How to watch British TV in Spain and stream UK TV in 2026

International travelers often forget that the services they use all the time back home might not be available elsewhere in the world. For instance, popular British streaming services like BBC iPlayer, Sky Go, ITVX, and Channel 4 don’t work in Spain. The good news is that you can simply use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to spoof your location and stream live UK TV in Spain or anywhere else.

VPNs aren’t just great for catching up on your favorite shows abroad though, they also greatly enhance your digital privacy by encrypting your internet traffic and giving you a new temporary IP address. The end result is that you can watch British TV in Spain with nobody (not your ISP, the hotel, or local hotspot owners) any the wiser.

Today, I’ll guide you through some of the best VPNs for watching UK TV in Spain, highlighting any strengths or shortcomings you should know about. Short on time? No problem, here’s a quick overview of my findings:

Best VPNs for watching British TV in Spain:

1. NordVPN: #1 VPN for UK TV in Spain. Very fast UK servers and plenty of extra features. Works seamlessly with BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4, My5, Sky TV, BT Sport, and more. Also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for British TV.
2. Surfshark: Best budget VPN for watching British TV. Unlimited device connections, fast speeds, and no connection or bandwidth limits. Has no issues unblocking UK TV channels in Spain.
3. Total VPN: This no-logs VPN excels at unblocking British streaming platforms like ITVX. Beginner-friendly apps and a good degree of security.
4. ProtonVPN: A no-logs service aimed at experienced users. Great for streaming British TV abroad and packed with advanced security tools. Very large network.
5. ExpressVPN: A solid all-rounder for UK TV in Spain. Takes your privacy seriously and works with BBC iPlayer, Sky TV, ITVX, and more.
6. IPVanish: This low-cost VPN can secure all of your devices and unblock most UK streaming platforms abroad. Strong on security and very easy to use.
7. CyberGhost: Ideal for beginners. Makes it easy to find servers that work to stream British TV. Boasts high speeds, automatic wifi protection, and a strict no-logs policy.
8. PureVPN: Affordable VPN with consistent access to BBC iPlayer and other British TV platforms. Robust no-logs policy and strong AES-256 encryption. Obfuscation is enabled by default.
9. PrivateVPN: A privacy-focused Swedish VPN that is excellent for torrenting, gaming, and streaming. British servers work well for streaming UK TV in Spain.

How to watch UK TV in Spain

Unblocking British TV in Spain is easier than you might think. Just follow these five simple steps:

1. Start by choosing a reputable provider (I recommend NordVPN).
2. Download and install the VPN app.
3. Login and connect to a UK VPN server.
4. Go to a UK video streaming site in your browser, choose your video, and enjoy!
5. If your chosen video won’t play, clearing your cookies and cache before reloading the page solves most problems. Alternatively, try a different UK server or contact your VPN provider’s customer support team for further assistance.

Related: How to watch British TV in France

How I chose the best VPNs for watching UK TV in Spain

There are a multitude of VPNs on offer, though relatively few of them are suitable for watching UK TV in Spain. Some are too slow, some lack adequate security, and some – most, in fact- just don’t work with UK streaming services. To make sure I covered all bases before making any recommendations, I tested providers against a range of criteria. You’ll find a summary below and a more thorough exploration of the testing data further down the page.

• Speed: To find out how fast each VPN provider’s UK servers were, I carried out three speed tests over the course of a day, using a home broadband connection to simulate the average user’s experience. Note that Comparitech carries out regular lab-based testing too, though this is more about finding out providers’ maximum possible speeds.
• Streaming ability: First off, I checked how many UK server locations each VPN offered. Then, I checked whether they were able to access platforms like BBC iPlayer, Sky Go, ITVX, Netflix and Amazon Prime Video from abroad.
• Security & privacy: I scored providers against 15 different security and privacy criteria. These included the level of encryption and authentication, whether they log customer activity data, and which VPN protocols they support.
• Ease of use: To calculate how easy VPNs were to use, I scored them on 10 different metrics. These included the user-friendliness of their apps and how difficult it is to sign up for — or cancel — subscriptions.
• Value for money: I checked the lowest monthly price of each VPN, how often it goes on sale, and whether there are student discounts available. Of course, my testing also included looking into simultaneous connection limits, general versatility, and whether any free extras are included with your subscription.

