How to get an Austrian IP address from any country in 5 easy steps

If you’re traveling abroad, you might find you lose access to your usual Austrian sites and services. These kinds of geographic restrictions are common on streaming platforms, news sites, and online banking apps and can be frustrating to deal with when you’re working abroad or on vacation. Luckily it’s easy enough to bypass these kinds of restrictions; you just need to connect to an Austrian IP address, and the best way to do that is by using a VPN.

Usually, if you’re unable to access one of your home services, it’s because the site has checked your IP address and determined you’re not in a supported country. However, when you connect to a VPN, you’re assigned a new, region-specific IP address and can use previously inaccessible services as though you were actually in your chosen country, regardless of your real location. VPNs also enhance your privacy by encrypting your traffic, rendering it unreadable to any third-party observer or potential hacker.

In this article, we explain exactly how to get an Austrian IP using a VPN and the best providers for the job. You will find more details on each of the VPNs below, but if you haven’t got time to read through to the end, we’ll start with a summary.

Best VPNs for getting an IP address in Austria:

1. NordVPN Our top Choice VPN for an Austrian VPN! Reliable provider with strong privacy and security standards. Large server network, excellent unblocking ability, and a 30-day money-back guarantee for a risk-free trial. TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for Austria.
2. Surfshark Our favorite budget VPN. Great value VPN that allows unlimited simultaneous connections and has servers in 100+ countries, including Austria.
3. ExpressVPN Operates a large network of servers that are fast and reliable for streaming and downloading. Apps are secure, and privacy is paramount.
4. CyberGhost Beginner-friendly provider with easy-to-use apps. Vast global server network of over 9,000 with a massive 400+ in Austria, ideal for gaining an Austrian IP.
5. IPVanish No issues accessing restricted and geo-blocked sites. Fast and secure. Allows unlimited simultaneous connections.
6. PrivateVPN Gaining a following for the increasing amount of streaming sites it can unblock. Super fast speeds. Strong security.

How to get an Austrian IP address using a VPN:

Even if you’ve never used a VPN before, getting an Austrian IP address is very simple. Follow the steps below, and you’ll be accessing geo-blocked content in no time.

Here’s how to get an Austrian IP address from anywhere with a VPN:

1. Begin by choosing one of the VPNs listed below (we recommend NordVPN).
2. Download and install the appropriate version of the app for your device.
3. Connect to any of your VPN’s servers in Austria.
4. Try using a geo-blocked service. It should load almost instantly.
5. If you face any problems, try clearing your cookies and cache and then reloading the page. This should fix any issues.

Want to watch a specific event live? If so, it’s important to test your VPN with the steps above before it actually begins. This way, if anything doesn’t work as expected, you’ll still have enough time to get help from your VPN’s customer support team and not miss the start of your show.

The best VPNs to get an IP address from Austria

Choosing the best VPNs for a given task is rarely simple, in part because of how many services there are. That’s why, when deciding which VPNs are best at getting an Austrian IP address, we only considered services that met all of the following criteria:

• Offers high speeds and reliable connections
• Has at least one Austrian server, preferably more
• Uses effectively uncrackable encryption and includes a variety of other security features
• Don’t log any information that could identify you
• Has apps for the major operating systems

This is just an overview, but if you want to know more about how we test and rank the VPNs we recommend, you can check out our detailed VPN testing methodology article. For now, let’s take a look at the ones that made the cut. 

Here’s our list of the best VPNs for gaining an Austrian IP address:

1. NordVPN

Apr 2024

NordVPN is our top choice VPN for an Austrian IP address. It boasts a large network of more than 5,500 servers across 60+ countries (including over 30 in Austria). This service offers high speeds and can easily access stubborn geo-blocked services like Netflix US, so Austrian channels such as ORF1, ATV, and Go TV don’t pose much of a challenge. NordVPN allows up to six simultaneous connections, meaning you can use it to stream safely whether you’re at home or on the go.

