How to watch Portuguese TV online abroad (outside Portugal)

If you travel outside Portugal, you’ll find that some Portuguese TV channels, such as SIC, TVI, and RTP1, are unavailable. This is due to copyright and licensing restrictions. However, the good news is that by using a VPN, you can watch Portuguese TV channels from anywhere in the world.

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) re-routes your internet traffic to a server in the location of your choice; in this case, Portugal. While connected, you’re assigned a Portuguese IP address, which makes it look as if you’re browsing from within the country. As an added bonus, VPNs also encrypt your internet traffic, shielding your data from prying eyes and protecting your privacy.

In this article, we’ll explain how you can use a VPN to watch Portuguese TV networks from abroad, and we’ll list the best VPNs for the job. We go into more detail about each provider further on, but in case you’re short on time, here’s a quick summary.

The best VPNs for watching Portuguese TV from anywhere:

1. NordVPN: The best VPN for Portuguese TV. Has 20+ servers in Portugal. Very fast speeds, unlimited bandwidth, and strong unblocking ability. No-logs service with 24/7 support. Use up to 10 devices at once. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for Portuguese TV.
2. Surfshark: Best value VPN for watching Portuguese TV anywhere. Unlimited simultaneous connections. Works with SIC, TVI, and Netflix. Strong security with a no-logs policy and Double VPN servers. Includes 24/7 support.
3. IPVanish: Very fast speeds for streaming. Use on all of your devices at once. Stream Portuguese TV, including SIC. Live chat support is available 24/7. Security includes strong encryption and a zero-logs policy.
4. ExpressVPN: Good speeds. Works with SIC, RTP1, and also Netflix. Highly secure with encryption and includes 24/7 live chat support.
5. CyberGhost: Fast servers and unlimited bandwidth. Great for the likes of TVI and Netflix US. Up to seven simultaneous connections. Secure with a strict no-logs policy. 50+ servers in Portugal for watching Portuguese TV.
6. PureVPN: Another great-value option for Portuguese TV. Fast speeds and automatic obfuscation. Also supports torrenting on its network.
7. ProtonVPN: Can access Portuguese services and multiple Netflix regions. Incredibly secure with advanced security features.
8. PrivateVPN: Secure service to watch RTP1 and RTP2 abroad. User-friendly apps and live chat support. Protects your privacy with a zero-log privacy policy.

How to watch Portuguese TV shows abroad with a VPN

Don’t worry if this is your first time using a VPN. While they might sound complicated, VPNs are actually very quick and easy to use. Just follow these simple steps, and you’ll be streaming your favorite Portuguese TV channels online from anywhere.

Here’s how you can use a VPN to watch Portuguese TV from abroad:

1. Sign up with a VPN service that offers servers in Portugal. We particularly recommend NordVPN.
2. Download one of the VPN’s apps, making sure you’re installing the correct version for your device.
3. Open the VPN app and connect to a server in Portugal. This will give you the Portuguese IP address that will spoof your location and allow you to watch Portuguese TV shows abroad.
4. Choose your preferred Portuguese TV channel or streaming service. All region-locked content should now be unblocked.
5. If you’re still finding geographic restrictions, try clearing your browser’s cookies before reloading the page. Alternatively, try connecting to a different Portuguese server, or contact your VPN’s customer support for further guidance.

How we selected the top VPNs for Portuguese TV

There are plenty of VPN service providers on the market, but they don’t all offer the same level of service. We compiled our list of the best VPNs for watching Portuguese TV abroad by looking for those that performed well in the following areas of testing:

• Network suitability: We started by checking that providers had servers in Portugal. We then scored them on the number of other countries they supported. More countries means more streaming opportunities. Finally, we tested them with Portuguese TV channels as well as international streaming services like Netflix.
• Speed: To find the VPN providers most suitable for streaming Portuguese TV in without lag or buffering, we carried out multiple speed tests while connected to their servers in Portugal.
• Security and privacy: To ensure that your data is secure while streaming Portuguese TV, we’ve only recommended VPNs that scored highly against our 16 security and privacy metrics.
• Ease of use: To get you access to Portuguese TV as quickly as possible, we found the most user-friendly VPNs available. We did this by scoring them against 10 different metrics.
• Value for money: We looked for providers that offered users a good deal. We evaluated this using eight different value-for-money metrics.

You can find out more about our VPN testing methodology further on in this article. For now, let’s take a look at the ones that impressed us.  

The best VPNs for Portuguese TV: at a glance

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

Best VPNs for watching Portuguese TV from anywhere

At Comparitech, we strive to bring you the most helpful and accurate VPN advice possible. In order to do that, we use each VPN ourselves and put them through a rigorous real-world testing process. The following reviews are based on those first-hand experiences.

