How to watch Dutch TV online abroad

If you’re traveling outside the Netherlands, you’ll find that most Dutch streaming platforms are inaccessible. This is because they’re geo-blocked for copyright and licensing reasons. In this guide, we’ll show you a simple trick to bypass those restrictions and watch Dutch TV abroad with the help of a Virtual Private Network (VPN).

A VPN is an online service designed to give you privacy by concealing your IP address from the websites you visit. This privacy feature also allows you to pretend to be in a different country. When you connect to a VPN server in Holland, you get a Dutch IP address, which lets you stream Dutch TV from anywhere in the world.

That said, there is one caveat. Not all VPNs can unblock popular Dutch TV and streaming platforms like NPO, RTL, Ketnet, Canvas, Eén, Nos, NLZiet, AT5, Videoland, and Ziggo GO. This means you must pick a VPN carefully to avoid wasting your money.

In this guide, we explain how to use a VPN to unblock Dutch internet services and TV streams. We also recommend the best VPNs for Dutch TV. Later, we’ll provide detailed mini-reviews to help you pick between each service. For anybody short on time, we have included a quick list below.

Best VPNs for Dutch TV:

1. NordVPN: The best VPN for Dutch TV. 200+ servers in the Netherlands. Unblocks Dutch services such as Eén. No-logs provider with 24/7 support a risk-free 30-day  money-back guarantee.
2. Surfshark: The best budget VPN.Unlimited simultaneous connections. Watch Dutch TV such as NPO and RTL abroad. Very strong security with a strict no-logs policy. 24/7 live chat support.
3. ExpressVPN: Unblocks NPO and RTL channels. Very fast and reliable. Highly secure with encryption. 24/7 support and user-friendly apps.
4. CyberGhost: Over 6,000 servers worldwide and 200 in Amsterdam. Unlimited bandwidth for watching NPO1. Strong security with a no-logs policy and encryption.
5. IPVanish: Use on all of your devices at once. Works with Canvas and Ketnet. Consistent speeds for lag-free streaming. Uses encryption to keep your data secure.
6. PrivateVPN: Very fast speeds for watching RTL 4 outside the Netherlands. Easy-to-use apps for desktop and mobile. A no-logs policy protects your privacy.
7. Hotspot Shield: Servers in 80 countries including the Netherlands for watching Canvas and RTL 5. Secures your data with encryption. 24/7 support available.

How to watch Dutch TV abroad with a VPN

Not sure how to go about using a VPN to watch Dutch TV overseas? Don’t worry! We’ll take you through the quick and easy process step-by-step.

Here’s how to watch Dutch TV online from abroad:

1. Start by signing up with a reputable VPN service that offers servers in the Netherlands. We particularly recommend NordVPN.
2. Download the appropriate VPN app and complete the installation process.
3. Open the VPN app and connect to a server in the Netherlands. This is how you will obtain a Dutch IP address for unblocking Dutch TV abroad.
4. Go to a Dutch TV platform or streaming service and select your preferred content. You should now be able to watch without any problems.
5. If you still can’t watch Dutch TV outside the Netherlands, clear your browser’s cache and cookies before refreshing the page.

Choosing the best VPNs for watching Dutch TV abroad

There are many VPNs with servers in the Netherlands. This can make picking tricky because not all VPNs work to access popular Dutch streaming services.

To help you out, we have devised a scientific VPN testing methodology. We test VPNs for DNS, IP and WebRTC leaks to ensure the apps are reliable. We also look under the hood to see that the encryption is implemented securely, and check the privacy policy to ascertain that the provider is dedicated to online privacy.

Next, we test VPN speeds to ensure the VPN can handle gaming, torrenting, HD TV streaming, and other data-intensive tasks. And, we try to stream Netflix, Hulu, RTL, NPO – and other platforms – to ensure the VPN is suitable for Dutch citizens on vacation.

We narrowed down the options by looking for VPNs that offer the following features:

• High-speed servers in the Netherlands
• Strong unblocking ability for watching Dutch TV abroad
• Protects your privacy with a no-logs policy
• Secures your data with high-end encryption
• Easy-to-use apps for desktop and mobile platforms
• Support via live chat and email (preferably 24/7)

Best VPNs for Dutch TV

Here’s our list of the best VPNs for watching Dutch TV online from abroad:

1. NordVPN

May 2022

NordVPN is extremely fast and has over 200 servers in the Netherlands, making it a brilliant choice if you want to watch Dutch TV in the US or anywhere else abroad. In fact, with over 5,100 servers worldwide, you can use this VPN to watch the likes of NPO2, Eén, and Netflix. If you’d like to secure multiple devices, it’s worth knowing that NordVPN allows up to six simultaneous connections.

Another advantage of NordVPN is its comprehensive security. It follows a strict no-logs policy and offers 256-bit AES encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch. You can also connect to different types of servers for extra security. Double VPN servers encrypt your internet traffic twice while Tor over VPN servers route you through the Onion network and the VPN. If you have any questions, NordVPN offers 24/7 live chat support.

