Living in (or visiting) Spain but craving your favorite American-based television content? We get it, especially considering the United States is home to several Spanish-language networks and channels. Here’s the good news: even with the vast Atlantic in the way, you can watch US TV in Spain.
However, you’ll need a workaround, as most channels employ geo-restrictions to keep their content exclusive to American audiences. That means that, on its own, even an active subscription cannot grant you access to live and on-demand programs on many US platforms when you travel abroad.
In this article, we’ll outline the steps for streaming the news, shows, and movies behind those blocks using a virtual private network (VPN). To simplify your choice, we’ll discuss the best VPNs for accessing American TV from Spain.
Why is it not possible to watch American TV in Spain?
In the United States, watching TV is a breeze. You may use the traditional cable or satellite subscription approach to access local channels or a live TV streaming service like Hulu + Live TV. Plus, many major network channels are free-to-air, so you can watch them live without a subscription.
Accessing those same platforms when you travel or move to Spain is not so straightforward.
This time, when you visit a TV network like Discovery Plus or NBC, you’re likely to encounter a roadblock that looks like this:
What’s responsible? Geo-restrictions. They are the invisible fences that content providers use to limit access to their programming based on your physical location due to licensing agreements with rights holders.
The TV channels you visit pinpoint your approximate location using your device’s IP address and restrict your access because, well, the content isn’t licensed for you over there.
That’s where a VPN comes in. A VPN encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through a server in a different location. The process masks your actual IP address, replaces it with a temporary IP, and makes it appear like you’re connecting from that location.
Say it’s a US server located in an American city. Those TV platforms see a US-based IP address when they detect you — and invite you to stream their live or catch-up programming.
It’s a clever workaround that mostly depends on the geo-block bypassing capability of your chosen VPN provider.
How to Watch US TV Channels in Spain — Tutorial
The idea of using a VPN, with terms like “servers,” “geo-restrictions,” and “kill switches,” may sound intimidating, especially for first-timers. But worry not. Most VPN providers have made setting up and using their apps incredibly user-friendly.
Here’s a quick guide with all the steps you need to follow to access American TV in Spain. In a matter of minutes, you should be ready to start streaming.
Watch American TV in Spain with NordVPN
- Choose a VPN Service: Your ideal provider must offer United States-based servers, but you should look beyond location. Consider speed and stability for smooth streaming, top-notch features to keep your online activities secure and private, and a user-friendly interface. We recommend NordVPN as it offers an excellent combination of those requirements.
- Subscribe and Install: Head to the VPN’s official website to sign up for an account. Explore its pricing page and choose a subscription plan that works for you. Purchase the plan using one of the available payment methods.Once done, download the VPN file for your device from the website. Launch and follow the instructions to install.
- Connect to a US VPN Server: Sign in to the newly installed app with your account credentials. On the server menu, navigate to a server in an American location and connect to it. Wait a few moments while the VPN establishes the connection and grants you a US IP address.
- Watch American TV in Spain (live and on demand). Return to the television platform or hub and clear your browser cookies. If you use a quality VPN service, you should be able to enjoy the captivating content on US television channels in Spain or anywhere you like.
The 5 Best VPNs to Watch US TV in Spain in 2026
The chances of successfully streaming American TV channels in Spain with a random VPN pick are not great. You may manage to unblock a channel, but if the provider is slow, you’ll not enjoy the viewing experience. And what if it comes with security vulnerabilities?
To help you avoid these frustrations, we’ve tested 40+ VPNs and curated a list of the five best providers to watch US TV in Spain.
1. NordVPN
Highly-rated NordVPN is arguably the best VPN provider on the market. It offers more than 8,000 servers in 126 countries, with 1,900+ distributed across 16 United States locations.
It’s the fastest VPN around anyway, thanks to well-optimized 10 Gbps servers and a custom protocol built around WireGuard (NordLynx). That means minimal impact to your internet connection, even though you’re connected all the way from Spain.
The provider also easily bypasses the geo-blocks on US-based TV channels and streaming services. As a result, you’ll enjoy access to your favorite programming, whether live or catch-up.
A feature-rich arsenal has your back online. The provider’s AES 256-bit encryption is impervious to man-in-the-middle attacks and is virtually unbreakable. NordVPN also offers a kill switch, defense against DNS leaks, and advanced tools like Onion over VPN for extra layers of security. What’s more, it operates a strict no-logs policy.
You can stream US TV in Spain on up to 10 connected devices simultaneously. All subscription plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Pros
- Lightning-fast VPN service
- Expansive network of servers
- Easily unblocks US TV networks and channels
- Feature-rich
- Audited no-logs policy
Cons
- Expensive renewal pricing
- No graphic interface for Linux
2. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN has over 3,000 servers in 105 countries. It offers US-based servers in 17 cities, including New York, Miami, Chicago, and Los Angeles, which is very convenient for accessing American TV channels in Spain.
ExpressVPN isn’t far behind NordVPN in terms of speed. More often than not, you’ll barely notice a drop in performance after connecting to its ultra-fast 10 Gbps servers. Like NordVPN, there’s a speed-friendly custom protocol option here that provides the best streaming results.
Plus, our attempts to dodge geo-restrictions on channels and streaming services like ABC, Max, Discovery, and Sling TV were consistently successful.
The provider implements military-grade encryption to scramble your online traffic. It has an automatic kill switch that works perfectly and prevents your data from getting exposed to IP or DNS leaks. ExpressVPN’s TrustedServer technology is a commitment to privacy with its RAM-only servers. It supports the VPN’s verified no-logs policy.