Best VPNs to access British TV from Spain compared

I’ve compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – the #1 choice for British TV.

Best VPNs for watching UK TV from Spain: detailed reviews

Here are my in-depth reviews of the best VPNs for watching British TV from Spain or anywhere. 

1. NordVPN

Feb 2026

NordVPN is my top recommendation for watching British TV in Spain. It has more than 440 servers in the UK, and 8,000+ in total across a further 120 countries. Not only that, this VPN works with streaming apps that stump many of its rivals. You’ll be able to stream BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Netflix, and just about anything else you’re interested in, though live chat-based support is available 24/7 in case you have any issues. Each subscription lets you secure up to 10 devices at the same time.

This is an extremely intuitive service, so you should be able to use it even if you don’t have any previous VPN experience. You simply choose a server location on the left and monitor various connection metrics on the right, with a sidebar for navigating to the settings menu or accessing features included with Plus or Ultimate subscriptions.

I tested the speed of NordVPN’s fastest-available British servers three times (in the morning, at noon, and in the afternoon). These tests were run on a home broadband connection with an average speed of around 45 Mbps. NordVPN achieved an average result of 43.03 Mbps, speeds varying by less than 2 Mbps. That’s exceptional performance, and well above what’s needed for watching UK TV abroad.

That’s a great start but your VPN has to be able to secure your data too. Luckily, NordVPN uses uncrackable encryption, a customizable kill switch, and automatic leak protection, backed up by a fully-audited zero-logs policy. It even has a stealth protocol called NordWhisper and automatic wifi protection so that international visitors to Spain can use public hotspots without worrying about their privacy.

Believe it or not, there’s more! NordVPN offers obfuscated servers, servers designed for accessing the Tor network, and servers that encrypt your traffic twice. It also allows split tunneling so you can tell specific apps to pass through the VPN unencrypted. Finally, this service can block ads and trackers at the touch of a button.

Apps can be installed on Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, and Linux. NordVPN also has manual setup guides in case you’d like to install it directly on a router.

BEST FOR BRITISH TV:NordVPN is my #1 choice. It boasts fast speeds, excellent security features, and exceptional unblocking capabilities. NordVPN gives a 30-day risk-free money-back guarantee on all subscriptions.

Read my full NordVPN review.

---

2. Surfshark

Surfshark is the best budget VPN for streaming British TV abroad. It has a network of around 4,500 RAM-only servers across 100+ countries, with two locations in England and two in Scotland. While this is a low-cost service, it’s highly-capable, unblocking platforms like BBC iPlayer, ITVX, and Amazon Prime Video without breaking a sweat. Customer support is available 24 hours per day via live chat and users can secure every device they own with a single subscription.

Even if you’ve never used a VPN before, you’ll feel right at home with Surfshark. Its apps are extremely straightforward, with server selection on the left and various connection metrics on the right. There’s also a sidebar though most of its icons deal with features that are only included with Surfshark One plans.

My next challenge was to find out just how fast Surfshark is. That’s why I tested its London server at three different times using a 45 Mbps connection. Surfshark delivered an average speed of 42.6 Mbps, which is an effectively unnoticable level of impact. You will, of course, be able to stream, play games, and torrent with no issues.

I was actually very impressed by Surfshark’s security offering. In addition to unbreakable encryption, a kill switch, and protection from DNS and IPv6 leaks, it has a no-logs policy that’s been audited multiple times. Surfshark can also block ads and trackers, or change your IP address every few minutes for maximum anonymity.

If you’re looking for the opportunity to get hands-on, you’ll appreciate how flexible this VPN is. With the NoBorders mode active, you’ll be able to browse safely anywhere, even in places like China. There’s also split tunneling support, static IP addresses, and a tool capable of blocking various types of adult content (such as profanity, pornography, and gambling), making the web safer for your family.

Other features include an Alternative ID tool that lets you create fake personas, complete with name, address and date of birth. It’s useful for setting up online accounts where you don’t necessarily want to use your real name and address. Alternative ID isn’t currently available for UK addresses, but it does work for the US, Australia, Germany, Portugal, Denmark, and Brazil.

