How to watch Italian TV online abroad (outside Italy) with a VPN

Are you struggling to watch your favorite Italian TV shows while on vacation? You’re not alone. Geo-restrictions often ruin the entertainment experience for travelers longing for a taste of home. But don’t worry, there’s a solution! A VPN helps you seamlessly watch Italian TV from the USA, UK, or anywhere else in the world.

In this comprehensive article, I’ll introduce you to how VPNs work to mask your location and gain access to Italian TV platforms without a hitch. VPNs also encrypt your web connection for added privacy. This allows you to watch your favorite Italian channels, like Canale 5, La5, Italia 1, TV8, and even Netflix Italia, from anywhere without the fear of prying eyes.

However, not all VPNs are of the same quality. Some fall short when unblocking geo-restricted channels, and others may not provide the speed you need for buffer-free streaming. Below, you’ll find detailed summaries of the best VPNs for watching Italian TV abroad, tested and vetted for optimal performance. But first I’ll start with a quick rundown of my top picks for those on a tight schedule.

Best VPNs for live-streaming Italian TV from the US or anywhere:

1. NordVPN: The best VPN overall for watching Italian TV abroad
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for Italian TV.
2. Surfshark: Best for users on a budget
3. Total VPN: Great choice for Italian TV
4. Proton VPN: Excellent choice for privacy-focused users
5. ExpressVPN: Best for users who want a premium VPN
6. IPVanish: Best for security and privacy
7. CyberGhost: Great choice for beginners
8. PureVPN: Good for users connecting from restrictive countries
9. PrivateVPN: Great choice for ease of use

How to stream Italian TV from anywhere with a VPN

Never used a VPN before? There’s no need to panic; they’re actually very simple. Follow this step-by-step guide, and you’ll be watching your favorite Italian TV shows from the UK, US, or anywhere in minutes.

Here’s how to unblock and watch Italian TV abroad in 5 simple steps:

1. Start by signing up for one of the VPNs below. I particularly recommend NordVPN.
2. Install the app on your device and log in. Note: most providers let you connect around five devices at once, so feel free to install the software on any device you use to stream.
3. Connect to any of your VPN’s Italian servers. This will get you an Italian IP address and allow you to access region-locked Italian services from abroad.
4. Visit your favorite streaming service. You should now be able to use it as though you were actually in Italy.
5. If not, I recommend clearing your browser’s cookies and reloading the page. If this still doesn’t work, try another Italian server or contact customer support for further assistance.

My testing criteria for the best Italian TV VPNs

There are many VPNs on the market, but they don’t all offer the same level of service. They aren’t all safe or secure and won’t all have the ability to access the services you want. I’ve taken the guesswork out of it for you by looking for VPNs that performed well in the following areas:

• Speed: There’s no point being able to access Italian TV if the VPN connection is too slow to stream it properly. To find the fastest VPNs, I tested each provider’s speeds multiple times while connected to their servers in Italy.
• Streaming access: I tested how each provider fared with multiple Italian content libraries. I tried Italy-only services such as La5 and RaiPlay as well as the more difficult to access international platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
• Value for money: Nobody wants to spend more than they need to for a VPN — particularly when they only want it for streaming Italian TV. To gauge the overall value of a particular VPN service for comparison, I evaluated each provider against eight different value-for-money metrics.
• Security and privacy: I evaluated each VPN against 16 unique security and privacy metrics to find the ones most capable of keeping you safe online.
• Ease of use: Using a VPN shouldn’t be difficult. To find which provider had the most user-friendly services, I measured them against 10 different ease-of-use metrics.

You can read more about how I tested VPNs on these metrics — and the results of these tests — in our methodology section below. But first, let’s take a closer look at the VPNs that impressed us. 

Best VPNs for Italian TV: compared

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

The Best VPNs for watching Italian TV abroad

I never recommend a VPN that I haven’t used and rigorously tested myself. The following reviews are based on my personal real-world experiences. Let’s take a closer look at the ones that most impressed. 

