Best VPN for websites blocked due to the GDPR

It was a long time coming, but the EU General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) eventually went into effect on May 25th, 2018. Since then, many companies either haven’t updated or won’t update their privacy rules to comply. To avoid hefty fines for non-compliance, some sites providing news, games, and other services have simply blocked EU visitors. These include A&E Network sites (including the History Channel), the LA Times, the Chicago Tribune, Instapaper, and the Baltimore Sun. Thankfully, it’s easy enough to bypass these restrictions by using a VPN.

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) will encrypt all of your traffic and tunnel it through an intermediary server in a location of your choice. It will mask your real IP address and make it appear that you’re in your chosen location. For example, connecting through a US server will make it appear that you’re in the US. So, if you connect via a VPN, you can continue accessing sites blocked due to the GDPR from anywhere in the world. Plus, as well as enabling access to geo-restricted content, a VPN will hide all of your activity from your ISP, network administrator, or anyone else who may be monitoring.

In this article, we’ll cover the top VPNs for circumventing the GDPR restrictions in detail, but if you haven’t got the time to read the whole article, here is a summary of our top picks.

Best VPNs for accessing sites blocked due to the GDPR:

1. NordVPN Our top choice for accessing sites blocked due to GDPR. Server locations in over 60 countries. Reliably accesses restricted content. Top privacy and security. 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. Surfshark Budget choice provider that reliably accessed GDPR-restricted sites. Boasts solid speeds, great security, and no connection limits. Works great with popular streaming services.
3. ExpressVPN Great at unblocking GDPR and geo-restricted content. Vast array of super-fast servers in 94 countries. Security and privacy features lead the way.
4. CyberGhost Great value choice and ideal for beginners with easy-to-install apps for most platforms. Reliable for accessing GDPR and geo-blocked content.
5. IPVanish Fast network of servers popular with Kodi users and torrenters. Doesn’t flinch when accessing GDPR-restricted content.
6. PrivateVPN No issues getting around the GDPR with dozens of servers located outside the EU.
7. Private Internet Access: Robust security features. Easy-to-use apps and servers in 80+ countries globally.

Best VPNs for accessing GDPR-blocked websites – at a glance

We’ve compared the most important features for the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for accessing GDPR-blocked websites. 

The Best VPNs for GDPR-Blocked websites

Of course, not all VPN service providers offer a comparable service. They differ in terms of ease of use, security, connection speed, customer service, and other factors. We’ve put together a list of the best VPNs for websites blocked due to the GDPR based on the following criteria:

• Has plenty of servers located outside of Europe
• Enables access to geo-restricted content
• Offers fast and reliable connections
• Uses strong encryption and provides additional security features
• Keeps no logs of personally identifiable information
• Offers prompt and knowledgeable customer support

If you want to know more about how we test and rank the VPNs we recommend, you can check out our VPN testing methodology article.

Here is our list of the best VPNs for websites blocked due to the GDPR:

1. NordVPN

Jun 2023

NordVPN is our top choice VPN for accessing blocked content. It’s a stellar pick for almost all use cases, but especially for accessing websites blocked due to the GDPR. Its huge network of more than 5,400 servers means you’re spoilt for choice both inside and outside of the EU. Many of these are optimized for streaming, while others are suitable for double VPN and Tor over VPN. As for streaming, NordVPN is great for accessing restricted sites like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer.

This VPN provider has your back when it comes to digital security. With 256-bit AES encryption, perfect forward secrecy, DNS leak protection, and a kill switch, you can be sure no data will leave the encrypted tunnel. A new automatic wifi protection feature is a bonus if you tend to connect while on the go. This service maintains no traffic or connection logs whatsoever.

NordVPN allows for up to six simultaneous connections with apps available for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. It can be manually configured with some routers.

Best VPN for GDPR Block:NordVPN is our top pick. Reliably accesses GDPR-blocked sites. Connects up to 6 devices simultaneously. Great security and online privacy features. Includes a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

See our in-depth NordVPN review.

2. Surfshark

Surfshark is an excellent budget-friendly choice for bypassing GDPR blocks as it operates over a thousand servers outside of Europe. In fact, with around 3,200 servers in 100+ countries, it’s a solid option for accessing services like Netflix and Hulu too. Speeds are generally very fast, and there are no connection or bandwidth limits to speak of.

This service keeps you safe using 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and protection against IPv6, WebRTC, and DNS leaks. It also offers a built-in ad-blocker and malware scanner, plus a strict no-logs policy. 24/7 support is available via email or live chat, just in case you have any issues.

Surfshark offers iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, and Linux apps.

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark is fast, secure, and affordable. Protect every device you own at once and access just about anything from just about anywhere. Best of all, this VPN comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee,

Read the full Surfshark review.

3. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN operates a large network of servers spanning 94 countries, including plenty of non-EU locations. This provider offers excellent customer support, and a live chat agent is always just a click away. Aside from accessing sites blocked due to the GDPR, you’ll also be able to stream content from geo-restricted streaming sites like Netflix, Hulu, HBO, and Amazon Prime Video.

Security and privacy are top priorities for ExpressVPN. It uses 256-bit encryption and perfect forward secrecy and comes with DNS leak protection and a kill switch built in. This VPN service never monitors your online activity and only stores minimal connection logs (which don’t include your IP address).

Apps are available for Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, and Android. A router app can be installed on compatible wifi router models. A basic plan allows for five simultaneous connections.

SPEEDY AND SECURE:ExpressVPN is fast and easy to use. Reliably unblocks GDPR content. Also outperforms rivals with most streaming services with exceptional speeds for buffer-free HD viewing. Total security and privacy. Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Check out our full review of ExpressVPN.

4. CyberGhost

CyberGhost has been focussing on expanding its server network and now operates a vast collection of over 9,000 global servers. Plus, CyberGhost has a large focus on providing access to streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, so you can enjoy these, too.

This service will ensure your data remains secure and away from any prying eyes. It uses 256-bit encryption along with perfect forward secrecy and comes with DNS leak protection and a kill switch. You can get automatic wifi protection when connecting to familiar networks, and no personally identifiable information will ever be recorded.

A CyberGhost plan will enable up to five simultaneous connections. Mobile apps are available for iOS and Android, along with desktop clients for macOS and Windows. The VPN can be configured with Linux and some routers.

BEGINNER-FRIENDLY:CyberGhost is easy to use. A well-priced solid performer. Good at unblocking GDPR content. Can’t match rivals with some popular streaming platforms. 45-day money-back guarantee.

See the full CyberGhost review.

5. IPVanish

IPVanish offers some very fast speeds and is popular among torrenters and Kodi users. It has plenty of non-EU servers to choose from, including many in North America and Asia, so you should have no issues accessing sites blocked due to the GDPR. It can also enable you to access some popular streaming sites.

IPVanish takes users’ privacy very seriously and stores no logs. Security comes in the form of “military-grade” 256-bit encryption and perfect forward secrecy. You also get DNS leak protection and a built-in kill switch. The latter will kill the internet connection if the VPN connection happens to drop.

Desktop clients can be downloaded for Windows and macOS, and mobile apps are available for iOS and Android. IPVanish can be manually configured on Linux and some routers. Any number of simultaneous connections are permitted.

UNLIMITED CONNECTIONS:IPVanish is great for families that need multiple devices connected. Good at unblocking most geo-restricted content. Recommend for their high standard of privacy. Could do with a live support option. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our review of IPVanish.

6. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN might be a smaller player in the VPN world, but it is not to be overlooked. It operates dozens of servers outside the EU and will enable you to access your GDPR-restricted content without issue. What’s more, PrivateVPN seems to fly under the radar of many sites that are cracking down on VPN usage. This means it’s able to bypass the Netflix proxy error, along with those of other sites like Hulu, HBO, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video.

This service keeps its promises on the privacy and security front. It stores no logs of browser or session history, so you don’t have to worry about any data ever being handed over to a third party. Encryption is 256-bit on most protocols, but 128-bit is used on some. Either way, both are considered extremely secure. DNS leak protection and a kill switch are built-in.

Apps are available for macOS, Windows, Android, and iOS, and PrivateVPN can be manually configured with Linux and some routers.

GREAT SPEEDS:PrivateVPN is easy to use. Allows up to 10 devices on the same account. Fast connections could do with having more servers to choose from. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Check out our in-depth PrivateVPN review.

7. Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access is one of the most flexible VPNs around, with over 10,000 servers in more than 80 countries capable of accessing sites locked down by GDPR restrictions. It’s got plenty of options to choose from, and its software is user-friendly and powerful, with handy tutorials to help you out if you get stuck.

Private Internet Access is also packed with powerful privacy and security features that are perfect for keeping your data safe, including a kill switch, no-logs policy, DNS leak protection, and strong encryption. And if you’re looking to access more content from around the world, it can help you do that too. It doesn’t keep logs, and although it’s based in a Five Eyes country, its logging policy has been independently verified.

PIA uses WireGuard for ultrafast streaming and gaming sessions, and apps are available on desktops, mobile, and routers. Plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee as standard.

NO LOGS PROVIDER:Private Internet Access is a reliable VPN with a huge server network and robust privacy that can easily bypass GDPR restrictions. Allows up to 10 devices on the same account. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of Private Internet Access.

