How To Watch Netflix In Europe & Change Your IP Address
Updated: March 31, 2013 – Yes this method still works for accessing Netflix in Europe!
Note: The program I use to access the American version of Netflix while in Europe & abroad is called Hidemyass VPN. If you have any questions about using the program, please leave me a comment after the post. Enjoy!
Let me start by telling you a quick story…
I moved to Budapest, Hungary in October of 2011 and I couldn’t have been more excited.
I was fresh out of college and ready for an adventure.
The move was smooth and the transition was going well.
There was only one problem…
I couldn’t figure out how to watch Netflix in Europe or how to gain access to American websites like Pandora, Hulu, Fox, CBS, ABC, Spotify, and many others.
I quickly realized that my new European address wouldn’t grant me access to all of these US based content sites.
To gain access to Netflix and the rest of these US only websites, I knew I needed a way to change my IP address to an American address.
I tried a bunch of programs and proxy sites that just didn’t work.
After a lot of searching, I finally found an easy way to watch Netflix in Europe!
So, without further delay, here you go…
How To Change Your IP Address and Get Access To US Only Content Abroad
Here’s the Deal
When you go to Netflix.com, your IP address is being checked by netflix to see where you are located. If you go to netflix from a computer thats connected through a standard European IP address, Netflix will display a message that says “Service is not currently available in your area.”
Simply put, if your computer shows an IP address outside of the US you will be blocked from accessing content on Netflix.com.
To fix this you need to change the IP on your computer to show an IP address that is located in the US. That’s it!
It may sound complicated but don’t worry – it’s super easy to do this even if you’re not a “computer person.”
How To Get An American IP Address For Netflix
To change your IP address you need to have a VPN setup up (this stands for Virtual Personal Network). If you don’t know what a VPN is, don’t worry – it may sound complicated but it’s a lot easier to understand and setup than you may think. No joke, my 12 year old sister could do it.
A VPN is essentially a private network you connect to through your current internet connection. Basically your computer establishes a connection to a remote server in a new location like New York City, Washington D.C., or Los Angeles, California for example. Once you’ve established a connection to this remote server, your able to surf the web as if you were actually in New York, DC, LA or wherever that remote server may be. Not too bad, right?
The speed of the server you connect to is important as well because you are going to be streaming video from Netflix.
I’ve tried a lot of VPN providers and even web proxy services. A lot of them suck and a couple of them are okay! In my opinion, the best VPN provider with the best netflix streaming quality is called Hidemyass VPN. Instant streaming works like a charm and I’ve never had a problem with support or installation.
Installation is supported for PC (windows), MAC, and LINUX operating systems. You can even use it on Android and iOS devices like your mobile phone or tablet. Hide My Ass also provides with you easy to follow step-by-step instructions after signing up.
It’s a really quick download (under 2-5 minutes) and super easy to start using (should take you less than 2 minutes).
If you’d like to know more about Hidemyass and why I think it is the best VPN option around, you can read this post.
Here is what Hidemyass looks like after installation on my Macbook.
You’ll also have access to tens of thousands of IP Addresses so you can make your computer look like its in Las Vegas, Manhattan, or any other city for that matter. You can also choose from IP addresses located in countries all over the world.
One of the reasons I love Hidemyass is because they have over 350 VPN servers located in 53 different countries. They also have over 42,000 IP addresses you can use and they’re always adding new servers and IP addresses for you to connect to.
Once you’ve entered your username and and password and selected your new location, all you need to do is click the “connect” button and your IP will show up like you are in the US and netflix, along with other US based websites, will work perfectly.
No US Credit Card?
No problem! After you’ve connected to the VPN you’ll need to go ahead and sign up for netflix. If you do not have a US credit card its really no problem. Just make sure you input a US zip code during signing like – (90210 or 14221) and signup will be a breeze.
Let me know if you have questions in the comment section below.
Enjoy!
I’ve never tried Hidemyass – is it a free or paid service?
HideMyAss is a paid service. It starts at only $6.55 per month when you pay for the year in advanced but it’s also only $11.52 per month if you want to pay on a monthly basis. Well worth the price if you ask me
If I am in Costa Rica, How Can I watch Netflix Full Version Catalogue?
Hidemyass will work. Trust me
Even so, Roku’s don’t permit apps to run in the background, so firing up Netflix would kill your VPN (virtual private network.) It is entirely possible that some broadband routers may be able to work with VPN services, especially DD-WRT and the like, thus rendering this to be a perfectly valid option, even with Roku’s.
-Jon
Good point Jon – if your using Roku, you’re going to need a router that works with VPN services.
Will it work on Wireless?
I can watch netflix in Europe on m’y iPad using HMA.
However, i cannot watch it on my TV using Apple TV2 (AirPlay).
Any suggestion?
