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How to get a German IP Address with a VPN

Using a VPN is the most reliable way to get a German IP address. If you live outside of Germany you can easily access online services and websites that are usually only available to people in Germany. All you have to do is connect to a German VPN server and you can unblock restricted German websites, TV streams, and online services.

As well as giving you a German IP, we recommend using a VPN because it will give you the added privacy and security you need to unblock German services. However, there are other methods you can use in order to get a German IP address.

In this guide, we show you how to get a German IP address,  you can use any of the methods we described below - as long as you do not need watertight privacy levels. 

The best way to get a German IP address

A VPN is recognized as being the most reliable way to get a German IP address. However, there are dozens of VPNs on the market and they were not all created equally. Below, we have listed the best VPNs that have servers in Germany. For more details about each VPN, simply scroll down for in-depth summaries that will help you decide. 

  1. ExpressVPN - The best way to get a German IP. It's lightning-fast, perfect for streaming. Offers slick apps and a 30-day money-back guarantee. 
  2. TIP

    In our testing we checked that all ExpressVPN plans work for Netflix. The one year plan is the best value: three months free and a 30 day risk-free trial.

  3. NordVPN - The best buy VPN for German IPs. You get fast servers in Germany and around the world, advanced features, and watertight privacy.
  4. Private Internet Access - A secure VPN with German IPs. Offers advanced settings and features, a proven zero-logs policy – and, it's super cheap.
  5. Surfshark - Great all-around VPN with German IPs. It blocks ads and malware and you can use it on unlimited devices with one subscription.
  6. VyprVPN - A reliable VPN with German IPs. A fully audited service, and one that owns its entire server network – making it extra secure.

The best way to get a German IP address

Follow the steps below to set up a German IP address:

  1. Choose one of the VPNs in this article. For getting a German IP we highly recommend ExpressVPN.
  2. Click through to the VPN's website and subscribe.
  3. Download the VPN software and log in using your credentials.
  4. Connect to a VPN server located in Germany.
  5. Go to any German website or service that you want to access.

As soon as the VPN connects, you can use German services as if you were actually living in Germany!

Best VPNs to get German IPs - In-depth analysis

There are hundreds of VPNs on the market and they do not all provide what you need to unblock German websites and content. Below you can read summaries that explain why we picked these VPNs for getting an IP address in Germany.

Our recommendations have secure apps for all platforms and fast VPN servers suitable for streaming and doing other data-intensive tasks in privacy.

1. ExpressVPN
Editor's Choice | March 2024

ExpressVPN is the best way to get a German IP. It's reliable and has strong security features. Offers fast servers in Germany and worldwide. 

  • Pricing

    • 12 months + 3 months FREE + Backblaze backup: $6.67/mth
      49% OFF
    • 6 months: $9.99/mth
    • 1 month: $12.95/mth
  • Pros

    • Super fast - great for streaming!
    • TrustedServer tech runs in RAM only
    • Cutting-edge privacy features
    • Slick apps, perfect for beginners
    • Worldwide server network, with many servers in Germany
  • Cons

    • Only five simultaneous connections
    • Expensive, but worth every cent
    • Lacks port-forwarding
  • Available on

    • Windows
    • macOS
    • iOS
    • Android
    • Linux
  • Unblocks

    • Netflix
    • iPlayer
    • Amazon Prime
    • Hulu
  • Website

ExpressVPN Demo

ExpressVPN Demo ExpressVPN Demo


ExpressVPN is a provider based in the British Virgin Islands that is perfect for accessing German services online. This provider has custom apps for all platforms that will let you connect to servers in 104 countries worldwide, whether you want to bypass any local restrictions or access regional content in Germany. 


ExpressVPN is a no-logs service, which means it will never store any records about what you do online. Its robust OpenVPN encryption ensures your online browsing habits can never be tracked. We enjoy using ExpressVPN on all devices, and love that it is fast enough for streaming in HD.


In addition, ExpressVPN has advanced features such as a kill switch, DNS leak protection, and obfuscation. This makes it great for torrenting or for bypassing government-imposed censorship. ExpressVPN can be installed on up to 5 devices simultaneously, and this VPN has 24/7 live chat support. It is also consistently one of the fastest VPNs in the world. You can test it risk-free thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee. 


 

NordVPN is the best budget VPN that offers German IP addresses. You get advanced privacy features, consistently fast speeds, and you can choose between different affordable plans.