---

Can I use a free VPN for GDPR-blocked websites?

Although there are some free VPNs available on the market, we do not generally recommend using them. Studies have revealed that free VPNs often have badly implemented security, concerning app vulnerabilities, serious data leaks, and invasive privacy policies that allow them to harvest user data. They have even been found to lie about the encryption they provide and to include spyware in their apps.

Free VPNs collect user data for profiling and marketing purposes. They create a revenue stream by selling that data to third parties, including data brokers. This makes using free VPNs a considerable threat to your online health, which is problematic because a VPN is supposed to be a privacy tool that you can trust to improve your digital footprint and help secure your data.

In addition to the privacy and security risks involved, it is common for websites to block IP addresses associated with free VPNs. This often leaves those free services unable to unblock websites that have been restricted because of GDPR. As a result, even if you decide to take a risk and use a free VPN, there is no guarantee the service will get around the restrictions.

What the GDPR means for users

The EU’s General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) are measures put in place to achieve the following goals:

• Harmonize data privacy laws across Europe
• Protect the data privacy of EU citizens
• Change the approach organizations take to data privacy

Some of the implications of the regulations include:

• Data breaches must be reported within a specified time period (72 hours).
• Consumers must give informed consent for data collection and storage and can withdraw at any time.
• They can request any data a company has collected about them in a machine-readable format.
• Larger companies (with more than 250 employees) need to have a mandatory data protection officer.

The maximum penalty for breaking the regulations is 20 million Euros or four per cent of the company’s turnover, whichever is larger.

One of the major things that many companies need to address is the issue of informed consent. The methods that companies have traditionally used to get consumers to agree to data collection are highly in favor of the company and don’t do much to protect consumer privacy rights.

For example, companies often post lengthy, jargon-filled privacy policies that hardly anyone will take the time to read. Embedded in these policies is information about how user data is collected, used, and stored. To agree to these terms, a customer usually has to simply check a box, which they’ll often do without reading the accompanying policies.

Part of the GDPR aims to force companies to be more transparent with consumers about what they are actually agreeing to.

Why sites are blocking EU visitors

The regulations don’t just apply to companies headquartered in the EU. They apply to all companies that deal with EU citizens. In fact, Facebook and Google have already been hit with multi-billion dollar lawsuits related to the GDPR.

Whether you’re in the EU or not, your inbox is likely flooded at the moment with privacy policy updates and subscription confirmations from various companies trying to ensure compliance.

The new regulations were announced about two years ago, so many companies have used that time to roll out a compliance strategy. Some companies were very proactive and updated policies and notified users well before the deadline. Some have even created an additional option for those who want to opt out by offering plain text alternatives. National Public Radio (NPR) is one such example.

Here’s their notice:

And here’s the plain text version of the site you view if you decline:

Other companies haven’t made the cut-off. The reasons aren’t exactly clear and may be different for each business. Some simply don’t have the resources to put towards these changes. Some plan to become compliant but need more time.

For example, sites under the Tribune Media Group umbrella, including the LA Times, New York Daily News, Orlando Sentinel, Baltimore Sun, and Chicago Tribune, offer a brief explanation:

“Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in most European countries. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to the EU market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.”

Whereas trying to access A&E or the History Channel simply returns a generic note:

“This content is not available in your area.”

Some sites that lack the necessary resources to meet the regulations have been forced to shut down completely. These include popular gaming sites, Super Monday Night Combat and Tunngle.

How to unblock GDPR-restricted sites

Websites that are blocking EU users due to the new GDPR are doing so to avoid non-compliance. Basically, they haven’t yet updated their policies and systems (or have decided not to) and don’t want to risk being fined.

Using a non-EU VPN server to mask your IP address will make it appear that you’re outside the EU and therefore do not pose a risk to the company. Here are the simple steps to access a website blocked due to GDPR:

1. Sign up for one of the VPNs listed above. We recommend NordVPN.
2. Download, install, and run the VPN app on your device.
3. Connect to a non-EU server, i.e. a server in the US, to gain a US IP address.
4. Access your desired site.
5. If you experience problems, try clearing your browser’s cookies before trying again.

Bear in mind that because you’re intentionally masking your physical location from the site, the regulations don’t apply, and you shouldn’t expect that you’ll benefit from the privacy rights they impart.

Sites blocking EU users due to the GDPR

Here is a list of sites we know are currently blocking EU visitors due to the new GDPR:

• A&E
• Arizona Daily Star
• Baltimore Sun
• Chicago Tribune
• History.com
• Instapaper
• LA Times
• New York Daily News
• Orlando Sentinel
• Tunngle
• Unroll.me

This list is not exhaustive and could grow or shrink as time goes on.

Best VPNs for GDPR FAQ