Surfshark has apps for Linux, Windows, Android, MacOS, and iOS. Manual setup is required for routers. The cheapest two-year plans cost the equivalent of $2.19 a month, though you’ll have to pay more for things like antivirus and to use the company’s data removal service.

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark is the top low-cost VPN for streaming UK TV abroad. Strong on security, with exceptional streaming ability and no connection limit. Better still, this service comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read the full review of Surfshark here.

---

3. Total VPN

Total VPN has lots of British servers spread across Coventry and London, but its network actually spans more than 80 countries around the world. This makes it a perfect choice for anyone hoping to stream their favorite TV shows while visiting Spain. Users can connect up to five devices at a time and get help, day or night, in the unlikely event that anything goes wrong.

When it comes to performance, Total VPN usually does quite well. Still, my goal is to provide you with the most up-to-date info, which is why I ran another three speed tests on this provider’s UK servers (one in the morning, at noon, and in the afternoon). Total VPN had an average speed of 41 Mbps, which is fast enough for any day to day task, whether it’s live streaming British TV, torrenting, or gaming.

This service has a strong set of security features, including 256-bit AES encryption (which is currently considered uncrackable), protection against DNS, WebRTC, and IPv6 leaks, and a strict no-logs policy. It also offers a kill switch on mobile platforms, though ideally this would be expanded to the desktop apps as well. Total VPN also supports split tunneling, either only accessing certain sites via the VPN or allowing them to bypass it entirely.

Total VPN provides its own apps for Windows, Android, iOS, and MacOS. It can’t be installed on routers or Linux systems just yet, unfortunately.

WATCH UK TV ANYWHERE:Total VPN does a fantastic job of accessing popular British platforms in Spain. Refuses to keep logs of your online activities and has a large network. Sign up for a year or more and this VPN will come with a 30-day money-back guarantee (otherwise it’s 14 days).

Take a look at the full Total VPN review for more details.

---

4. ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN is a versatile provider with a fantastic record where privacy is concerned. It operates more than 15,000 servers in 120+ countries around the world, with at least one location in each of the UK’s constituent countries. I can confirm that this VPN works effortlessly with major UK streaming platforms like ITVX, Channel 5, Netflix, and BBC iPlayer from anywhere. There’s a 10 simultaneous connection limit plus support staff are available 24/7 via live chat.

Using this service feels intuitive thanks to its clutter-free layout and the fact that you can access virtually anything you could ever need right from the home screen. In particular, I thought letting users create different profiles for different tasks was a nice touch. I do, however, question the value of having a kill switch toggle since that’s something you’d generally want active at all times.

Next up, I wanted to see just how fast ProtonVPN’s British servers really were. To do this, I tested them several times over the course of a typical day. This resulted in an average speed of 39.98 Mbps, which is a highly competitive result given my base connection speed was around 45 Mbps. In short, you should be able to watch UK TV from anywhere, without any noticeable interruptions or performance issues.

This VPN cares about your privacy. How do I know that? Well, for starters, it’s independently audited every year, proving that it doesn’t keep any logs of your activities. There’s also powerful encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch built-in, as well as automatic ad and tracker-blocking. ProtonVPN even has a stealth protocol capable of beating some of the world’s toughest digital limitations.

It doesn’t end there. ProtonVPN’s apps are all open-source meaning anyone can inspect their code for vulnerabilities. Port forwarding is allowed, which is great news for any torrenters out there. Other features include app-based and IP-based split tunneling, a kill switch, and an accelerator feature that can boost your speeds. Finally, ProtonVPN offers Secure Core servers that are housed in company-owned data centers for maximum protection from outside interference.

ProtonVPN has its own apps for Linux (GUI-based), Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS. Its website also provides step by step installation guides for routers.

FULLY FEATURED:ProtonVPN is a strong all-rounder that’s perfect for anyone who wants a little more control. Lots of reliable UK servers, strong streaming abilities, and plenty of customizable security features. Paid plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Find out more in my ProtonVPN review.

---

5. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is a strong choice for anyone hoping to stream safely abroad. It has a network spanning 105 countries and has no problems accessing streaming sites that most of its rivals can’t. For instance, I was able to watch BBC iPlayer, My5, Netflix, and ITVX on my first attempt. That said, all of its UK server locations are in England, making it unsuitable forunblocking STV Player or Virgin One. Staff are on-hand 24 hours per day over live chat though hopefully you’ll never need their help.

