited simultaneous connections for watching Italian TV channels abroad more easily.
⚙️ Ease of Use
A good VPN should be simple to install and use, even if you’re not tech-savvy. Look for VPNs with user-friendly apps and easy-to-navigate interfaces. ExpressVPN, for instance, offers a very intuitive app that lets you easily connect to an Italian server with just one click (it’s no surprise that it’s a top VPN for Android).
If you’re looking for a more customizable VPN, Private Internet Access provides a range of settings to adjust, yet it remains simple enough for most users.
Final Verdict
To watch Italian TV channels outside Italy, you must use a VPN. Free proxies, free VPNs, and other shady solutions won’t cut it. If you’re temporarily abroad, you have nothing to lose by opting for NordVPN, ExpressVPN, or Private Internet Access. Their low prices and generous free trials make testing risk-free.
At the same time, they display a high level of performance, unmatched speeds, and robust security that make them some of the top options overall. Ready to access Italian TV channels anywhere? Click below to get our #1 VPN, NordVPN. Alternatively, explore other NordVPN alternatives presented in this guide.
Access Italian TV Channels NordVPN
Frequently Asked Questions
How to watch Italian TV in the UK?
To watch Italian TV in the UK, you must swap your UK IP address with the one from Italy. The only way to do that is with a VPN with Italian servers, and NordVPN, with dozens, is the best option that reliably works across all devices.
How to watch Italian TV in USA?
To watch Italian TV channels in the USA, connect to a VPN server in Italy to swap your IP. Use a fast and streaming-ready VPN (NordVPN) that provides seamless access.
Can I access Rai TV abroad?
Yes, you can access Rai TV abroad by using a VPN. Otherwise, it won’t work, as it’s licensed to broadcast content only to visitors from Italy (with an Italian IP address).