How to watch German TV in the US in 2026

German TV channels and streaming platforms must respect licensing agreements and block access to their content in countries where they don’t hold streaming rights. Although that’s understandable, it’s undoubtedly frustrating when you’re only traveling in the US for a short period of time. This is where a Virtual Private Network (VPN) comes in.

When you connect to a VPN, the data traveling between your device and the internet is routed through an encrypted tunnel. This protects your data from prying eyes and spoofs your location so you can sidestep geographic restrictions. Connect to a server in your preferred country – in this case, Germany – to get a new, temporary IP address matching that location. With that IP address, you can watch German TV from the US.

Here’s a short summary of the best VPNs for watching German TV in the US:

1. NordVPN: The best VPN for watching German TV in the US
   TIP:In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for watching German TV in the US. You can try it risk free with NordVPN’s 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. Surfshark: Best for users on a budget
3. Total VPN: Best value for watching German TV in the US
4. Proton VPN: Excellent choice for privacy enthusiasts
5. ExpressVPN: Best for users who want a premium VPN
6. IPVanish: Best for security and privacy
7. CyberGhost: Great choice for ease of use

How to watch German TV in the US with a VPN

You don’t need experience with VPNs to use one to watch German TV from the US. Quality VPNs have a straightforward setup process. Following the instructions below should have you streaming German TV in the US within minutes.

Here’s how to watch German TV in the US using a VPN:

1. First, select one of the VPNs listed above. We particularly recommend NordVPN, but if you’re still undecided, you can find out more in the full VPN reviews below.
2. Choose your preferred subscription plan. Keep in mind that the longer the commitment, the steeper the discount you’re likely to get.
3. Download and install the VPN app on your streaming device. In fact, all of the VPNs covered let you connect multiple devices simultaneously.
4. Open the VPN app and log in if prompted. You can then select a server in Germany and click connect.
5. You’ll now have a German IP address for unblocking and watching German TV from the US. Visit the German TV channel or streaming platform.
6. German TV should now stream without restriction. If you’re still coming across an error message, clear your browser’s cookies and refresh your browser.

VPNs for German TV in the US compared

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

Best VPNs for watching German TV in the US

Here’s our list of the best VPNs to use for watching German TV in the US:

1. NordVPN

Mar 2026

NordVPN is our top choice for watching German TV in the US. It has everything you could ask for from a streaming VPN including more than 240 servers in three German cities. With servers in 188 locations worldwide, it’s one of the most consistent unblocking VPNs around. You’ll have no trouble whether you’re trying to watch ARD or RTL+. The NordLynx protocol gives the fastest speeds, and NordVPN ranks among the fastest VPNs.

You’ll find specialty servers including P2P-optimized connections and Double VPN for when you want an extra layer of encryption for your data. Your security is taken seriously as evidenced by the availability of ChaCha20 and 256-bit AES encryption protocols, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch. NordVPN’s no-logs policy has been independently audited by Deloitte.

Connect up to 10 devices at the same time and Watch German TV in the USA on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Apple TV, or Amazon Fire TV. You can also find Chrome, Firefox, and Edge extensions. As for routers, NordVPN posts manual setup guides for compatible routers.

BEST VPN FOR WATCHING GERMAN TV IN THE US:NordVPN is our top choice. It works with ZDF, Netflix Germany, and more thanks to its over 240 German servers. Very fast speeds for 4K streaming. Specialty servers and 24/7 support included. Try NordVPN risk-free thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full NordVPN review.

2. Surfshark

Surfshark lets you watch German TV in the US from as little as $1.99 a month, making it ideal for streamers on a budget. Its generous network of over 4,500 servers spans 100 countries, including Germany, where servers are offered in Berlin and Frankfurt. An average download speed of 184 Mbps in testing put Surfshark among the fastest VPNs around, so it’s highly suitable for streaming, working well with German TV, and many different Netflix libraries.