Here’s my list of the best VPNs for live-streaming Italian TV from anywhere:

1. NordVPN

May 2026

NordVPN is my top choice VPN for watching Italian TV. It has 60+ servers in Italy and a further 200+ locations. In my opinion, the newly-designed app makes it even easier than ever to find the appropriate server location and connect.

Once connected to a server in Italy, you’ll be able to watch geo-restricted Italian content to your heart’s content. I used it with Netflix Italia, Amazon Prime Video, Canale 5, and RaiPlay without issue.

While NordVPN does have a smart DNS feature, you can only use it to access US-based content (which is better than nothing).

NordVPN is known for providing high speeds and consistent connections. I’m pleased to say that it still lives up to its reputation. I tested the Italian servers three times and recorded an average speed of 213.34 Mbps.

So what does that mean? Well, it’s about eight times quicker than needed to stream 4K video (using an internet connection with an average speed of 246 Mbps). As such, you have nothing to worry about where performance is concerned.

I’ve found this VPN’s security offering to be one of the strongest around. Its homegrown NordLynx protocol uses AES-256 encryption and also gives users the option to protect traffic against future attacks by quantum computers.

Apps come with a customizable kill switch, automatic public Wi-Fi protection, and protection against DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks to ensure your traffic stays hidden at all times.

A split tunneling feature will let you stream Italian TV using the VPN while using other apps with a regular internet connection. Multi-hop connections are available, as is one-click access to the Tor network. The provider also has special obfuscated servers for bypassing internet firewalls as well as VPN blocks in countries like China.

NordVPN follows a strict zero-logs policy, so your activities can’t be traced back to you. This has been verified by independent auditors, which is reassuring as some VPNs have been known to exaggerate their no-logs claims.

Apps are available for Windows, iOS, MacOS, Linux, Android, Fire TV, and Apple TV. If you want to protect every device on your home network in one go, you can manually configure the VPN for use with select home routers. If you have any questions, support is available via 24/7 live chat or email.

BEST VPN FOR ITALIAN TV:NordVPN is my #1 choice for unblocking Italian TV channels from the USA, UK or anywhere. Also works with major platforms like Netflix and BBC iPlayer. This VPN offers a no-logs policy, high speeds, a wide range of security protections, and a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full NordVPN review, or check out our video review below.

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2. Surfshark

Surfshark has more than 3,200 servers spread across over 100 countries. This includes Italy, where it has servers in Milan and Rome. Users can scroll through the location list to find a particular server, or use the search bar at the top of the dashboard.

The provider has a good reputation for unblocking streaming services and it’s easy to see why. During testing, I was able to access a range of Italian content from the likes of Sky Go Italia, Mediaset Infinity, and Disney+. National providers like RaiPlay and Cielo were also easily accessible.

To me, one of the biggest things that sets Surfshark apart from the competition is that it lets users connect as many devices as they like. This means you can stream Italian TV from all your devices simultaneously.

Surfshark also stands out for having static IP addresses available. These give you the same IP address between sessions, though there aren’t currently any available in Italy.

If you resent having to give out your personal details when signing up for online services, then Surfshark has the answer. Its ID generating tool creates complete personas you can use that include a name, address and date of birth. You can also create a proxy email address that forwards messages to your main address.

Surfshark plans start at the equivalent of $2.19 a month. But don’t be fooled by its low price point – Surfshark actually managed to outperform every other VPN I tested, including some that are quite a bit more expensive.

Following three tests at different times of day, it averaged 223.09 Mbps. More impressive still, there was only around seven Mbps of difference between its lowest and highest results.

This means you can count on getting a fast connection no matter when you use the service or how many other people are on the same Italian server.

This VPN puts major emphasis on the user’s security. There’s 256-bit encryption, for starters, as well as DNS and IPv6 leak protection, a kill switch, and a built-in malware scanner.

Surfshark even has a NoBorders mode that lets you access the internet freely in countries like China. This service doesn’t keep any identifiable data and can’t reveal details of your activities even if asked to.

