Every year, a few million people travel from the UK to North America. Add that to many fans of British shows and movies, and there’s a massive audience wanting to know how to watch UK Netflix in the US and abroad. Unfortunately, it’s not that straightforward because Netflix doesn’t make it easy for its fans.
Due to licensing agreements, the platform’s library is different for each country. That leaves countless fans unable to stream their favorite TV shows and movies when they’re outside the United Kingdom. But don’t worry: there are ways to work around this issue and access UK Netflix abroad, no matter where you are.
In this article, we’ll focus on the safest and most reliable method: using a VPN service. This is the only 100% certain way to watch UK Netflix abroad and enjoy the full catalog. Our guide is below, and we explain everything in depth later on.
How to Watch UK Netflix in US and Abroad (Step-by-Step Guide for 2026)
- Subscribe to a VPN that works with UK Netflix. We recommend NordVPN with 440+ UK servers optimized for streaming and fast speeds.
- Set up the VPN on your device.
- Connect to a UK server to get a British IP address.
- Watch UK Netflix abroad by signing in to your account.
How a VPN Changes Your Netflix Location to the UK
Before diving into the steps to follow, let’s explain how a VPN works its magic. Ultimately, it comes down to your IP address, a unique identifier that tells websites and apps like Netflix where you are, approximately.
When you connect to a VPN server, say in the UK, it masks your device’s IP address and replaces it with one from a server there. To be clear, a VPN isn’t the only way to change your IP address; it’s just the best approach.
To Netflix, it looks like you’re browsing from the UK, even if you’re chilling on a couch in the US or a French cafe. So, it switches the library to the one curated for the UK audience, and you can enjoy all the British titles you want.
How to Watch UK Netflix in US or Elsewhere: In-Depth Guide
Using a VPN to unblock Netflix might sound intimidating, especially if you’re not tech-savvy. However, it’s easier than you think. After all, most VPNs are designed to be user-friendly for users of all experience levels. Here’s everything you need to know:
Step 1: Sign Up for a VPN Subscription
The VPN you choose can make or break your streaming experience. For starters, it must have servers in the UK. The more, the merrier. But more importantly, it must be powerful enough to unblock Netflix—no small feat, considering the platform’s increasingly sophisticated efforts to block VPNs.
We’ll highlight a few VPNs up to the task shortly, but we recommend NordVPN as the standout option. It has a consistent track record of allowing users to change their region and access exclusive Netflix libraries, not just in the UK but across most regions. Plus, it even comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
That means you can confirm if it allows you to stream UK Netflix in the US and abroad before committing. Visit your preferred VPN’s website and provide the required information to subscribe and create a new account.
Unblock Netflix UK with NordVPN
Step 2: Set Up the VPN and Connect
Once you’ve completed the first step, download the provider’s app to your device. Any VPN worth its salt has native apps for all popular operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. With the VPNs we recommend, you can even download an app for your Android TV, Apple TV, Fire TV Stick, or Roku.
Launch the app and sign in with your credentials. After that, you’ll see the dashboard, from where you can connect to the UK server. Scroll down the server list or use the search bar to find the UK. Click on it, and NordVPN will connect in seconds:
Step 3: Watch UK Netflix in the US or Abroad
Now for the fun part. Once connected to a UK server, head to the Netflix website or open the app. Log in to your account, and voilà, your Netflix library will magically switch to the UK version. Browse through and watch the titles you’re interested in, and don’t forget to deactivate the VPN connection once you’re done.
Best VPN to Watch UK Netflix in US and Abroad
Remember how we said your streaming experience depends heavily on the VPN you choose? There are hundreds of VPN services, but very few have what it takes to unblock Netflix UK abroad. Luckily, your trial-and-error days are over. These three are the right choices to use Netflix UK in the US and abroad reliably.
1. NordVPN: Best Netflix UK VPN Abroad
Pros
- Fast UK servers for Netflix
- Unlimited data
- Supports streaming devices
- Many security features
Cons
- Higher price on renewal
NordVPN is our favorite VPN for Netflix, and pretty much any other streaming service. Of its massive network in 130 countries, 440+ servers are dotted across four British cities, so you’re spoiled for choice. We also like how easy the well-organized server section makes picking and choosing a server.