Another standout feature of Surfshark is its unlimited simultaneous connection allowance. Secure all of your devices with ChaCha20 or 256-bit AES encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and kill switch. If that’s not enough, Surfshark provides MultiHop servers for added protection. Surfshark One plans include Surfshark Antivirus for even more comprehensive protection from threats. This no-logs service provides 24/7 support via live chat and email.

Surfshark has lightweight apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, Amazon Fire TV, and Apple TV. Chrome, Firefox, and Edge extensions are offered for when you only need to secure browser traffic. Surfshark is compatible with select routers but manual configuration is required.

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark gives you an affordable way to watch German TV in the US. Not only is it a strong unblocker, it’s fast enough to allow for lag-free 4K streaming. Connect all of your devices simultaneously. MultiHop servers available. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Surfshark review.

3. Total VPN

Total VPN gives you greater protection from threats than most VPNs thanks to it being bundled with Total Antivirus and Total Adblock. It comes with the best antivirus we’ve tested, yet Total VPN remains highly affordable. Servers are spread across 90 countries, including the US and Germany, so you’ll have no trouble whether trying to watch WDR, ARTE, or even a US streaming service like Hulu or Peacock.

If you need the fastest speeds for streaming, Total VPN supports WireGuard and offers unlimited bandwidth. The apps have a straightforward, streamlined layout that makes them accessible to first-time VPN users. However, 24/7 live chat support is available if you need help getting set up. Security consists of 256-bit AES or ChaCha20 encryption, a kill switch, and protection from DNS leaks. Split tunneling lets you choose which apps can bypass the VPN.

You’ll find Total VPN apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and tvOS. Unfortunately, it doesn’t offer an app for Linux or support for routers. Likewise, no browser extensions are available yet.

ANTIVIRUS PROTECTION:Total VPN combines its VPN protection with a top-rated antivirus as well as an ad blocker. It easily unblocks German TV channels as well as popular US streaming services. Beginner-friendly VPN with 24/7 support. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Total VPN review.

4. Proton VPN

Proton VPN may put privacy first but it doesn’t do so at the expense of performance. In fact, its use of the WireGuard protocol and VPN Accelerator feature maximize speeds for streaming. It has one of the largest server networks of any VPN, which makes a huge difference when it comes to unblocking. Nearly 19,000 servers worldwide, nearly 600 of which are in Germany, lets you access almost any German TV channel such as ARD, ZDF, and RTL.

This is one of very few VPNs that gives you the option to pay for your subscription anonymously in cash. It operates a strict no-logs policy as proven in multiple independent audits and its apps are open-source so anyone can freely inspect their code. Aside from 256-bit AES encryption, DNS leak protection, and a kill switch, Proton VPN offers ad blocking and provides Secure Core (Double VPN servers). It’s headquartered in Switzerland – a country with strong privacy laws.

Secure up to 10 devices at once with Proton VPN’s apps for the following: Windows, Android, Mac, iOS, Linux, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV. Browser extensions can be downloaded for Chrome and Firefox and setup guides are available for a variety of VPN-compatible routers.

PRIVACY-FIRST SERVICE:Proton VPN protects you with a strict no-logs policy, has Double VPN servers, and provides an anonymous payment option. Yet it’s fast, is a reliable unblocker of German TV, and has one of the largest VPN server networks. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Proton VPN review.

5. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN holds a reputation for being a very strong streaming option, in large part thanks to its consistent unblocking and a server network covering 105 countries. Aside from Germany, it has servers in all 50 US states so you can easily access and stream US Netflix, Hulu, ESPN, and more. Yet it also worked with German TV channels like SAT 1 in testing, so you can watch the Bundesliga from anywhere. Its proprietary protocol, Lightway, and unlimited bandwidth allowance allow for stress-free streaming.

Signing up with ExpressVPN gives you access to some quality extras including its own password manager and ad, tracker, and malicious website blocking. You can expect a high level of security as it employs not only 256-bit AES encryption, but DNS leak protection and a kill switch. We particularly recommend ExpressVPN to beginners for its user-friendly apps and excellent customer support which is accessible 24 hours a day via live chat and email.