Connect to a NordVPN server in the Netherlands via its apps for Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and Android TV. Browser extensions are offered for Chrome and Firefox. This VPN can also be used with select routers but this requires manual configuration.

BEST VPN FOR DUTCH TV:NordVPN has over 200 servers in the Netherlands. Unlimited bandwidth for streaming. Fast servers. Works with Canvas, Ketnet, RTL 4, and Netflix. No-logs service with Double VPN and obfuscation. Also offers 24/7 support. A 30-day money-back guarantee means you can try it risk-free.

Read our full NordVPN review.

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2. Surfshark

Surfshark has recently expanded its network of servers, taking the total to approximately 3,200 across 65 countries. This includes servers in the Netherlands for unblocking and watching Dutch TV abroad. Further, this VPN is one of the fastest in the world thanks to its WireGuard implementation.

All servers are P2P-friendly, but you can connect to a MultiHop (Double VPN) server should you want an extra layer of encryption. Plus, Surfshark is ideal for families as it lets you connect an unlimited number of devices simultaneously.

This VPN is beginner-friendly with easy-to-use apps and 24/7 live chat and email support. Additionally, it comes with a wealth of security features including 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and protection from DNS leaks. Surfshark is headquartered in the British Virgin Islands where it isn’t subject to mandatory data retention laws. It operates a strict no-logs policy and even blocks ads, trackers, and malware with its CleanWeb feature.

Signing up for Surfshark allows you access to its apps for Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and Amazon Fire TV. Browser extensions are available for both Chrome and Firefox. Compatible routers require manual configuration.

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark has a very attractive price point and unblocks NPO1 and NPO2 with ease. Reliable connections for lag-free streaming. Excellent, user-friendly apps and 24/7 live chat support. No-logs service with Double VPN servers and an ad blocker. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Surfshark review.

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3. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN has a network of over 3,000 servers which are located across 94 countries – far more than most VPNs. This includes the Netherlands, where you’ll find servers in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and The Hague. Fast speeds and unlimited bandwidth make for stress-free streaming of Dutch TV. Indeed, ExpressVPN works with Dutch channels including NPO1 and RTL 4 as well as international streaming services such as Netflix.

When you use ExpressVPN, you can secure up to five devices at once. You’ll also have access to user-friendly apps and browser extensions as well as 24/7 support over live chat and email. ExpressVPN takes your security seriously and doesn’t keep any logs by which you can be identified or tracked. There’s 256-bit AES encryption to keep your data secure plus a kill switch and protection against DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks.

Watch Dutch TV abroad by connecting to ExpressVPN’s apps for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux. You can also download custom firmware for routers and browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox.

STEADY SPEEDS:ExpressVPN is fast and reliable, plus it unblocks the likes of NPO1 and RTL 4. Use it on up to five devices at once. Includes 24/7 live chat support. Secure with high-end encryption and kill switch. Has a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full ExpressVPN review.

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4. CyberGhost

CyberGhost is constantly adding new servers, making it one of the fastest-growing VPNs on the market. It has approximately 7,000 servers in 91 countries, some 300+ of which are in Amsterdam. High-speed servers and unlimited bandwidth allow you to stream Dutch TV such as Canvas and RTL 5 lag-free from anywhere. What’s more, this VPN lets you secure up to seven devices simultaneously.

With the CyberGhost apps, you can connect to a server with just one click. There’s also live chat and email support which is available 24/7. One of the main reasons to choose CyberGhost is for the excellent privacy protection it provides. You will get 256-bit AES encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and an automatic kill switch. Furthermore, CyberGhost has a strict no-logs policy which means it never knows what you’re doing online.

Get a Dutch IP address by connecting to one of the following CyberGhost apps: Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV. You can also use browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox. Manual setup is required for use with compatible routers.

SPEED AND SECURITY:CyberGhost offers high-speed servers and unlimited bandwidth for watching Dutch TV such as NPO1 abroad. Highly secure thanks to high-end encryption and strict no-logs policy. Use on up to seven devices. 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full CyberGhost review.

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5. IPVanish

IPVanish lets you connect as many devices as you like via a single account. This makes it a good choice for sharing with family. It has around 1,900 servers across dozens of countries and offers around 70 servers in Amsterdam. This VPN stands out for its exceptionally high speeds, which make it ideal for streaming Dutch TV abroad. In fact, you’ll be able to watch NPO3 and Ketnet live without having to worry about being interrupted by buffering or lag.

When you connect to an IPVanish server, your data is secured with 256-bit AES encryption. You’re also protected from DNS leaks while a kill switch ensures your internet traffic is cut should the VPN connection unexpectedly drop. As such, you’re protected from hackers and snoopers and can even use public Wi-Fi hotspots without concern. Last but not least, the IPVanish zero-logs policy allows you to stay anonymous while browsing the web.

IPVanish apps are available for desktop (Windows and MacOS), mobile (Android and iOS), and Amazon Fire TV. Manual setup is required for use with Linux and routers.

