How to Get a Netherlands IP Address With a VPN in 2024
If you need to access Dutch websites and services from another country or simply increase your privacy, this article will show you how. Keep reading for step-by-step instructions on how to get a Netherlands IP address using ExpressVPN or one of our top alternative VPNs.
Written by David Borgogni (Writer)
Reviewed by Samuel Chapman (Editor)
Facts checked by Jasna Mishevska (Lead Fact-Checking Editor)
Last Updated: 2024-03-08T12:10:42+00:00
All our content is written fully by humans; we do not publish AI writing. Learn more here.
Key Takeaways: Using a VPN to Get a Netherlands IP
- Download and install the VPN app, like ExpressVPN.
- Open the “server location” menu.
- Find and connect to the Netherlands server.
Facts & Expert Analysis
- Enjoy region-specific content: Once connected to a VPN’s Netherlands server, you can access Dutch websites and services, ensuring privacy and bypassing geo-restrictions.
- VPN vs proxy: Both services can get you a new IP address abroad, but we suggest using a VPN because it encrypts your connection, making it safer.
- Free Netherlands IP address: If you need a free way to get a Dutch IP address, the Netherlands servers are included in Proton VPN’s free plan — but this plan automatically connects you to the “best” server, instead of the server of your choice.
There are several legitimate reasons why you may want to learn how to get a Netherlands IP address. Perhaps you’re a Dutch national who needs to access local bank accounts while traveling abroad, or you’re concerned about maintaining privacy in the country with the highest wiretapping rates in Europe.1
Of course, it could also simply be that you’re a Europhile eager to unblock region-specific content and online services. Whatever the reason, this guide will show you how to do that in just a few easy steps. You can get a Dutch IP address with nothing more than a top VPN provider and a few minutes of your time.
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04/16/2023
Rewrote the guide; replaced one VPN provider, added a tutorial section and expanded on the dangers of using a Dutch IP address.
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11/14/2023
Updated the article to reflect ExpressVPN’s recent increase of 5 simultaneous connections to 8.
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02/21/2024 Facts checked
Rewrote this guide and updated the list of recommended VPNs for getting a Netherlands IP address.
How to Get a Dutch IP Address in 3 Easy Steps
By far the safest and simplest method of obtaining a Dutch IP address is to use a VPN (virtual private network), which allows you to encrypt your online connection by routing through a secure VPN server in the Netherlands. Your internet service provider (ISP) won’t be able to see what you’re doing online, and the Dutch government won’t be able to connect you to your activity because of the masked IP.
Though there’s a whole host of excellent VPN services out there, we’ll be using ExpressVPN for our examples. It’s not only one of the most beginner-friendly VPNs on the block but also boasts solid internet traffic performance speeds, unlimited bandwidth and the ability to successfully unblock Dutch streaming services.
- Download and Install the VPN App
First, you need to download and run your preferred VPN. On a smart device, this is as simple as tapping the “get” button on Apple or the “install” button on Android. On a desktop, you’ll be prompted to download the file once you’ve finished setting up your account.
- Open the “Server Location” Menu
After signing in to your account, you’re ready to get your Netherlands IP address. First, click on the “smart location” menu to access the list of possible VPN server locations.
- Find the Netherlands Server
Find “Netherlands” in the menu, then tap on the arrow to access the three Netherlands servers. Click on the server you want to use, and you’ll see that you’re fully connected to a local IP address in the Netherlands.
The Best VPNs for Getting a Netherlands IP Address
We’ve analyzed and evaluated scores of VPN providers to present our top recommendations for connecting to a Dutch server. Though the tools on this list all contain similar features, each one offers something unique.
1. ExpressVPN
Pros:
- Good streaming speeds
- Unlocks all streaming apps
- Includes ad blockers & password manager
Cons:
- Expensive plans
ExpressVPN proves that you don’t need a great deal of technical know-how to protect your privacy and access foreign content or websites through an alternative IP address. The combination of a simple user interface, industry-standard security procedures and effective content-unblocking capabilities makes this our go-to VPN.
See our ExpressVPN review to learn more. You can also test it out, as it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans that you can use to try ExpressVPN.
- Netherlands server coverage: ExpressVPN boasts an expansive network of more than 3,000 servers across 105 countries, including multiple Netherlands servers in prime locations such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague.
- Speed performance: We tested ExpressVPN on a baseline connection of 100 Mbps. Download speeds dropped just 8% and upload speeds held steady at 9 Mbps. It’s no wonder that ExpressVPN consistently ranks among the fastest VPNs on the market, delivering exceptional speeds for streaming, downloading and gaming.
- Security and privacy: Along with its solid anti-tracking and anti-malware tools, ExpressVPN uses the OpenVPN, IKEv2 and Lightway protocols with AES-256 encryption to keep your online activity encrypted and anonymous. ExpressVPN also offers a kill switch and DNS leak protection, which may be crucial for accessing the web in a country as notorious for wiretapping as the Netherlands.
- Content unblocking ability: ExpressVPN bypasses geo-restrictions and unblocks popular services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and BBC iPlayer.
- Unlimited GB
- 8
- Yes
2. NordVPN
Pros:
- Very fastest speeds
- Cost-effective plans
- Extensive security features
Cons:
- Not very beginner-friendly
- No split tunneling on macOS
What NordVPN lacks in user-friendliness it more than makes up for with its unbeatable download speeds and cost-effective long-term plans. For example, NordVPN’s basic 24-month plan costs $83.43, making it an affordable alternative to ExpressVPN for those committing to using Netherlands IP addresses for the long haul.
- Netherlands server coverage: With 6,000 global servers in 83 locations across more than 60 countries, it’s a little disappointing to find that the app offers only one Dutch location, in Amsterdam.