ExpressVPN supports a wide range of platforms and allows up to eight simultaneous device connections per account. Each subscription comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Pros
- Unblocks US television platforms
- User-friendly apps
- Verified no-logs privacy policy
- Widespread US locations
- Speedy connections
Cons
- Expensive pricing
- “Only” eight simultaneous connections
3. Private Internet Access
PIA’s server presence in all 50 American states is pretty impressive.
The provider uses 10 Gbps servers in a bid to ensure you always enjoy the best speeds while streaming. Excellent performance isn’t a given, and we endured a few hiccups, but that vast network (plus ping labeling) means you can always switch to a much faster alternative when you encounter a slowdown.
What’s more, it offers two streaming-optimized server locations for the United States dedicated to accessing US TV channels from Spain or anywhere in the world. We tested them and found they could access Netflix US, Sling TV, and several other platforms.
You can choose between AES 128-bit encryption (pre-selected) and AES 256-bit encryption. PIA’s impressive toolkit includes a kill switch, DNS leak protection, multi-hop, and an ad blocker. The provider adheres to a strict no-logs policy that has been verified, and all its apps are open-source.
You may access US TV in Spain on all your devices if you want, as there’s no cap on simultaneous device connections. A 30-day refund policy gives you enough time to make up your mind.
Pros
- Servers in every US state
- Unblocks American TV channels
- Unlimited simultaneous device connections
- Open-source VPN apps
- Audited no-logs policy
Cons
- Five Eyes member country jurisdiction
- Inconsistent connection speeds
4. Surfshark
Surfshark is a pocket-friendly VPN with high-quality service and features. It comes with a network comprising 3,200+ servers in 100 countries. Impressively, more than 600 of those servers are spread across 25 major American cities, so you can easily obtain a US IP address from Spain or elsewhere.
That expansive server count also reduces your chance of connecting to crowded servers, which would tank your speed. Expect stable connections that are good enough for bufferless streaming, especially when you choose WireGuard.
Surfshark doesn’t market its unblocking capabilities, but we found that they work all the same. We could bypass restrictions on several US-based major and Spanish-language networks and channels without breaking a sweat. It’s also pretty effective for accessing exclusive content on Netflix, Hulu, and more.
The provider doesn’t compromise security, implementing bank-level encryption and industry-standard features like a kill switch and leak protection. It also comes with several advanced and extra tools. Surfshark stores no personally identifiable logs, as third-party experts have confirmed.
Like PIA, it doesn’t limit the number of devices a single subscription covers. Also, you’re not taking risks by subscribing, as it has a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Pros
- Feature-rich service
- Unblocks US TV channels
- Budget-friendly subscription plans
- Audited no-logs policy
Cons
- Netherlands jurisdiction
- Buggy app launch
5. CyberGhost
Rounding out our list of top VPNs for streaming US TV in Spain is CyberGhost.
The VPN’s network size is only second to PIA’s, with 12,000+ servers to choose from across 100 countries. When it comes to US servers, you won’t be short on options — CyberGhost offers more than 2,000 servers located in the United States.
High-bandwidth servers and efficient tunneling protocols ensure your streaming experience is smooth sailing. That means minimal buffering, even when you crank the video quality to HD or higher. What’s more, dedicated servers for Netflix, NBC, ESPN, Paramount+, and more offer instant, secure access to the content you crave, whether it’s news, sports, or the latest entertainment.
CyberGhost doesn’t compromise on security, either. It uses industry-standard AES 256-bit encryption, with a kill switch and DNS leak protection as safety nets. Plus, the provider has a strict no-logs policy that has undergone third-party verification.
One CyberGhost subscription covers up to seven devices at the same time. If you opt for its monthly plan, there’s a 14-day money-back guarantee. For longer-term options, that increases to 45 days.
Pros
- Wallet-friendly long-term plans
- Streaming-optimized VPN servers
- Audited no-logs policy
- Wide network of servers in the United States
Cons
- Costly monthly plan
- 14-day money-back guarantee for monthly plan
Can You Unblock US TV in Spain With a Free VPN?
Some free VPNs have Spanish servers. However, we generally don’t recommend this option for watching American TV from Spain. Here’s why:
Free VPNs typically have a much smaller server network compared to paid providers. This means fewer US servers to choose from, potentially leading to slow speeds and unreliable connections.
Besides, many of them have data caps and bandwidth limits to restrict how much data you can use and may struggle to bypass the geo-restrictions on TV channels. As you can imagine, these limitations aren’t ideal for smooth streaming.
Then, there are the privacy and security concerns from extensive data logging policies and subpar encryption and features.
Conclusion
Following the steps outlined in this article will help you bypass geo-restrictions and enjoy the full spectrum of US TV in Spain.
That said, with so many VPN providers available, choosing the right one can be overwhelming — so we curated a shortlist for you. Our favorite option is NordVPN. It’s really fast, easily unblocks TV and streaming platforms, and is loaded with top-notch security and privacy features.
FAQ
Can I watch US TV channels legally from Spain?
Yes, it’s legal to watch US TV channels from Spain as long as you use legitimate streaming services or VPNs that comply with their terms of use. Always avoid unauthorized piracy sites.
Can I watch US live TV channels for free in Spain?
Some US channels offer free streaming apps or websites, but access may still be geo-restricted. Using a VPN can help unlock these free streams legally.
What if a US streaming service detects my VPN and blocks access?
Some services try to block VPN IP addresses, but premium VPNs frequently update their servers to bypass these blocks. If one server doesn’t work, try switching servers or contacting your VPN’s support.
Is there any other method besides using a VPN?
Alternatives include subscribing to international streaming services that offer US content or using smart DNS services, but VPNs remain the most versatile and reliable option.