You can connect between 10 and 14 devices simultaneously with ExpressVPN’s apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, Amazon Fire TV, and Apple TV. Chrome, Firefox, and Edge extensions are available, and you can even find custom firmware for routers.

RELIABLE STREAMING VPN:ExpressVPN won’t let you down when it comes to unblocking and streaming German TV. Servers are offered in 105 countries and speeds allow for 4K streaming. Includes a password manager and quality support. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full ExpressVPN review.

6. IPVanish

IPVanish has servers in Berlin and Frankfurt that let you stream German TV in the US or indeed any other country to which you travel. Overall, servers cover more than 150 locations including no shortage of cities in the US, so you can watch popular streaming services such as Netflix, Disney+, and HBO Max. IPVanish is now one of the fastest VPNs you can use and, unlike most VPNs, it doesn’t impose a limit on the number of devices you can connect simultaneously.

Particularly interesting are the numerous extras that come with IPVanish. You can get up to 1 TB of cloud storage, gain access to Double Hop servers, and further protect yourself online with IPVanish Secure Browser. This all adds to what’s already an impressive security setup consisting of ChaCha20 encryption, an in-app kill switch, and protection against DNS leaks. IPVanish operates a no-logs policy and now publishes quarterly transparency reports.

IPVanish has desktop (Windows, Mac, and Linux) and mobile (Android and iOS) apps as well as apps for Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV. It doesn’t offer any browser extensions. As for routers, you can manually configure a connection. IPVanish provides setup guides to help.

SECURE EVERY DEVICE:IPVanish provides a high level of security with robust encryption and even cloud storage and a secure browser. You can also secure every device simultaneously. Fast speeds allow for stress-free streaming of German TV. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full IPVanish review.

7. CyberGhost

CyberGhost tops our list of the fastest VPNs. Its specialty servers are optimized to securely access specific streaming services, Netflix Germany included, it’s a great option for watching German TV from abroad. You certainly won’t be limited when it comes to server locations. CyberGhost has a presence in 100 countries including approximately 1,500 servers in three German cities: Berlin, Dusseldorf, and Frankfurt.

You can use CyberGhost to secure up to seven devices at a time, all of which receive ChaCha20 or 256-bit AES encryption and protection from DNS leaks. An automatic kill switch cuts your internet traffic should the VPN connection drop to prevent data from being exposed. CyberGhost doesn’t keep identifying logs of its users and has proven this in multiple independent audits of its no-logs policy. If you need help, 24/7 support is available.

To watch German TV in the US with CyberGhost, connect to a server via an app for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, or Amazon Fire TV. Alternatively, make use of its Chrome or Firefox extension. Setup on a compatible wifi router requires manual installation.

FASTEST VPN:CyberGhost has the fastest speeds for streaming German TV and offers roughly 1,500 servers in three German cities. You’ll find servers optimized for many different streaming services. It’s also a highly secure VPN. 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full CyberGhost review.

Our VPN testing methodology

Part of identifying the best VPNs to watch German TV in the US is testing them for that very purpose. This means measuring their connection speeds, trying their servers against different TV channels, and making sure there are no data leaks while connected. Here we explain our testing process so you can better understand how the above VPNs ultimately made the cut.

Speed

A VPN’s speed is of paramount importance when it comes to streaming. A VPN that offers high-speed connections allows you to stream content without having to contend with performance problems such as lag and buffering – both of which are more likely when watching German TV in higher resolution, be it 1080p HD or 4K.

We connect to three different server locations for each VPN, measuring our download speed for each at three different times of day to capture all levels of network activity. We compared this against our base connection speed to measure any dropoff. The further a server is from your actual location, the more speed loss you’re likely to see. However, selecting a low load server and using a fast protocol such as WireGuard can help offset this.

Unblocking and streaming performance

A VPN may offer fast server speeds but that doesn’t automatically make it suitable for watching German TV in the US. Some VPNs are better than others at bypassing blocks of TV streaming platforms. In order to find the most consistent VPNs in this respect, we tested each VPN’s German servers against a variety of German TV channels including RTL+, ZDF, and ARD, as well as large streaming platforms like Netflix Germany.