If you’ve never used a VPN before, I can’t recommend this service enough. It makes day to day operation as straightforward as possible by having a well-organized, clutter-free design and enabling its most crucial security features by default. The settings all have a description explaining what each does too, with most controlled using simple checkboxes.

I tested ExpressVPN’s British servers in the morning, at lunchtime, and in the afternoon to see what kind of speeds you can expect. On a basic 45 Mbps connection, this VPN delivered an average speed of 39.32 Mbps with around 1.5 Mbps of fluctuation. That’s not even going to be noticable, and is well above what’s required for live streaming British TV shows. Let’s see the full results:

ExpressVPN boasts a robust set of privacy features, starting with its quantum-resistant encryption, kill switch, and leak protection. It also obfuscates your traffic automatically when it detects that you’re in a country with extreme censorship like China. This service can block ads, trackers, and suspicious websites and allow specific apps to pass through unencrypted, plus it follows a no-logging policy (a fact which has been verified several times by external auditors).

Apps run on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Stick, and Fire tablets. ExpressVPN has its own custom router firmware, meaning you’ll be able to stream UK TV on any internet-connected device. This provider also comes with its own Smart DNS service (though this only works with US content).

ExpressVPN recently switch to a tiered pricing system. As such, it’s cheaper than ever before, despite being a fully audited VPN with RAM-only servers, a large network, strong security features, and the ability to access most streaming sites.

UNBLOCK ALMOST ANYTHING:ExpressVPN is a strong choice for watching British TV from Spain. You get fast speeds, strong privacy, and access to all UK channels, including premium video streaming services. ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read my full ExpressVPN review

---

6. IPVanish

IPVanish has what it takes to help you stream British TV shows in Spain. It operates more than 3,200 servers in 100 countries globally, with half a dozen locations spread across Scotland, England, and Northern Ireland (though the majority are in London). I’m pleased to reveal that this VPN works with most UK platforms including Channel 5, ITVX, and All 4. IPVanish is one of the few VPNs that doesn’t have a connection limit. Support staff are ready to assist you 24 hours per day over live chat.

This VPN actually owns its entire network, which reduces the chance of third-party interference and ensures that IPVanish can roll out updates or patches as quickly as possible. It’s great to see a provider that reveals how many servers it has in every location, especially since IPVanish also shows the current load and ping of each.

To get the most accurate idea of IPVanish’s performance, I tested its speeds three times while connected to its fastest-available British server. This provider achieved an average speed of 39.97 Mbps, making it one of the quicker services in this list. For context, that’s nearly three times the recommended speeds for watching 4K video, so you have nothing to worry about where streaming is concerned.

IPVanish represents a good blend of versatility and security. It might not be as customizable as some of its rivals but there’s more than enough to satisfy most users, including support for the WireGuard, OpenVPN and IKEv2 protocols, traffic obfuscation, split tunneling functionality, malware and tracker-blocking, and multi-hop servers. Naturally, this is all backed up with bulletproof encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch. IPVanish refuses to log any details of your activities and has been audited several times for your peace of mind.

IPVanish now has an Advanced subscription which costs around a dollar more than a standard plan but includes the VPN, 1 TB of cloud storage, and a remotely-accessible, privacy-first browser. Given cloud storage alone normally costs more than this, you’re effectively getting everything else for free!

So how exactly does this browser work? Well, unlike a traditional browser, it streams a remote screen to your device, meaning you’re actually browsing from a remote-controlled server rather than your own computer. This setup ensures that your internet activity remains hidden from ISPs and local networks while also blocking malware, trackers, and phishing attempts before they ever reach your system. It’s perfect for people in places with heavy censorship or those who don’t have the permissions needed to install additional software on their devices.

IPVanish apps run on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Amazon Fire TV, and Amazon Fire Stick. You can also configure a connection with some home routers routers and set-top boxes with manual setup.

GRANULAR SERVER CHOICE:IPVanish has plenty of UK servers that are fast and secure. Great value subscriptions and no connection limit. Works with BBC iPlayer, ITVX, and more. IPVanish offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on annual plans.