Thanks
To watch it on your TV using Apple TV2 you’ll need a special router. Here’s a page that should help you http://hidemyass.com/vpn/software/routers/
Let me know if you have another other questions. Cheers
Hi-
I have connect to my company’s US address using our VPN, however I believe my internet browsing is still done using my local VPN. Is there a way to use the normal VPN of a US IP address and route all internet traffic through that without paying for a service?
I have a mac…
Hi Whitney – your best bet is to use a service like HideMyAss. You can check it out here http://jordanfried.com/recommends/hidemyass
HideMyAss will change your computers IP address to a US based IP address which will allow you to surf the web as if you were in America. It’s quite powerful and helpful if you’re abroad a lot or if you’re an expat. I’m not familiar with other ways to change IP without paying for a service. For that reason I tried a few and HMA was the best (price and quality of internet speed) for me. I hope this answers your question.
Jordan, I took your advice and purchased a one month subscription to HMA. However I am having a hard time with the server IP from the PPTP page inside the control panel. I cannot find the server IP. Please help. I am using an iPad 1. I hope you can help:) Christine
Hi Christine – this page should help! http://vpn.hidemyass.com/vpncontrol/pptp/apple.html
Hello and thank you. I’ve signed to a VPN service and that should work, but when I try to pay Netflix with my PayPal account if refuses and says it’s not accepting PayPal accounts from outside US …
Try with a credit card – it will work!
I don’t like to pay such things with my credit-card, but Netflix seem to be trustworthy and therefore I tried with my credit-card and … what a surprise … it worked with the US post zip …
)
Thank you so much … !
You are welcome! enjoy netflix!
How does the set-up for IOS devices work?
First you’ll need to sign up for a Hidemyass account. You can do that here. Then you can follow these quick instructions http://vpn.hidemyass.com/vpncontrol/pptp/apple.html Works like a charm. I watch on my ipad / iphone all the time!
How can I use it for my kindle?
First you’ll need to signup for Hidemyass here and then you can follow this quick guide http://wiki.hidemyass.com/Kindle_Fire – Enjoy!
Thanks for the tip! Unfortunately, once I reach Netflix via Hide My Ass, it tells me I must enable cookies, even though they already are. Is this probably because I’m using the free version of HMA, or might something else be going on?
Yes the free version of hidemyass / the proxy tool will not work. You’ll actually have to sign up for a Hidemyass subscription (it’s only 6.55 per month if you signup for a full year). Once you’ve signed up you’ll be able to view Netflix! Enjoy!
Got it. Thanks!
No problem! I’m here to help
Hej, i just read yr blog. My question is, how can I buy a movie from the “American” Netflix here in Europe. Because when I want to, it says that with my account I can only buy here in Europe
Thank you for yr answer
Hi Viviana – You cannot “buy movies” from Europe but you can buy a subscription which will allow you to stream unlimited movies from the American Netflix Library. You need to first signup for Hidemyass Pro VPN. Once you install the software (it should only take 2 minutes) you can login to your Netflix account, select and American hidemyass server (any server with an American flag next to it) and you will be able to watch movies from the American Netflix.
Tried Netflix with a mexican credit card using a US Zip Code and it did not work
Any suggestions?
What was the error you got? Netflix recently launched in Mexico. If you signup for normal service using your Mexican address and information, you will gain access the the Mexican version of Netflix. You can then use Hidemyass VPN to change your IP address to an American IP which will, by default, give you access the the full US netflix library. Leave me a reply and let me know how this works for you. I know many people in Mexico who have this same setup working right now.
I live in Mexico and Germany and I wish to Access the US versión Netflix in both countries. If I sign up with hidemyass, am I able to use a US IP on my computer in Mexico AND my computer in Germany or must I sign up and pay for two separate accounts?
Doug, great question! You just need one account. I share an account with my girlfriend and we’ve both used the account on many different computers and in many different locations. No need to signup for more than one Hidemyass account. With Hidemyass, you’ll also be able to access the US version of Netflix from anywhere in the world, including Mexico and Germany! Enjoy.
Hello and Thanks:
Can I make Netflix work in Europe on a Kindle HD using the HMA method?
Yes you can – this guide will help you get HMA working on your Kindle HD in Europe. http://wiki.hidemyass.com/Tutorials:FeatVPN_OpenVPN_on_Android
Cheers,
Jordan
I have an iPad and I guess I need to first download a tuntap driver in order to install the hidemyass program? Safari won’t let me download it. Now what. Clearly, I don’t fall into “your 12 year old sister” category. I just paid for this and I am in Europe now and would love to use it. Thanks for your help.
If you plan on using Hidemyass on your iPad you do not need to install anything. This guide shows you how to setup the VPN connection on your iOS device. http://vpn.hidemyass.com/vpncontrol/pptp/apple.html
Cheers,
Jordan