CONSISTENT STREAMING:IPVanish is fast and has unlimited bandwidth for consistent, lag-free streaming of Dutch TV. Unblocks Canvas and Ketnet. No connection limits. Includes 24/7 support and a no-logs policy. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full IPVanish review.

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6. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN stands out for its fast connections which are perfect for streaming Dutch TV. Although this VPN service has a smaller network of servers than some of its rivals, these are located in 63 countries, including the Netherlands. Further, it boasts excellent unblocking abilities, meaning you can watch all NPO and RTL channels abroad as well as international streaming services such as Disney+. This VPN has also recently increased its connection limit from six devices to 10.

Aside from offering fast speed, PrivateVPN has strong security in the form of 256-bit AES encryption which protects your data from hackers and snoopers. Further security features include DNS leak protection and a kill switch feature. With a no-logs policy, PrivateVPN can’t share any of your personal details with anyone because it simply doesn’t know what you’re doing online. Live chat support is available, as is remote help and installation.

User-friendly PrivateVPN apps are available for the following operating systems: Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS. You can also use this VPN with Linux and select routers by following manual setup instructions.

BEGINNER-FRIENDLY:PrivateVPN is fast and unblocks many popular Dutch TV channels including Eén and RTL 5. User-friendly apps and live chat support. Secure up to 10 devices at once. Security includes a no-logs policy and encryption. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

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7. Hotspot Shield

Hotspot Shield lets you unblock geo-restricted content around the world. Its servers are available in 80+ countries, including the Netherlands. This VPN works well with Dutch TV channels such as Canvas and Ketnet. In fact, it even offers servers in 27 US cities, making it easy to securely access Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, and Hulu. Hotspot Shield doesn’t throttle your bandwidth, which means you can stream and torrent as much as you want.

With a Hotspot Shield account, you have access to 24/7 support via live chat and email. In fact, you can even secure up to five devices simultaneously. When you connect to a server via the user-friendly apps, your data is secured with 256-bit AES encryption. There’s also DNS leak protection and a kill switch.

If your online privacy is important to you, it’s worth knowing that Hotspot Shield doesn’t keep any usage logs. However please bear in mind that it does keep some connection logs and it is based in the USA, which may put some people off.

In order to connect to a Hotspot Shield server, you’ll need to download one of the apps which are available for Windows, Linux, Mac, Android, and iOS. A Chrome browser extension is also available. Routers can be configured manually.

SERVERS IN 80 COUNTRIES:Hotspot Shield has servers in 80+ countries including the Netherlands. Good speeds for streaming Dutch TV overseas. Works with Eén and Ketnet. Includes 24/7 live chat support and uses encryption. 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Hotspot Shield review.

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Can I watch Dutch TV abroad with a free VPN?

The online platforms of free Dutch TV channels aren’t particularly difficult to unblock outside the Netherlands. However, you will find that free VPNs struggle to unblock streaming services with strict anti-VPN measures such as Netflix and DAZN. Furthermore, free VPNs typically have only a small network of servers, making it a challenge to unblock geo-restricted content in many countries.

Aside from issues of unblocking content, free VPNs also have performance problems. This is particularly noticeable when streaming. Slow speeds and limited bandwidth means you’ll encounter a lot of lag and buffering. Security may also be problematic, particularly if the free VPN you use doesn’t secure your data with encryption. Indeed, you may even find that it logs your data (such as your browsing history) and sells it to third parties.

There are lots of important things to consider when shopping for a streaming VPN. You have to know that it’s fast enough for live TV, for instance, and that it’ll be able to evade detection by increasingly-advanced VPN-detection systems. We ensured that only the best services made the cut by filtering out candidates using the criteria below:

• Dutch servers: Naturally, we’ll require these to get a Dutch IP address. Still, we look for providers with lots of servers to choose from, preferably spread across several cities. This way, you won’t have to rely on ones that are far from your actual location.
• High speeds: Streaming can be pretty data-intensive, especially if you want to watch in 4K. We only recommend VPN that performed well in our latest speed tests, so you shouldn’t have any playback issues (providing your base connection is halfway decent).
• Streaming potential: It’s no good having a speedy VPN if it can’t unblock your preferred streaming service! We tested candidates with several popular platforms including NPO, Disney+, HBO Max, and Amazon Prime Video to see just how well they fared against some of the toughest services to unblock.
• Security and privacy: Users have to be able to stream safely, so we only recommended VPNs with 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a no-logs policy. Naturally, we prefer services with even more security tools built-in.
• User-friendliness: Digital privacy should be availale to everyone. For this reason, we’ve prioritized VPNs that have beginner-friendly apps, free live chat, and well-organized menus. Some even have special servers designed for streaming!
• Pricing: We’ll never recommend a service that charges more than it’s worth. Not only are the VPNs above fairly-priced, but they all offer money-back guarantees to ensure you can try them before you commit.

This is just the beginning of our larger testing process. If you’re interested, we have a whole post that explains exactly how we put VPNs through their paces.

Streaming Dutch TV online: Frequently Asked Questions