Apps are available for iOS, Android, MacOS, Windows, Linux, Fire TV, and Apple TV. Select wireless routers are supported via manual installation. If you need help, you can contact support 24/7 over live chat and email.

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark is a low-cost VPN that doesn’t limit the number of connections you can have, so it’s perfect for families. It also comes with a suite of security and privacy features, strong speeds, real streaming potential, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Surfshark review, or check out our video review below.

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3. Total VPN

Total VPN has servers in Milan and Rome that work great for accessing Italian TV. In my experience, this provider also works well with international services including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney Plus.

In addition to Italy, the provider has servers in a further 90+ countries. These include countries not typically offered by VPN providers, such as China and Russia. Establishing a connection is easy — just click any of the locations on the app’s dashboard and Total VPN will do the rest.

Users’ traffic is protected using strong 256-bit AES encryption. The provider also has built-in leak protection, a kill switch, and a choice of connection protocols. The default WireGuard is your best bet for watching Italian TV, though HYDRA is useful if you’re connecting from a restrictive country.

To find out how fast Total VPN was, I carried out three speed tests while connected to its servers in Italy.

I’m pleased to report that TotalVPN performed admirably, with speeds of between 198.34 Mbps and 210.63 Mbps. Its overall average of 203.68 Mbps makes it suitable for just about anything, whether that’s streaming in 4K or multiplayer gaming.

Prices are affordable, with a one-year subscription costing the equivalent of $1.59 a month. Better still, plans include Total AdBlock ad-blocking software and TotalAV antivirus software.

SECURE CONNECTIONS:Total VPN apps use 256-bit AES encryption and are easy to use. They work with Italian TV as well as big-name streaming services. Speeds are fast and servers are available in 90+ countries. Plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Total VPN review.

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4. Proton VPN

Proton VPN is best-know for its free plan, which it offers due to its strong belief in privacy as a fundamental human right. While this is commendable, I’ve found that the free plan is unfortunately no good for streaming. It’s not very fast, and it doesn’t let users choose which country they connect to.

The paid plan, however, gives you access to a vast network of almost 20,000 servers in 145 countries. Users can connect straight to Italy by selecting it from the map on the app’s dashboard.

Alternatively, you can use the drop-down menu in the country list to choose between any of the servers in Milan or Palermo.

All of Proton VPN’s Italy servers are suitable for streaming. While connected I was able to access all manner of platforms, from Rai to Netflix Italia. If one server didn’t work, I simply tried another.

To find out what kids of speeds users might expect while connected, I tested Proton VPN’s Italian servers. The good news is that they delivered an average speed of 192.99 Mbps, putting them head and shoulders above most of the other providers on the market.

Now, does this make it the quickest VPN I tested? No, but it demonstrably provided speeds fast enough for watching 4K video with no buffering or lag whatsoever.

When it comes to security, Proton VPN is one of the best. It all but guarantees your privacy with uncrackable encryption, automatic malware and tracker-blocking, and DNS and IPv6 leak protection, as well as a kill switch.

Other features include split tunneling for apps and domains; a choice of connection protocols; and a stealth mode that obfuscates traffic so that it can evade detection. Proton VPN is one of the few providers that allows port forwarding, which will appeal if you’re a frequent torrenter.

Importantly, the service has an independently-verified no-logs policy, so even it doesn’t know what you get up to online. If you’d like a little more anonymity, you can pay anonymously (via cash or Bitcoin) or connect to one of the Secure Core servers – these are effectively multi-hop servers that are kept in high-security data centers so that nobody can access them without proper authorization.

Proton VPN has its own Android, iOS, MacOS, Linux, Windows, Apple TV, and Fire TV apps. Alternatively, it can be manually installed on most routers. There are guides on the VPN’s website explaining exactly how to do it, though it’s not for the faint-hearted.