  • Pricing

    • 24 months + 3 months FREE: $3.69/mth
      70% OFF
    • 12 months: $4.99/mth
      59% OFF
    • 1 month: $11.99/mth
  • Pros

    • Exclusive security features, such as Onion over VPN
    • Servers worldwide, plus German IP addresses
    • Consistently fast service
    • Works with all streaming platforms
  • Cons

    • Lacks port-forwarding, not ideal for torrenters
    • Fewer server locations than ExpressVPN
    • Command-line only for Linux users
  • Available on

    • Windows
    • macOS
    • iOS
    • Android
    • Linux
  • Unblocks

    • Netflix
    • iPlayer
    • Amazon Prime
    • Hulu
  • Website

Nord Demo

Nord Demo Nord Demo


NordVPN is an excellent option for anyone looking for a secure VPN with German IP addresses. It offers super-fast servers in Germany as well as coverage across the wider world – enabling you to access nearly any online service you can think of in the blink of an eye. Plus, you’ll get a premium VPN package with advanced features and intuitive apps, but a modest price tag.


I enjoy using NordVPN's apps, which work on all platforms, and are a perfect choice for VPN beginners and tech-savvy users likewise. This provider offers both an intuitive server map, which enables you to pick a server manually, and a Quick Connect button for an automatic connection to the most optimum server for you at the moment. One of my favorite things about NordVPN is that it comes with a long list of exclusive security features – included in its basic plan, so you won’t need to spend a single extra dime on them. Privacy features like obfuscation (stealth servers), Double VPN (which directs your traffic through two different servers instead of just one), and Onion over VPN are free of extra charge too.


NordVPN consistently tops our speed charts, and its speeds impress me when I use it the service to complete demanding tasks, like streaming in HD. This is also great news for passionate gamers and torrenters, who can forget all about lag or buffering spikes. NordVPN also offers a very convenient 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can compare it head to head with the rest of the providers on this list before you decide to commit to a long-term plan.

Private Internet Access is a secure VPN with German IPs. It's a long-time Reddit favorite that provides high levels of privacy – affordably.

  • Pricing

    • 24 months + 2 months FREE: $2.19/mth
      82% OFF
    • 6 months: $7.5/mth
      38% OFF
    • 1 month: $11.95/mth
  • Pros

    • Cheaper than most similar VPNs
    • Great for privacy and security
    • Servers all over the world
  • Cons

    • Not the best VPN for beginners who need hands-on support
    • US-based company, not a very privacy-conscious country
    • Decent but not chart-topping speeds
  • Available on

    • Windows
    • macOS
    • iOS
    • Android
    • Linux
  • Unblocks

    • Netflix
    • iPlayer
    • Amazon Prime
    • Hulu
  • Website

PIA Demo

PIA Demo PIA Demo


Private Internet Access VPN is a US-based provider that keeps zero logs, a claim it has proven in court. The VPN was recently acquired by Kape Technologies - a cybersec firm based in London whose primary aim is to help consumers gain strong levels of online privacy.


PIA VPN has servers in 84 countries around the world, it provides strong OpenVPN encryption, and is one of the most popular VPN services among Reddit users. It also has live chat support and access to Netflix US. We love using this VPN to get a German IP address, because it always provides outstanding speeds.


PIA has superb apps for all popular platforms that provide strong encryption and plenty of advanced features. This makes it a great choice for people who torrent or techy users in need of added customizability. PIA is also a cheap VPN service that performs well above its pay grade, but it is better for techy users who are used to using a VPN. Try your hand at it before judging, though, as you can test PIA using its 30-day money-back guarantee.

Surfshark is an all-around VPN with German IPs. It's packed with features, including split tunneling, stealth servers, and Clean Web.

  • Pricing

    • 24 months + 2 months FREE: $2.3/mth
      83% OFF
    • 12 months: $3.99/mth
      70% OFF
    • 1 month: $12.95/mth
  • Pros

    • Gives you access to all major streaming services
    • Unlimited simultaneous connections
    • Easy-to-use apps for all platforms
  • Cons

    • One month price is not the cheapest
    • Fewer servers locations than ExpressVPN
    • Doesn't offer dedicated IPs (at the moment)
  • Available on

    • Windows
    • macOS
    • iOS
    • Android
    • Linux
  • Unblocks

    • Netflix
    • iPlayer
    • Amazon Prime
    • Hulu
  • Website

Surfshark Demo

Surfshark Demo Surfshark Demo


Surfshark VPN is based in the British Virgin Islands - an excellent location in terms of privacy. It is also a secure no-logs VPN provider with superb technical security and reliable 24/7 live chat support. It has lightning-fast servers in Germany that are perfect for getting a German IP address.