Most importantly, its broad server fleet is always streaming-ready. Whether you’re trying to watch from Netflix UK from the United States or abroad, NordVPN makes short work of the geo-restrictions. It also easily unblocks other Netflix libraries, from the US to Canada, France, Germany, Brazil, Argentina, and Australia.
Want to switch to UK TV channels instead? The provider unlocks live programming on BBC iPlayer, ITVX, and many more. On top of that, thanks to its fleet of speed-friendly servers and many optimizations, NordVPN is wickedly fast. You can stream in the highest quality with no buffering, even far away from UK servers.
2. ExpressVPN: Best for Smooth HD Streaming
Pros
- Easy-to-use apps
- Fast VPN connection
- Wide server network
- Affordable Basic plan
Cons
- Higher renewal cost
- Not many features
The self-proclaimed best VPN for the UK is another excellent choice for streaming British Netflix from the USA or any other country. While it has a strong focus on privacy, it excels in other areas, such as its exceptional unblocking capabilities. Connecting to any UK server will unblock UK Netflix abroad easily.
But that also applies to UK TV channels and online bookies. During our test, the VPN unblocked every platform we threw at it. A team member living outside the US could access American Netflix and other US-restricted services like Pluto TV. So, keep it in mind when you need a VPN on your trips abroad.
What’s more, ExpressVPN is reliable and fast, thanks to a well-serviced network of 10 Gbps servers and modern protocols (expect the best results from Lightway, its custom option). It has easy-to-use apps across virtually every platform, so you’re covered on whatever device you want to stream with.
3. Private Internet Access: Best Cheap VPN
Pros
- Unlimited devices
- Streaming servers
- No-log policy
Cons
- Not the fastest VPN
- Cluttered UI
Consider PIA if you’re on a strict budget because it’s the most affordable VPN on this list. We also like its unlimited simultaneous connections, which means you can stream UK Netflix on all your devices if you want. Its servers in London and Southampton are optimized for performance when you get a UK IP address.
Granted, they don’t deliver the blazing-fast speeds of NordVPN or ExpressVPN, but you’ll have no issues enjoying bufferless streaming, even in 4K. It’s worth mentioning that PIA has been upping its game lately when it comes to unblocking. It previously struggled to beat Netflix blocks, but not anymore.
The VPN now unblocks UK Netflix and several other libraries. Connecting to its streaming-optimized UK location guarantees the smoothest experience on BBC iPlayer, ITV, and other UK-based services. PIA’s apps are open-source and available across just about every commonly used operating system.
Get Private Internet Access Today
Can You Use a Free VPN to Watch UK Netflix?
No, you can’t, and we don’t recommend a free VPN to watch UK Netflix in the US or abroad. The same applies if you want to watch American Netflix outside the US. The streaming service is wise to subscribers changing their Netflix regions with VPNs and has become better at detecting and blocking VPN traffic.
Free VPNs can’t keep up with the measures used. Besides, even if they could find a way in, the limited server network you can access means you’ll endure frustratingly slow speeds and constant buffering. Hardly the best way to enjoy a Netflix marathon, but either way, you won’t be able to start it in the first place.
Bottom Line
There’s no accessing UK movies and shows on Netflix outside the country unless you change your IP address to the UK. In this article, we walked you through the simple steps to follow so you can watch UK Netflix in the US and abroad with a VPN (because that’s the most effective way to mask your IP address).
We also recommended a couple of providers. NordVPN is our top pick due to its unparalleled unblocking capabilities and lightning-fast connection speeds, not to mention the hundreds of servers it has in the UK. ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access are more than decent alternatives if you wish to explore them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch Netflix abroad?
Yes, you can, unless you’re in a country that bans Netflix altogether. If this happens, you can regain access with a reliable VPN that works with Netflix, such as NordVPN.
Can I watch films on Netflix UK overseas?
Yes, you can, but only if you use a VPN. When you go abroad, you don’t have a UK IP address needed to access the British catalog, so you must get one from a VPN.
Can I use my Netflix account abroad?
You can use your account without issues, but you may see a different library of content from your country. This can be fixed by getting an IP address from your country from a solid VPN for Netflix, such as NordVPN or ExpressVPN.