This VPN takes your online security seriously. It protects your traffic using 256-bit AES encryption, a customizable kill switch (in all versions but Android), and protection against DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks. Multi-hop, Tor over VPN, ad-blocking, and malware-scanning features are also included. NordVPN has a no-logs policy, but accepts Bitcoin in case you’d like a second layer of anonymity. You can reach support at any time, day or night, via live chat.

NordVPN apps are available for Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. It also works with select network routers but must be installed manually.

BEST VPN FOR AN AUSTRIAN IP:NordVPN is our #1 choice. It offers multiple Austrian servers customizable security, a customer-first privacy policy, and fast, reliable connections. It even comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee for a risk-free trial.

Here’s our full review of NordVPN.

2. Surfshark

Surfshark is a great value provider that provides a high level of service. It has over 100 server locations to choose from, plus first-class performance. Unlike many of its rivals, it allows users to connect all of their devices simultaneously. Additionally, it works well with a wide range of platforms, from ORF to Sling TV. Need help? Just drop staff a message using the 24/7 live chat service.

This VPN keeps your activities private with a proven no-logs policy and a wide range of security tools. These include AES-256 encryption, a kill switch, leak protection, and NoBorders mode capable of beating the world’s toughest online restrictions. Not only that, but it blocks ads and trackers automatically!

Apps are available for all popular platforms, including Linux, Mac, Windows, Android, Android TV, and iOS. Plus, this VPN can be used on a range of Wi-Fi routers.

BEST BUDGET VPN FOR AN AUSTRIAN IP:Surfshark is great value. It offers unlimited simultaneous connections and servers in 100+ countries, including Austria. Strong security and encryption, 24/7 customer service, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Want to know more? Check out our detailed Surfshark review.

3. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN provides access to more than 3,000 servers in 94 countries worldwide, including Austria. It offers fast and reliable connections and enables you to stream live high-definition video without any problems whatsoever. Additionally, ExpressVPN excels at bypassing regional restrictions, meaning you’re free to use platforms like ORF1 and ATV wherever you are in the world.

This service includes 256-bit encryption and a kill switch (in desktop apps) and protects against both DNS and IPv6 leaks. Privacy-conscious users can choose to pay with Bitcoin for added peace of mind, but ExpressVPN doesn’t log any personally identifiable information, so your activities are kept private either way. Looking for help? Customer support is available 24/7 over live chat.

ExpressVPN offers Windows, Android, MacOS, iOS, and Linux apps. It has custom firmware to make router installation as quick and straightforward as possible.

STRONG AND RELIABLE:ExpressVPN is a solid choice for getting an Austrian IP address. It’s reliable, with high speeds, strong encryption, and a major focus on your privacy. What’s more, a 30-day money-back guarantee means you can try it risk-free.

Read our review of ExpressVPN.

4. CyberGhost

CyberGhost has a massive 400+ servers in Austria, more than any of its rivals, plus there are more than 9,000 additional servers in 90 other countries. This service is very fast and able to stream live HD video without any noticeable buffering; it even shows each server’s current load so you can choose the fastest one. Additionally, CyberGhost can unblock numerous popular platforms, including ATV and Puls 4 from abroad.

This is a very user-friendly service, and better still, all of its security features are enabled by default. These include 256-bit encryption, IPv6 and DNS leak protection, a kill switch, automatic malware scanning, and an ad-blocker. Plus, CyberGhost doesn’t log any information that could identify you. Should you run into any problems, you can reach support 24/7 over live chat.

CyberGhost has apps for MacOS, iOS, Windows, and Android. Manual configuration is required for Linux systems and select wireless routers.

NOVICE-FRIENDLY VPN:CyberGhost isn’t just a fast, VPN with lots of Austrian servers, it’s also privacy-conscious and includes several powerful security features. A 45-day money-back guarantee is included, so there’s no risk.

Here’s our in-depth CyberGhost review.

5. IPVanish

IPVanish currently has several Austrian servers and more than 2,000 others in an additional 60+ countries. This service has several features that make it ideal for browsing on the go, including lightweight apps for numerous platforms, unlimited connections, high speeds, and the ability to unblock services like ORF1 abroad.