WATCH AD-FREE:Proton VPN makes it easy to stream Italian TV while traveling abroad. It’s privacy-focused and even blocks ads for you, improving your viewing experience whilst keeping you safe. What’s more, this service includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Proton VPN review.

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5. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN has a network of over 3,000 servers in 105+ countries. In Italy, users can choose between servers in Naples, Cosenza and Milan. For me, connections were incredibly quick to establish, partially thanks to ExpressVPN’s homegrown connection protocol — Lightway.

If you’d rather stick with open-source protocols, OpenVPN is also available. Otherwise, you can let ExpressVPN do the choosing for you.

ExpressVPN has a great reputation for streaming and this was evident throughout my testing. All of the Italy-based content I tried worked first time, including traditionally stubborn platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, as well as Italy-based services like RaiPlay and TV8.

Like some other providers in this list, ExpressVPN has a smart DNS service for devices that don’t natively support VPN software. This can only be used to access UK and US-based content only.

In my tests, ExpressVPN achieved an average speed of 170.38 Mbps – impressive, though it’s not the fastest we’ve seen. What is exceptional is the sheer consistency of this service. There was only around 4 Mbps of variance across multiple speed tests. Given testing was carried out 1,000 miles away from Italy, that really says a lot. Check out ExpressVPN’s full-speed test results below to see how it fared at different times of day:

ExpressVPN has a solid reputation for security. Split tunneling is available, and there are options for blocking ads, trackers, adult sites and malicious sites. The provider keeps your activities hidden using a kill switch, 256-bit AES or ChaCha20 encryption, and WebRTC, IPv6, and DNS leak protection.

Equally importantly, ExpressVPN doesn’t log any personally identifiable data, which means you’re effectively untraceable once connected. Users can even pay in Bitcoin for an extra layer of anonymity.

ExpressVPN provides apps for MacOS, Windows, Android, iOS, Linux, Apple TV, and Fire TV. Users are permitted 10—14 simultaneous connections. However, there’s also custom firmware for routers that makes it fairly straightforward to configure a router VPN connection to protect all of your devices at once.

STRONG ALL ROUNDER:ExpressVPN has fast, reliable connections, excellent security and privacy credentials, plus the ability to access all kinds of Italian streaming services from abroad securely. Still not convinced? It even includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full ExpressVPN review, or check out the video review below.

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6. IPVanish

IPVanish has over 3,200 servers across 150+ locations. You can easily see where these are available using the map on the app’s dashboard. Once connected, IPVanish provides a real-time graphical representation of the amount of data being transferred.

In Italy, the provider has two dozen servers in Milan. What I particularly like about its app is that there’s the option to choose the fastest server based on ping times and load listed next to each.

Once connected, you’ll be able to stream a variety of platforms based in Italy. During testing I had no issues streaming everything from Netflix and Amazon Prime Video through to La 5 and RaiPlay.

Users can choose between three connection protocols, and make use of the split tunneling feature if they want to stream Italian TV while using other apps with a regular internet connection.

This provider has increased in popularity over the last few years thanks to a renewed focus on improving its streaming ability and overall speed. So how quick is it? Following a full day of testing, I recorded an average speed of 203.6 Mbps (just a fraction below Total VPN’s average).

IPVanish also boasts that its servers can handle 25 Gbps of traffic at once, which might help explain why its results were so stable, regardless of the time I tried them.

IPVanish is a zero-logs provider and has had third-party audits to prove it. It secures user-generated traffic with 256-bit AES encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch.

There’s also the option to block local connections and scramble your data to help you access networks or services that usually block VPN users outright. Note that the scramble feature won’t work if you’re connecting from China.

IPVanish offers apps for MacOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Fire TV, and Apple TV devices. It can be manually configured for use with Linux systems and select network routers. Instructions are available on the IPVanish website.

Basic plans start at the equivalent of $2.19 a month. However, if you spend just over a dollar a month more, you get access to a secure browser and 1TB of cloud storage as part of the Advanced package.