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

1. NordVPN

May 2025

NordVPN tops our list of the best VPNs to watch Portuguese TV from anywhere. It has over 20 servers in Portugal and some 7,400 others worldwide. While connected, you won’t have any trouble unblocking Portuguese services such as SIC and TVI. You’ll also be able to securely stream popular platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer abroad.

In our speed tests for this article, NordVPN averaged an impressive 198.57 Mbps. This was more than 62 Mbps faster than the combined average speeds of the other tested providers. As a rough guide, it’s fast enough for streaming in 4K on eight devices simultaneously.

Live chat support is included as part of your NordVPN subscription. This is available 24/7. You’ll also be able to secure 10 devices simultaneously. There’s no shortage of security features either, with 256-bit AES encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch.

NordVPN is headquartered in Panama, which doesn’t have mandatory data retention laws. Regardless, this VPN service operates a strict no-logs policy.

Apps are available for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, and Android TV. You also have the option of Chrome and Firefox browser extensions. However, manual setup is required for compatible routers.

BEST VPN FOR PORTUGUESE TV:NordVPN is our first choice VPN. It has incredible speeds and over 7,400 servers, some 20+ of which are in Portugal. Lets you stream SIC, RTP1 and RTP2 as well as other Portuguese TV channels from the USA or anywhere. Unlimited bandwidth and 24/7 support. Security includes a strict no-logs policy and Double VPN servers. A 30-day money-back guarantee makes it risk-free.

Read our full NordVPN review.

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2. Surfshark

Surfshark is a low-cost VPN that offers a service on par with or better than many more expensive service providers. It boasts a network of roughly 3,200 servers in 100+ countries (including Portugal). The provider offers unlimited bandwidth and strong unblocking ability. It works with plenty of Portuguese TV channels, including SIC and TVI. You can also use it to stream Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer.

In our tests, Surfshark’s speeds ranged from 189.36 Mbps to 195.82 Mbps. As well as being consistent, these high speeds make Surfshark suitable for streaming Portuguese in high resolution, as well as other tasks such as video calling or gaming. 

With Surfshark, you can connect an unlimited number of devices simultaneously. You’ll also have access to live chat and email support 24/7. The sheer number of security features ensures your privacy is protected when connected to Surfshark. Aside from a strict no-logs policy, it includes 256-bit AES encryption, DNS leak protection, and a kill switch. Double VPN servers are available should you want an extra layer of encryption.

You can connect to a server in Portugal via Surfshark’s apps for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, and Amazon Fire TV. Browser extensions are offered for Chrome and Firefox. Manual setup is required for use with routers.

BEST VALUE VPN:Surfshark works with SIC and RTP1. Let’s you secure unlimited devices simultaneously. Includes 24/7 support via live chat. Very strong security thanks to a strict no-logs policy and Double VPN servers. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Surfshark review.

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3. IPVanish

IPVanish is perfect if you have lots of devices to secure. That’s because it has no connection limit whatsoever — a far cry from most of its rivals, which tend to allow a maximum of 10.

Approximately 24 of its 2,400+ servers are located in Lisbon, Portugal. These allow you to stream TV from Portugal, including ARtv and RTP Memória. The provider also works with Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video.

In our tests, IPVanish averaged 170.24 Mbps. This is more than fast enough for streaming Portuguese TV. As IPVanish comes with unlimited bandwidth, you won’t have to worry about lag or buffering.  

Using IPVanish means you’re able to stay safe online, regardless of who might be watching. As such, you can maintain your online anonymity. Security features include 256-bit AES encryption, DNS leak protection, and a kill switch. You’ll be pleased to learn that IPVanish has a zero-logs policy. What’s more, should you have any trouble when using this VPN, live chat support is at hand, 24/7.

The recently introduced Advanced Plan bundles an unlimited VPN with a huge 1 TB of cloud storage and a remote cloud browser for roughly $1 more a month, which makes it fantastic value for money.

Apps are available for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, or Amazon Fire TV. Manual configuration is necessary to use IPVanish with Linux or compatible routers.

UNLIMITED BANDWIDTH:IPVanish is ideal for streaming thanks to its fast speeds and unlimited bandwidth. Works with SIC and TVI as well as Netflix US. Live chat support is available 24/7. Use on all of your devices simultaneously. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full IPVanish review.

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4. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN has a truly global network of servers that spans 105+ countries, including Portugal. It’s an excellent choice for securely accessing region-locked websites and services around the world. You can use it to stream national channels like SIC and RTP1, as well as access international content such as Netflix and Disney+.

Speed-wise, ExpressVPN is consistently quick. In our tests, the slowest and fastest results only varied by 3.53 Mbps. Its overall average of 128.06 Mbps makes it ideal for streaming, gaming, or torrenting.

With ExpressVPN, you can connect eight of your devices simultaneously. It offers very easy-to-use apps for a variety of platforms, 24/7 live chat, and email support.