Surfshark has servers in 100 countries that can help you unblock Netflix US, BBC iPlayer, and any other services that take your fancy. We enjoy using this VPN on all platforms, and love that it lets its subscribers install the VPN on an unlimited number of devices. Plus, this VPN has the advanced privacy features you need to torrent securely if you want to.


It's an excellent all-rounder that we strongly recommend to anyone on a tight budget. You can test it yourself using its 30-day money-back guarantee.


 

5. VyprVPN

VyprVPN is a super reliable service with servers in Germany. This VPN provider owns and maintains all its servers, making it extra reliable, and it's fully audited.

  • Pricing

    • 12 months: $5/mth
      50% OFF
    • 1 month: $10/mth
  • Pros

    • Proprietary infrastructure and exclusive privacy features
    • Strong encryption protocols and policies
    • Worldwide server network
  • Cons

    • Basic plan without Chameleon (stealth feature)
    • Expensive in the long term
    • Connection time can feel slow
  • Available on

    • Windows
    • macOS
    • iOS
    • Android
    • Linux
  • Unblocks

    • Netflix
    • iPlayer
    • Amazon Prime
    • Hulu

VYPR Demo

VYPR Demo VYPR Demo


VyprVPN is a no-logs VPN based in Switzerland that implements strong OpenVPN encryption, a kill switch, DNS leak protection, and an obfuscation/stealth feature (called Chameleon). VyprVPN is a top-of-the-range premium VPN, that is the first to have published a full independent audit of its zero-logs service. It can also unblock services such as iPlayer and Netflix US.


We enjoy using this VPN on all platforms, and love that it is easy to use for getting an IP address in Germany. However, while this VPN is fast enough for streaming in HD, it is worth noting that this VPN is not quite as fast as our other recommendations. However, it permits torrenting, and it is excellent for this purpose.


Despite the slightly slower speeds, VyprVPN is a formidable service that provides excellent unblocking capabilities and high levels of security. Well worth comparing to our other recommendations using its money-back guarantee. 

CyberGhost is the cheapest VPN with German IPs on this list. It unblocks most streaming services and has great apps for all platforms.

  • Pricing

    • 24 months + 3 months FREE: $2.11/mth
      83% OFF
    • 6 months: $6.99/mth
      42% OFF
    • 1 month: $11.99/mth
  • Pros

    • Peer-to-peer (P2P) torrenting allowed
    • Massive 45-day money-back guarantee
    • Strong no-logs policy
  • Cons

    • Slower than most VPNs on this list
    • Not independently audited
    • Lacks obfuscation (stealth) tools
  • Available on

    • Windows
    • macOS
    • iOS
    • Android
    • Linux
  • Unblocks

    • Netflix
    • iPlayer
    • Amazon Prime
    • Hulu
  • Website

CyberGhost Demo

CyberGhost Demo CyberGhost Demo


CyberGhost VPN is a well-known VPN provider that does everything right. Its latest software is easy to use on all platforms, and it comes with a large range of excellent privacy and security features - including OpenVPN encryption and a kill switch. This makes it great for VPN beginners who do not want to mess around with a lot of complicated settings.


With CyberGhost VPN, you get the benefit of a no-logs policy. This means there will never be any records of what you do online. When it comes to unblocking content, CyberGhost has servers in over 100 countries . And it can easily let you unblock content in Germany thanks to a choice of German IP addresses.


We enjoy using this VPN on all platforms and are impressed that it lets users install the VPN on up to 7 devices simultaneously. We also love that this VPN has live chat support and a lengthy 45-day money-back guarantee, making it one of the best ways to get a German IP!


 

Why use a VPN to get a German IP?

A VPN is an online subscription service that is designed to give you digital privacy. When you connect to a VPN, your ISP cannot monitor what you do online and, as a result, you can access any content you like. T

Besides providing privacy, a VPN lets you pretend to be in a different country. With your VPN installed, you can unblock just about anything you can think of in any country where the VPN has a server. This includes German websites and services; which you can easily access by connecting to a German IP.

All the VPNs recommended in this article provide top-notch security and privacy, while also giving you an IP address in Germany that lets you access any geo-restricted content you desire.

While it is possible to get an IP address using a few other methods, a VPN is much more versatile and secure. Other services do not give you the wide array of location choices you get with a VPN, and they do not provide the privacy benefits of a VPN.