Read the full IPVanish review

---

7. CyberGhost

CyberGhost is one of the best options for users who want to think about their VPN as little as possible. Straight away, you’ll notice that its server list is split into various groups, letting you know which are best for watching UK TV from abroad. There are servers in 100+ countries and in my professional experience, they tend to connect quickly and work first time with major streaming platforms. If anything goes wrong, there’s 24/7 live chat. Users can connect seven devices at the same time.

This provider’s apps are extremely easy to navigate since you simply move from the left to the right, narrowing in your choice of servers then hitting the connect button. You can also click the arrow to minimize everything but the main panel, which is great if you’ve found a server that works consistently and don’t need the rest.

Next, I wanted to get a feel for CyberGhost’s performance. This meant measuring its speed at various times of day, keeping a close eye on its overall consistency as well as its raw speed. This VPN did quite well, averaging 39.72 Mbps. That’s just a hair slower than IPVanish, and still significantly faster than is needed for streaming. Here are my full test results:

Most of this provider’s security tools are active by default, so there’s minimal setup required. For instance, the moment you connect you’re protected by unbreakable encryption, a kill switch, and leak prevention systems. Crucially, CyberGhost has a no-logs policy and has been audited multiple times. It even publishes regular transparency reports, which is a rarity.

If you’d like a little more control over your connection, CyberGhost lets you create custom smart rules that determine when the VPN will activate on its own. You can also send data via a random port which might help beat some forms of VPN-detection. Other tools include automatic wifi protection, ad and tracker-blocking, and split tunneling functionality, as well as NoSpy servers designed for maximum privacy.

CyberGhost apps are well-designed and easy to use. Supported platforms include Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Amazon Fire TV, and Amazon Fire Stick. Manual router configuration is possible, which would only use one of the allocated connections while protecting every device on a home network. CyberGhost subscriptions are great value, with the two-year plan costing the equivalent of $2.19 a month.

GREAT FOR NOVICES:CyberGhost makes it easy to stream UK TV while traveling in Spain. It’s fast, newcomer-friendly, and secure, plus it includes a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read the full CyberGhost review

---

8. PureVPN

PureVPN is another reliable option for streaming British TV in Spain. It operates more than 6,000 servers in 65 countries and works flawlessly with ITVX, Disney Plus GB, Netflix UK, and Channel 4, to name but a few major services. There are even some that are specially optimized for streaming tucked away in the Shortcuts tab. Users are permitted up to 10 simultaneous connections and can get 24/7 assistance using PureVPN’s live chat service.

This provider’s apps are nice and intuitive. Nothing crazy here, just navigation on the left and a quick connection button placed front and center. Even the settings are well-organized, with a short description of what each does so that you never get confused. I’d prefer if the streaming servers were a bit more visible but that’s a fairly minor complaint, all things considered.

Following a full day of testing, PureVPN delivered an average speed of 39.73 Mbps. That’s virtually identical to CyberGhost’s performance, though in my experience, CyberGhost will outpace PureVPN on faster connections. Still, speeds like these are more than enough for uninterrupted gaming, video calling, or streaming. Take a look:

The main question is whether this provider can keep you safe while streaming in Spain. I’m happy to reveal that it boasts powerful security features such as 256-bit AES encryption, protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks, and a kill switch that stops data transferal when your connection drops unexpectedly. PureVPN has an independently audited no-logs policy and can block trackers (though not ads or malicious downloads) automatically. It also offers split tunneling support in case you’d like to let certain applications or websites pass through unencrypted.

Most VPNs provide introductory offers — typically for a maximum of two years. PureVPN bucks this trend with a five-year plan. Signing up for this means users only need to pay around $2.16 a month for the first five years. PureVPN lets you sign up anonymously by paying in Bitcoin and better still, it comes with a 31-day money-back guarantee.

SUPERB VALUE:PureVPN makes it easy to access BBC iPlayer and other British TV platforms abroad. Easy to use on all devices. Robust no-logs policy and reliable AES-256 encryption. Includes a 31-day money-back guarantee to try the VPN.

Find out more in the full PureVPN review.

---

9. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN is a Swedish provider that does things a little differently. For instance, it has just 200 servers spanning 60+ countries while most of its rivals have server counts in the thousands. However, PrivateVPN’s network is owned, hosted, and managed in-house, ensuring nobody else can ever access your data. Additionally, this VPN works with even the most stubborn streaming apps, so staying up to date on British shows like Coronation Street won’t be an issue, even if you’re in Spain.