FAST AND RELIABLE:IPVanish allows you to safely watch all of your favorite Italian shows from anywhere, thanks to its high speeds and powerful security features. Additionally, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full IPVanish review, or check out our video review below.

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7. CyberGhost

CyberGhost has a huge network, with servers spread across 100+ countries. In Italy alone it has approximately 180 servers in Milan and Rome. While it’s perfectly possible to use these for streaming, I like that it makes things easy by providing a list of servers that it already knows work with particular platforms.

I tested CyberGhost’s Italy Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney Plus streaming servers and all worked without fail. I was able to stream Canale 5, La5 and TV8 with the provider’s regular Italy servers.

CyberGhost delivers decent speeds, whether you use its servers in Milan or Rome (though you’ll usually get a quicker connection if you use whichever is closest). In my tests, it averaged 179.31 Mbps — which is quick enough for streaming 4K videos, torrenting, or hosting games.

CyberGhost has a solid range of security features. These include 256-bit encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, an ad-blocker, a malware scanner, and a kill switch that stops sending data the moment your connection to the VPN drops.

Other features include split tunneling; a choice of three VPN protocols; and the option to link apps to specific servers, so that the app automatically connects when launched. This is particularly useful for Italian streaming apps that you only want routed through a VPN tunnel.

CyberGhost doesn’t store any data that could be used to identify you. While this service is very user-friendly, you can still reach customer support over live chat, 24 hours per day, in case of any problems.

The provider has powerful yet easy-to-use apps for Windows, Android, MacOS, iOS, Linux, and Amazon Fire TV. In my opinion, it’s a great option for those with no previous VPN experience, thanks to it’s user-friendly dashboard and an overall light-hearted company ethos.

CyberGhost subscriptions are keenly priced, with a two-year plan costing the equivalent of $2.03 a month. For an additional fee, you can add a dedicated IP address or antivirus software.

300+ ITALIAN SERVERS:CyberGhost is ideal for anyone who wants to stream with minimal fuss. It’s fast, very user-friendly, and able to access some of the most popular services outside of Italy. Further, a generous 45-day money-back guarantee is included.

Read our full CyberGhost review.

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8. PureVPN

PureVPN has approximately 6,000 servers in 65+ countries, including Italy. As someone who likes to stream using my VPN, I appreciate it has a list of servers that work with particular streaming platforms (and even open the websites of said platforms when you connect to them).

There are several Italy-based platforms in the list, including RaiPlay, Disney Plus IT, and Netflix IT. These all worked as expected. I also had success accessing platforms such as Italia 1 and La5 using PureVPN’s regular servers.

If you want to stream Italian TV whilst at the same time using other apps with a normal internet connection, you can make use of PureVPN’s split tunneling feature. This is also useful if you do a lot of torrenting and want to ensure your torrent client is always protected.

In my tests, PureVPN provided speeds of between 153.88 Mbps and 167.66 Mbps. I found these to be more than enough to handle data-intensive tasks like live streaming or downloading large files.

Overall, this VPN produced an average speed of 160.2 Mbps. That’s pretty impressive, given how low the price is — though there’s always room for improvement.

Let’s talk about security. PureVPN supports multiple industry-approved protocols, prevents IPv6 and DNS leaks, and uses encryption that is currently considered uncrackable.

Further, it’ll automatically obfuscate your traffic if it detects you’re in a country with repressive online censorship. PureVPN has been audited multiple times by independent experts, proving it’s telling the truth when it says it doesn’t keep logs.

PureVPN allows up to 10 simultaneous device connections and has apps available for MacOS, iOS, Windows, Linux, and Android. If you’d prefer to secure a whole network, you can manually install it on a wide range of routers. Detailed configuration instructions are available from the PureVPN website.

The provider is very affordable, with plans starting from $2.15 a month. If you want to test drive the service, you can take advantage of its 31-day money-back guarantee.

SPEEDY AND SECURE:PureVPN is perfect for people who’ve never used a VPN before. It’s quick, extremely versatile, and great for streaming. Works effortlessly with all of your favorite streaming sites and comes with a 31-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full PureVPN review.