Can I use a free VPN to get a German IP?

Although it is true that there is some free VPN service on the market, it is important to note that the majority of those services are incredibly risky.

Studies have revealed that free services have weak encryption, critical data leaks, and concerning privacy policies that allow them to harvest and sell your data. This is the opposite of what a VPN should do, which is why it is vital to stay clear of these dodgy VPNs.

The good news is that there are some free VPNs available on the market that are completely safe. Free plans are offered by providers to advertise their service to prospective customers. 

Our recommended free plans are completely safe to use (unlike 99% of free VPNs you will find on ap stores) and they will give you limited use of a VPN without needing to pay a thing. However, please bear in mind that they will have some or all of the following restrictions:

  • Fewer server locations
  • Slow connection speeds
  • Monthly download limits
  • Potentially; no server in Germany

The limitations above are placed on free services because the provider wants you to upgrade to a paid subscription plan.

Other ways to get a German IP

A VPN is by far the most reliable way to get an IP address in Germany, and we strongly recommend that you use a VPN. However, for anybody interested in other methods, we have included a list below.

SmartDNS services 

SmartDNS is a service that allows you to pretend to be in a different country by spoofing your DNS requests.

When you connect to an online service using Smart DNS, the website is tricked into thinking the DNS is being resolved by an ISP in Germany, As a result, geo-restricted pages will load; even if you are located outside of Germany.

Although SmartDNS services are still available in 2024, it is also true that they have become much less popular. SmartDNS services often cost the same amount as a VPN, but they do not provide the privacy and security that you get with a VPN service. This makes them a waste of money.

In addition, some of our recommended VPN providers actually throw in a Smart DNS service for free! That means you can get all the benefits of a VPN - while also being able to use SmartDNS when you want to.

Proxy services

Proxies are another possible way to get an IP address in Germany. There are two kinds of proxies: website proxies and browser-based proxies. Both of these allow users to connect to a remote server, which acts as a bridge between them and the online services they visit.

By connecting to a proxy server in Germany, users get a German IP address - and they can access geo-restricted content. However, the proxy does not also provide the digital privacy you get with a VPN. This is because it does not conceal your website visits from your ISP and it does not hide your IP address from the services you use.

It is also worth noting that the rise in popularity of VPNs has made it hard to find good proxy services. Most people, nowadays, prefer to use a VPN because of the added privacy it provides.

In addition, many VPNs now provide extensions that let you connect to an HTTPS proxy in your browser. This allows you to get the full security of a VPN while also getting the benefit of location spoofing inside your browser.

Tor

Tor browser is a service that lets people gain online anonymity by routing their traffic through a chain of random nodes. Tor users can gain an IP address in Germany by setting up Tor browser to only use exit nodes in Germany.

Setting this up is not particularly tricky, but it is not the best option for most people seeking a German IP, either. Unfortunately, Tor is extremely slow, so it will not let you do data-intensive tasks such as streaming, video conferencing, and gaming.

This makes VPNs a much more reliable option for gaining an IP in Germany.

VPN into Germany - Conclusion

If you need a German IP address, a VPN is by far the best option. A VPN is fast enough to let you stream in HD, play games, download torrents, and engage in video conferencing, complete with added privacy and security that you do not get with the other methods.

Although we consider ExpressVPN the best option, all the VPNs in this guide do an excellent job of unblocking German websites. And they all provide a money-back guarantee. That means you can try our recommendations for 30 days, without risking your money.

Simply click on one of the providers below to get started:

  1. ExpressVPN - The best way to get a German IP. It's lightning-fast, perfect for streaming. Offers slick apps and a 30-day money-back guarantee. 
  2. TIP

    In our testing we checked that all ExpressVPN plans work for Netflix. The one year plan is the best value: three months free and a 30 day risk-free trial.

  3. NordVPN - The best buy VPN for German IPs. You get fast servers in Germany and around the world, advanced features, and watertight privacy.
  4. Private Internet Access - A secure VPN with German IPs. Offers advanced settings and features, a proven zero-logs policy – and, it's super cheap.
  5. Surfshark - Great all-around VPN with German IPs. It blocks ads and malware and you can use it on unlimited devices with one subscription.
  6. VyprVPN - A reliable VPN with German IPs. A fully audited service, and one that owns its entire server network – making it extra secure.

Written by: Ray Walsh

Digital privacy expert with 5 years experience testing and reviewing VPNs. He's been quoted in The Express, The Times, The Washington Post, The Register, CNET & many more. 

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