The apps are very straightforward, though unusually, you can switch between a simple and advanced view. I’d recommend sticking with the advanced view if possible, just because there are critical features (such as the stealth mode) that aren’t accessible at all in the simple view. You can even see the current ping of each server, though there are often just one or two in each country.

Streaming is a fairly data-heavy task, so you’ll need a VPN capable of providing consistently high speeds. After testing PrivateVPN’s British servers at three times of day, I recorded an average speed of 38.94 Mbps. While this is lower than most of the providers above, that’s to be expected given PrivateVPN’s do-it-yourself approach to infrastructure. In short, this VPN is still more than capable of handling 4K streaming.

It should come as no surprise that a service called PrivateVPN goes above and beyond to ensure your anonymity. This VPN uses adjustable encryption (128-bit or 256-bit AES), an app-specific kill switch, and automatic DNS and IPv6 leak protection to keep you safe at all times. PrivateVPN doesn’t keep any logs and even boasts a Stealth VPN mode that can bypass China’s Great Firewall, so you shouldn’t have issues with any geo-blocked platform. Good news for torrenters too — this is one of the only providers that includes port forwarding as standard, with no extra fees.

PrivateVPN apps are available for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. It provides manual setup guides for Linux platforms and routers on its website. Support staff are available during European business hours and even offer remote assistance, which no other major provider offers.

Subscriptions are excellent value — particularly the three-year plan. This costs the equivalent of $2 a month, which is lowest in this list. You can sign up with just an email address and pay in cryptocurrency if preferred.

PRIVACY VPN:PrivateVPN offers very strong privacy protection and will help you access British TV from Spain. You get a 30-day no-questions-asked money-back guarantee.

Read the full PrivateVPN review

---

Using a free VPN to get British TV in Spain

Although these recommended VPNs are very easy to use, the work that goes into them is very complicated and incurs costs. Yet, there are free VPNs around. So, how do these VPNs get away with charging when others give the service for free? The answer is that free VPNs just don’t give the same level of service.

Most of them are cripplingly slow and make it difficult to stream video without lag or buffering. In any case, most of them are unable to bypass geo-restriction measures, so they can’t provide access to British TV video streaming services. Worse still, just about every free VPN will have some form of data cap, meaning you can’t use it as much as you might like to unless you choose to upgrade.

In addition, free VPNs still need to make money and they come up with a lot of sneaky ways to profit without giving a proper service. Many of them don’t include encryption, which means your traffic is completely exposed. Others force you to watch adverts before they connect you, and some track your data for sale to third parties.

VPNs can protect you when using public wi-fi too

When you travel, you tend to rely on the free wi-fi services offered by hotels, bars, and transport hubs. This is often convenient but means you can’t really trust that your connections are truly secure since whoever owns the network can see everything you get up to online (at least on sites that don’t use HTTPS).

An increasingly prevalent hacker trick these days is to set up fake wi-fi hotspots. Any laptop can be turned into a wireless access point. All the hacker has to do is change the wi-fi name (SSID) of his computer from the name assigned by the manufacturer to something that sounds like it belongs to the location. For example, if you are in Bar Tropicale in Torremolinos, the hacker wi-fi computer might be called “Bar Tropicale Free WIFI” or “Free Torremolinos Wifi.”

When you connect to one of these seemingly genuine hotspots, you are actually connecting to the hacker’s computer. The hacker connects his computer to the real wi-fi hotspot and passes through all of your traffic, so you will actually get online. However, while all of your data passes from your device to the internet, the hacker gets access to it. This could allow the hacker to capture things like your bank details and your username and password for a whole range of online services, including your email and your Netflix account.

A VPN can prevent this by ensuring your connection is entirely protected by strong encryption, so no one intercepting the transmissions can tell what sites you are connecting to or what content is returning to your computer. The hacker isn’t able to perform the “man-in-the-middle attack” described above because the process requires both the VPN app and server to prove their identities, which the hacker can’t fake.

So, for peace of mind and to keep your data safe, always connect your VPN when using public wi-fi.

Watching UK TV in Spain: FAQs