Ideally, we want to see a VPN access each streaming platform on the first try. Beyond that, the best VPNs for watching German TV offer smooth playback without interruptions even when streaming in high resolution. VPNs that suffered from too much lag or buffering were ruled out from consideration.

Server network

The priority was finding VPNs with a generous helping of servers in Germany for watching German TV. Of course, it doesn’t hurt to have access to local servers in the US for when you want to secure your connection but enjoy the fastest browsing speeds. We found VPNs with plenty of servers in both countries, as well as in dozens of countries worldwide.

Many of the VPNs included here offer specialty servers. Some are optimized for streaming or P2P while others provide another layer of encryption for your data. In some cases, Dedicated IP addresses are available so we look at how much extra these cost and which locations are offered. These may not be deal-breakers for you, but can be nice options to have.

Security

In order for a VPN to sufficiently secure your data from hackers and snoopers, it must employ a high level of encryption. We sought VPNs that offer robust VPN protocols such as WireGuard and OpenVPN which use ChaCha20 and 256-bit AES encryption respectively. We also want to see that a VPN provides a kill switch for its apps, as well as protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks.

We test each VPN’s leak protection by running DNS and IP leak tests online. When connected to a VPN’s servers, we don’t expect to see our real IP address, location, or our ISP’s DNS servers. To test a VPN’s kill switch, we forcefully shut down our VPN connection and look to see if the kill switch steps in to cut our internet traffic. Only the VPNs that pass these tests are ultimately selected.

Privacy

A VPN is supposed to help you browse and stream privately. The irony is that many VPNs – particularly free VPNs – log your IP address and browsing activity. This may be shared with authorities upon request or otherwise sold to third parties. We prioritize VPNs that operate no-logs policies.

Not content to just accept that a “no-logs” VPN is what it says, we read its privacy policy to find out which data it is and isn’t collecting. Most of the best VPNs for watching German TV have had their no-logs claims independently verified in third party audits. Some even publish transparency reports which detail the number of information requests received from authorities.

Ease of use

Our testing begins with signup, after which we download and install a VPN’s app and proceed to connect to a server and adjust our settings. By following the same steps, we can put ourselves in your shoes in determining whether a VPN is easy to use. In particular, we’ll look for a VPN’s app to have an uncluttered interface with a quick connect button and easily findable settings page.

We’ll explore a VPN’s website – specifically its help section – to assess its setup guides and troubleshooting articles. The best resources tend to include step-by-step instructions as well as plenty of screenshots so that they’re easier to follow. All of the VPNs covered here also offer live chat and email support – 24 hours a day in most cases.

Value for money

There are so many VPNs on the market that there’s always great deals to be found and that’s certainly the case with the VPNs listed here. In most cases, you’ll have the choice of one month, one year, and two year plans. Short-term subscriptions cost more on average per month but don’t require you to pay as much upfront and give you flexibility to cancel at short notice. Long-term plans come with steeper discounts but you have to pay the full term upfront.

All of the best VPNs to watch German TV offer money-back guarantees of 30 days (except CyberGhost which has a 45-day money-back guarantee). You’ll still need to pay upfront but then have 30 days to request a full refund for your money back. Most also offer free trials on Android and iOS, giving you another way to test out their services before making a commitment.

Can I use a free VPN to watch German TV in the US?

Although it may be tempting to use a free VPN, they’re unfortunately not reliable when it comes to bypassing content restrictions. Many will struggle to access German TV from the US, and also have difficulties with international streaming platforms. Besides, most free VPNs impose speed and data limits which makes streaming all but impossible. Even if you were to access a German TV channel from abroad, the stream would likely suffer from heavy lag and buffering.

Free VPNs not only have limitations in terms of performance but when it comes to protection. A lack of investment compared to quality paid VPNs often results in weak encryption or even the absence of leak protection, resulting in the exposure of your personal data. It’s important to be aware that some free VPNs even keep logs which can identify you as a user to sell to third parties. It’s fair to say that free VPNs pose far more problems than they fix.

German TV in the US FAQs