The provider protects your privacy with 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch feature, and protection from DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks. You’ll be able to browse the web anonymously because this VPN service doesn’t keep any identifying logs.

You can use ExpressVPN by downloading an app for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, or Linux. Alternatively, you’ll find Chrome and Firefox browser extensions as well as custom firmware for routers.

EXCELLENT UNBLOCKER:ExpressVPN unblocks Portuguese TV channels abroad, including SIC and TVI. Also works with Netflix. User-friendly apps, as well as 24/7 support via live chat. Keeps your data secure with encryption. You can try ExpressVPN with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full ExpressVPN review.

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5. CyberGhost

CyberGhost has a large network of around 11,000 servers in 100 countries. It has 50+ servers in Portugal that are ideal for watching Portuguese TV overseas. Aside from Netflix US, you can expect CyberGhost to work with channels including ARtv and SIC.

While connected to CyberGhost’s servers in Portugal, we measured speeds averaging 132.73 Mbps. This makes for interruption-free streaming — even when using the highest resolution available.

If you’re looking for a VPN that offers a high level of security, CyberGhost ticks every box. For starters, it has a strict no-logs policy and secures data with 256-bit AES encryption. Further security features include a kill switch and DNS and IPv6 leak protection. You’ll be able to secure seven devices with a single CyberGhost account. A subscription also includes access to 24/7 support via live chat and email.

CyberGhost offers apps for the following operating systems: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS. There are also apps for Amazon Fire TV and Android TV, and browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox. Use with routers requires manual configuration.

STRONG PRIVACY PROTECTION:CyberGhost is fast and offers unlimited bandwidth. Use it to watch SIC overseas. 24/7 support and allows up to seven simultaneous connections. Huge network of 10,000+ servers. 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full CyberGhost review.

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6. PureVPN

PureVPN is a low-cost option for people in need of a Portuguese IP address from abroad. It works with RTP Play, SIC Online, TVI Player, NOS Play, and Meo Go without fault. It’s also a good call for international platforms like Netflix US, Hulu, and Max.

Its tested speeds were great. While we were connected to its servers in Portugal, we recorded an average speed of 134.39 Mbps. This is fast enough for 4K streaming, gaming, torrenting, and smooth video calls.

PureVPN has a verified no-logging policy and is compatible with Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux. Apps include a kill switch, AES encryption, and DNS leak prevention. If you want to torrent, port forwarding is available for a small additional cost.

Although the response time of PureVPN’s live chat support can be relatively slow, the overall value and effectiveness of the service make it a good choice for those on a budget. You can test it to get a Portuguese IP address using its 31-day money-back guarantee.

GREAT VALUE:PureVPN offers one of the cheaper ways to get a Portuguese IP address. It is easy to use and comes with all the features needed to get watertight online privacy. Includes AES encryption and a kill switch. Torrenting is permitted throughout its network. 31-day money-back guarantee.

Find out more in our PureVPN review.

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7. ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN is one of the best options for tech-savvy internet users in Portugal. It is based in Switzerland, which is renowned for its strict privacy laws. The VPN has a no-logs policy, and it has undergone independent audits to ensure advertised security standards are met.

ProtonVPN’s apps come with robust security features such as AES encryption, a kill switch, multiple protocols, obfuscation, multi-hop connections, and Tor over VPN. These make it one of the most sophisticated VPN solutions for Portuguese users.

The provider has 48 servers in Portugal, and 12,000+ more in a further 116 countries.

In our tests, ProtonVPN’s speeds ranged from 131.64 Mbps to 142.1 Mbps. These results were a little more variable than with the other VPNs, but not drastically so. The important thing is that, even at its slowest speed, ProtonVPN was still easily fast enough for streaming Portuguese TV without interruption.

ProtonVPN works to watch Portuguese streaming services like RTP Play, SIC Online, TVI Player, NOS Play, Meo Go, Opto SIC, and Globo Play Portugal. It also works to watch international platforms like Netflix US and Hulu from Portugal. It also has split tunneling and port forwarding, which makes it ideal for torrenting.

Although ProtonVPN may come at a higher price point, its comprehensive features and amazing performance make it great value. Live chat support is available on its website, and you can try it risk-free using its 30-day money-back guarantee.

FULLY FEATURED:ProtonVPN is perfect for techy users who want to be able to get an IP address in Portugal. Servers are available in 117+ countries. Great for watching Portuguese TV from abroad. 24/7 live chat support is available on its website. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Find out more in our ProtonVPN review.

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8. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN is able to access Portuguese TV national channels as well as international content such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.