- Speed performance: NordVPN passed our download speed test with flying colors, with only a 6% drop in speed. This proved faster than any other tool we tested. That’s not too surprising, considering the platform uses the proprietary NordLynx protocol to ensure optimum performance and stability even during intensive tasks like streaming or gaming.
- Security and privacy: As well as the aforementioned NordLynx, NordVPN also employs the OpenVPN and IKEv2 protocols, which are fully encrypted with the AES-256 cipher. We tested NordVPN for DNS leaks and other vulnerabilities and it passed each test with flying colors. It also comes with advanced security features, which you can read more about in our detailed NordVPN review.
- Content unblocking ability: Ranking high on our list of the best VPNs for streaming, NordVPN does a great job at accessing Dutch streaming services. It not only gets around geoblocks with ease but also provides a reliable connection so you can stream Dutch TV lag-free no matter where you are in the world.
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 6
- Yes
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 6
- Yes
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 6
- Yes
3. Proton VPN
Pros:
- Free plan has unlimited data
- Very secure VPN
- Easy to use
Cons:
- Free plan auto-connects to “best” server
- Customer support is lacking
Proton VPN is one of the few free services to offer secure access to a Netherlands IP address. Unfortunately, your exact server location is chosen at random and you can only change it if you upgrade Proton VPN to one of the premium plans.
That said, if you’re looking for a way to watch Netflix Netherlands or access restricted websites without handing over your credit card, it’s certainly a solid option. You can read more in our Proton VPN review.
- Netherlands server coverage: Proton VPN boasts more than 3,000 servers in more than 70 countries, with more than 100 of those based in Amsterdam. Though this is the only Netherlands location available, you do have access to more Dutch servers than with any other VPN tool.
- Speed performance: When we tested the service for our Proton VPN review, it produced top download speeds of 19.96 Mbps, and the fastest download speed we produced was 5.94 Mbps. It’s not nearly as fast as other VPN providers featured in this guide, which may knock it out of the running if you use a VPN to stream media content.
- Security and privacy: Proton VPN uses OpenVPN, WireGuard and IKEv2 protocols with AES-256 and ChaCha20 to maximize security and protect your anonymity.
- Content unblocking ability: Proton VPN does a good job of unlocking many popular streaming platforms like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+ and Hulu. However, with ExpressVPN and NordVPN offering significantly faster speeds, the only reason to choose Proton VPN over either of those is to try to access Dutch content for free.
- Unlimited GB
- 1
- Yes
- Unlimited GB
- 5
- Yes
Can I Use a Free VPN to Get a Netherlands IP Address?
Though it’s technically possible to use free VPNs to get a Netherlands IP address, the truth is that the majority of these free VPN services lack the reliability and security of their premium counterparts. Many simply lack the infrastructure to support the large number of people using them, resulting in an unstable VPN connection.
What’s more, it’s not uncommon for free VPN providers to struggle with maintaining optimum security, meaning there’s always a risk of a breach. If free VPNs really are your only option right now, we recommend using a trustworthy option like the Proton VPN app or TunnelBear, both of which top our list of the best free VPNs.
How to Choose the Best VPN for Getting a Dutch IP Address
Below, we’ll outline the four key factors we looked for when ranking the three VPN options above.
- 1. Dutch Server Coverage: At a bare minimum, you’ll need a VPN service that offers access to Dutch servers. Top providers like Proton VPN list all their server locations on their websites, so you can confirm that you’ll be able to get a local IP address in your chosen region.
Ideally, find a tool that offers multiple server locations strategically placed throughout the Netherlands. That way, you ensure that you’re getting a reliable VPN connection with the best possible speeds. - 2. Speed Performance: Slow speeds can be frustrating when you’re streaming video content, playing video games or trying to download large files. With that in mind, look for VPNs that provide consistently fast speeds and low latency.
- 3. Security and Privacy: Online privacy is the reason virtual private networks exist in the first place, so it’s paramount that your chosen provider offer the best security features. Advanced features like OpenVPN and IKEv2 protocols, AES-256 encryption algorithms and a strict no-logs policy should be standard. Features like a kill switch and malware protection help keep you safe.
Still, it’s important to look beyond the features themselves. Look for independent sources, such as news articles, highlighting past security breaches or third-party audit reports verifying its practices. These sources typically offer a more objective and trustworthy picture of a VPN provider’s commitment to online safety. - 4. Content Unblocking: Many people want to get a Netherlands IP address to access Dutch content on popular streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu and Disney+. If you’re one of them, consider how effective each VPN is at bypassing geo-restrictions on each streaming service you want to access.
Final Thoughts
We hope this guide taught you everything you wanted to know about how to get a Netherlands IP address. We’ve given you step-by-step instructions on how to use a Dutch server with ExpressVPN. However, we’ve also offered alternatives such as NordVPN and Proton VPN, and outlined how to pick the one that’s best for you.
Did we leave anything out? Have you used a different VPN service to get a Netherlands IP that you think we should know about? Share your questions and suggestions in the comments below.
FAQ: Trustworthy VPN for Netherlands IP
You can, but be careful about which one you use, as many free proxies tend to be unreliable. Proton VPN is our pick for the best free VPN with access to Netherlands servers, as its more than 100 Amsterdam-based servers ensure a secure and reliable connection.
If your chosen VPN is effective at unblocking geo-restricted content, then yes, you can watch Netflix Netherlands with your Dutch IP. It pays to read up on how good a service is at accessing streaming platforms before signing up.
Although most VPN services will technically support torrenting, you’ll need one with fast upload and download speeds to use it effectively.
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