This VPN keeps your activities private with 256-bit encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch (in desktop apps). However, it also includes more advanced security options like automatic IP address switching, OpenVPN obfuscation, and local traffic blocking. IPVanish doesn’t log any personally identifiable information, so there’s no question of your activities leading back to you. If you need help, customer support is on hand 24/7 over live chat.

IPVanish offers Windows, Android, MacOS, iOS, and Amazon Fire TV/ Fire Stick apps. It works on Linux-based platforms and select internet routers but must be installed manually.

BROWSE SAFELY ANYWHERE:IPVanish makes it easy to get an Austrian IP address. It boasts fast speeds, advanced security options, a no-logs policy, and the ability to protect all of your devices simultaneously. IPVanish includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of IPVanish.

6. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN has a fairly small network (200 servers across 60 countries, including two in Austria), but it offsets this by offering higher speeds than most of its competitors and exceptional unblocking ability. This service is able to access Austrian streaming platforms, including ORF1, ATV, and Puls 4, from anywhere in the world, as well as popular international platforms such as Netflix and BBC iPlayer. And because of its speed, you can watch with no noticeable buffering. PrivateVPN allows up to ten connections at once, so it’s ideal for those with several devices to protect.

This service includes 256-bit encryption, a kill switch (on Windows), and protection against IPv6, WebRTC, and DNS leaks to keep your traffic safe from prying eyes. Further, while PrivateVPN has a strict no-logging policy, it allows users to sign up anonymously with Bitcoin and a throwaway email address. Live chat is available 22 hours a day (3 PM-1 PM PST), and the staff can even install or configure the software for you remotely if you’d like.

PrivateVPN apps are available for Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS. Linux systems and select routers are also supported with manual installation required.

STREAM AUSTRIAN TV ABROAD:PrivateVPN lets you flawlessly stream Austrian TV abroad, keeps no logs, is very fast, and prioritizes your security. It also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Here’s our full review of PrivateVPN.

Using a free VPN to get an Austrian IP address

At first glance, free VPNs can seem pretty appealing, but in reality, they come with several major disadvantages. First and foremost is their speed: these services attract huge numbers of users, and their (often quite small) networks struggle to keep up. As such, you’ll likely experience slow browsing speeds, and videos will pause frequently to buffer (if they load at all). Additionally, free VPNs are often blacklisted by geo-blocked platforms, so there’s a chance it won’t work, even if you manage to get a halfway decent connection.

Servers are expensive to maintain, and an international network of them is even more so. So how can free VPNs afford to operate? You’ll find that they almost always insert large, intrusive ads into the sites you visit, but the real problem is that some services go even further. By storing tracking cookies on your device, they can collect valuable information about your browsing habits. The resulting consumer profile is then sold to advertisers without your knowledge.

Finally, there’s the security aspect to consider. There’s no easy way to tell if your free VPN is safe or not, and recent research has found that at least one major app store is home to dozens of Trojans posing as free VPNs. Worse still, this study showed that 18% of tested apps never used any encryption at all, meaning they were essentially useless. Your safety isn’t guaranteed with larger providers either, as we found when Hola was caught selling user bandwidth to help run a botnet.

Choosing a reputable, trustworthy VPN that puts its customer’s privacy first is the best way to stay safe online.

Internet restrictions in Austria

Austria has a very free and open internet with just a handful of restrictions. Firstly, websites hosting illegal pornography are blocked, which is standard practice across most of the world. Austria also blocks access to websites hosting hate speech or pro-Nazi or neo-Nazi content.

As in several other countries, ISPs block access to popular file-sharing sites including The Pirate Bay and 1337x. However, as VPNs and other privacy-focused tools like Tor make bypassing governmental and ISP-imposed blocking incredibly simple, this kind of restriction is generally considered ineffective at best and ethically troubling at worst.

Using a VPN to gain an Austrian IP address: FAQs