The provider has servers in 63 countries, including Portugal, and offers unlimited bandwidth. Speeds were slower than the other VPNs we tested, and averaged at 54.43 Mbps. While this is fast enough for streaming Portuguese TV without lag or buffering on a fast connection (ours was 250 Mbps), you might want to opt for one of the other VPNs in this list if yours is much slower. 

This is one of the easier VPNs to use, thanks to easy-to-navigate apps that have a simple and advanced version of the interface.

Live chat support is offered should you need help, though it’s worth mentioning that this is not available 24/7. However, you’ll speak directly to developers rather than third-party support reps. There’s also a strong selection of security features, including a no-logs policy as well as 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection.

Apps are available for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS. When you have a PrivateVPN account, you can connect up to 10 of your devices at once. It’s also possible to use this VPN with routers, though this does require manual installation.

RELIABLE UNBLOCKING:PrivateVPN works with Portuguese TV as well as US streaming services such as Netflix and HBO. Low-cost subscriptions and easy-to-use apps. Can be used on 10 devices at once. Offers a no-logs policy and encryption. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

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Finding the best VPNs for watching Portuguese TV: Our methodology

Having tested dozens of VPN service providers with an even greater number of streaming platforms, we know what makes a good streaming VPN. Below, we outline our methodology, which helped us identify the best VPNs for watching Portuguese TV.

Network suitability

We started by checking that providers had servers in Portugal. After all, this is how you get a Portuguese IP address for watching Portuguese TV networks abroad. We then scored providers on the number of other countries they supported, as this gives you access to geo-restricted international content. Finally, we scored providers on their ability to access a variety of Portuguese TV platforms, including RTP, SIC, and TVI. We also tried unblocking popular streaming services such as Amazon Prime Video and BBC iPlayer.

The scores for the three test metrics were weighted and then combined to generate an overall score for comparison.

NordVPN scored an almost perfect 9.8. It has servers in Portugal and a further 117+ countries, and worked with every streaming platform we tried it with. ExpressVPN and Surfshark also scored notably highly.

Speed

The trouble with some VPN services is that they are far too slow for streaming. To make it easier for you to find the fastest, we ranked providers according to the results of our speed tests. These involved measuring each provider’s speed in the morning, at noon, and in the afternoon while connected to one of their servers in Portugal. Measurements were taken using the desktop version of the Ookla speed-testing app. Our test machine was rate-limited to 250 Mbps to better emulate the experience of the average user, as this is roughly the average home broadband speed in the US.

The results for each provider were averaged and then converted to overall scores out of 10.

NordVPN was the fastest VPN for Portugal, though Surfshark was a very close second. These are the best options for users who enjoy streaming in UHD or who routinely game online.

Security and privacy

At a minimum, a VPN must offer high-end encryption, a kill switch, and protection from DNS leaks. However, as the table below demonstrates, we also look for additional security features so you can browse and stream with even greater security and privacy.

If you find the above table a little confusing, the following chart combines the scores for each test metric into a more palatable format.

NordVPN and Surfshark each scored 9.5, and it’s not hard to see why. They both use effectively uncrackable encryption and RAM-only servers. They’ve had their no-logs policies independently audited multiple times and they can bypass blocks in the most restrictive of countries. ProtonVPN is a solid alternative.

Ease of use

It may be that this is your first time using a VPN. Whether this is the case or not, you’ll still want access to user-friendly apps through which you can quickly connect to a server. With this in mind, we tested providers’ apps as well as their customer support.

We scored each of the above metrics, before combining them to generate overall scores out of 10 for each provider.

NordVPN’s score of 9.6 was highest, primarily due to its user-friendly apps, the availability of task-specific servers, and a streamlined sign-up process. IPVanish and ExpressVPN are strong alternatives and great for those new to VPN software.

Value for money

We found VPNs that offer the features discussed above while remaining good value for money. You can see the various ways that they make subscription fees more wallet-friendly below.

As before, the scores for each test metric were combined to generate overall scores out of 10 for comparison.

Surfshark and IPVanish were the best-value providers overall. Both allow unlimited device connections and have low-cost two-year introductory offers. NordVPN and CyberGhost are also well worth considering.

Watching Portuguese TV abroad with a free VPN

Watching Portuguese TV abroad with a free VPN may prove challenging. Generally speaking, free VPNs have high numbers of users but offer far fewer servers and IP addresses than paid service providers. This means that you’ll likely encounter very slow speeds that result in lag and buffering while streaming. Also, you may discover that many of these IP addresses are already blacklisted by major streaming services. As such, you may not be able to use a free VPN to unblock SIC or tricky platforms such as Netflix.

Most free VPNs lack basic security standards. Indeed, some free VPNs insert malware into your device, fail to use basic encryption, and in some cases, your data is logged and sold to third parties. It’s for these reasons that we recommend avoiding free VPNs and opting for one of the reputable paid VPNs listed above.

Streaming Portuguese TV abroad: FAQs