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9. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN doesn’t have the largest network, with only around 200 servers in 63 countries. It does, however, work great with geo-restricted Italian content. Using its server in Milan I managed to access not only DMAX and La 5, but also major international platforms like Netflix Italy and BBC iPlayer.

PrivateVPN has never been known for its ultra-high speeds, but it does provide a solid level of performance that will allow you to stream Italian TV with no complaints.

I tested it three times and noted an average speed of 93.63 Mbps. This is roughly enough to stream 10 4K videos simultaneously, so there won’t be any problems when live streaming standard 1080p content. To its credit, there was less than 5 Mbps of variance across my testing.

The provider comes with a wide range of security features too. These include a customizable kill switch, 256-bit encryption, and DNS and IPv6 leak protection.

Its stealth mode is capable of bypassing even the strictest VPN blocking measures. It works in China, and it can help if you’re faced with a particularly stubborn streaming platform.

The provider also has static IP addresses available for users who need the same IP address between sessions. Users can choose between servers in 15 countries — one of which is Italy.

PrivateVPN doesn’t keep any logs at all, so your privacy is in good hands. Staff can be contacted over live chat for 22 hours every day, and support is also available over email. I particularly like that the support staff know their product and are able to provide remote control access to users who are really stuck.

Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS. These are made easier to use by having two versions of the app’s dashboard: one simple and one advanced. The simple view consists of little more than a big ‘connect’ button and an option to change server locations.

The advanced view, however, lets you choose between connection protocols and adjust the level of encryption used on their traffic. It also shows how much data has been uploaded and downloaded while connected.

Subscriptions are fairly priced, with a three-year introductory deal that’s longer and cheaper than most ($2 a month). All you need to sign up is an email address and a valid payment method — this includes cryptocurrency.

PERFECT FOR STREAMING:PrivateVPN provides decent speeds and is also able to access many Italian streaming platforms securely. This, coupled with its strong security focus and no-logging policy, makes it a great choice for anyone looking to stream safely abroad. Plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

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Why do you need a VPN to watch Italian TV abroad?

Italian TV is often geo-restricted due to licensing and distribution agreements (it’s typically cheaper for broadcasters to acquire rights for a single country rather than multiple regions). Streaming platforms can detect a user’s location — usually through their IP address — and will block access for anyone connecting from outside Italy.

To get round this, you can connect to a VPN server in Italy. This will give you the Italian IP address you need to satisfy the streaming platforms’ location requirements and gain access to Italian TV.

Unblocking Italian TV abroad with a free VPN

Although it’s tempting to try and watch Italian TV abroad with a free VPN, and a quick search will turn up plenty of them, I don’t recommend it. They’re a particularly poor choice for anyone looking to stream because, despite their huge number of users, these services usually only have a handful of servers. This causes very slow speeds, which means your video will almost certainly lag, buffer for long periods of time, or simply refuse to play. There’s also no guarantee that your chosen VPN will have an Italian server (or that it hasn’t already been blacklisted by major streaming sites).

Some free VPNs have also been found to collect users’ data to sell to third parties, while others failed to use any encryption, completely defeating the purpose of using a VPN in the first place.

To stay as safe as possible when streaming, it’s best to use a reputable, paid VPN with strong security features and a clearly-worded, user-first privacy policy. However, if you’re dead set on watching Italian TV abroad for free, here are some tips on how to do so safely.

How to watch Italian TV abroad with a free VPN:

• Opt for a VPN that offers a free trial. These range from 1 – 7 days, which could be enough if you just want to catch a couple of shows.
• Make the most of the money-back guarantees of the providers I’ve covered. They last 30—45 days, so that should be enough to cover you for a vacation or short work trip. Unlike free trials, you do have to pay upfront but can at least rest assured that if you’re not 100% happy with the service, you can claim a full refund. Check out this step-by-step guide to claiming a full refund from NordVPN to see how simple it is.

Watching Italian TV abroad: FAQs