How to Get a German IP Address With a VPN in 2024
Excited about kicking back with a beer and watching ARD Mediathek? Sounds like a plan, but what if the German content you want to watch is geoblocked? If you don’t know how to get a German IP address, we’ll walk you through how to do just that in this guide.
Written by Arjun Ruparelia (Writer)
Last Updated: 2024-01-24T08:29:47+00:00
All our content is written fully by humans; we do not publish AI writing. Learn more here.
Key Takeaways:
- The best way to obtain a German IP address is by using a VPN.
- Most VPNs have a server in Germany, but ExpressVPN is the best choice.
- If you’re looking for something with a smaller price tag, consider NordVPN.
- You can use Windscribe and TunnelBear — the best free VPNs for Germany, but you’ll need to make peace with slow speeds.
The quickest way to get a German IP address is by using a VPN (virtual private network). However, if you don’t know how to get a German IP address using a VPN, we’re going to walk you through a simple three-step process to get set up with a VPN and get a German IP.
With a German IP, you’ll be able to stream geoblocked German content, access German Netflix and watch ARD Mediathek outside Germany. The reason this works is that when you try to access German websites with a German IP, it makes the website think you’re physically located in Germany.
VPNs do a lot more than bypass geoblocks though. A virtual private network also offers security. If you’re using online banking services or performing other sensitive tasks, using a VPN will keep your data safe. Let’s quickly walk through how you can get a German IP using a VPN.
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01/17/2022 Facts checked
Cloudwards updated the article to reflect changes in the VPN services.
Quick Guide: How to Get a German IP Address With a VPN
Setting up a VPN to get a German IP address is simple, but if you haven’t used a VPN before, here are three easy steps you need to follow. Once you’re done, you’ll be able to access German streaming services, unblock the German version of Netflix or securely access your German bank account.
- Download and Install a VPN
First, you’ll need to sign up with a VPN service that has servers in Germany — we recommend ExpressVPN. Once you’ve signed up, download and install the VPN app for your device.
- Connect to a German Server
Launch the installed VPN app on your device and log in. You’ll see a list of available servers. Search for and connect to a German server.
- Access Local German Content
You’ll now be able to access online German content, including Netflix Germany, watch live German TV online or use other geoblocked German services.
What Are the Best VPNs With German Servers?
Only a VPN with servers in Germany can assign German IP addresses. Most major VPNs have servers in Germany, but the following are our top three best VPN providers for Germany.
- ExpressVPN — Fastest VPN with a strict no-logs policy
- NordVPN — Top-notch security and a massive network of servers
- Windscribe — Free VPN that gets into Netflix
You should look for more than just German servers when comparing VPNs. The VPNs we’ve recommended can get you German IPs, but also offer speed, security and the ability to bypass geoblocks.
Security & Privacy
A VPN that offers good security and privacy will ensure that your data is safe and no other entity is able to log it. Security is even more important when you’re using online banking or torrenting. Ideally, the VPN you choose should have strong encryption and security protocols, IP address and DNS leak protection, a kill switch and a strict no-logs policy.
Speed
Sure, you’ll be able to get ARD Mediathek outside Germany once you have a German IP, but what if it keeps buffering? To avoid poor streaming experience, you should choose a VPN that offers fast connection speeds.
A slight reduction in speed is normal when using VPNs; the key is to keep this reduction to a minimum. Learn more about which VPNs offer the fastest speeds in our guide on fastest VPNs.
Streaming Services
Streaming websites like Netflix are improving their capabilities to identify VPNs and block them. A lot of VPNs out there can’t bypass geoblocks on websites like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. However, choosing from one of our best VPNs for streaming will ensure that you’re able to access the geoblocked content you want.
The 3 Best VPNs for Getting a German IP Address
There are a ton of good VPNs out there. If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed, we’ve chosen the three best VPNs to get a German IP address for you.
1. ExpressVPN
Pros:
- Fastest VPN
- Comprehensive feature portfolio
- Fast & secure Lightway protocol
Cons:
- Expensive
- Doesn’t offer dedicated IP addresses
ExpressVPN has servers in 160 locations, four of which are in Germany. If you’re looking for a VPN that offers pretty much every feature you can think of, ExpressVPN is your best bet. It offers secure protocols, including the Lightway protocol. Plus, it has a kill switch, DNS leak protection, and it’s our fastest VPN. You can learn more about it in our ExpressVPN review.
ExpressVPN doesn’t come cheap. If you’re on a budget, you’ll want to opt for longer plans than come with a discount. However, if you’re open to paying a premium for a comprehensive feature portfolio and excellent service, you can give ExpressVPN a go using its 30-day money-back guarantee without any risk.
- Unlimited GB
- 8
- Yes
2. NordVPN
Pros:
- Massive network of servers
- Excellent security
- Pocket-friendly
Cons:
- No on-call support
NordVPN has one of the largest server networks of any VPN with over 5,200 servers, more than 240 of which are in Germany. NordVPN comes very close to ExpressVPN in terms of speed and features, though it doesn’t beat ExpressVPN when it comes to torrenting. Plus, NordVPN offers you an added layer of security with its double VPN and Onion over VPN servers.
You might experience slight speed inconsistency when using OpenVPN, but NordVPN offers great speeds when you use the NordLynx protocol. All this comes at half the price of ExpressVPN. If you’re on a budget, NordVPN is a great choice. If you want to learn more about it, give our NordVPN review a read, or try it out yourself with the 30-day money-back guarantee.
- *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. Windscribe
Pros:
- Great free plan
- User-friendly interface
- No-logs policy
- Most servers work for torrenting
Cons:
- Slow speeds
Windscribe is your best bet to get a free German IP address. Most free VPNs, barring a few, are unreliable and insecure. However, Windscribe is one of our best free VPNs, and allows users to connect to a Germany server for free. Unlike most free VPNs, Windscribe offers excellent security.
You’ll also be able to get into Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Hulu with Windscribe. However, you might experience occasional buffering, given that Windscribe’s connection speeds aren’t impressive.
You can learn more about Windscribe in our full Windscribe review. It has an excellent free plan, but you can try its premium features for as little as $2 per month using its build-a-plan option.
- Up to 15 GB free with email confirmation and Tweet
- 15GB
- Unlimited
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
- Yes
Can I Use a Free VPN to Get a German IP Address Free?
Most free VPNs are unreliable and insecure, especially if you’re using one of the worst free VPNs. When you need a German IP to access geoblocked German content, it’s best to use one of our recommended VPNs. However, you can use Windscribe or TunnelBear to get a free German IP (read our TunnelBear Review to get more information on that VPN).
What Are the Dangers of Using VPNs for a Germany IP Address?
The internet in Germany is free, so there are no inherent risks to using a German IP. However, in April 2020, the Network Enforcement Act (NetzDG) was amended to strengthen user rights and mandate online platforms to disclose data collected from users to the Federal Criminal Police (BKA) to keep an eye on hate crimes.
Also, the government approved a bill in December 2019 that allows authorities to use monitoring software for increased communication surveillance. When you use a German IP, you’re subject to the same monitoring. For more information, read our guide on the best VPNs for Germany.
Torrenting, as in most countries, is illegal in Germany. This is why it’s best to use a good VPN for getting a German IP. While there aren’t any significant concerns about using a German IP, it’s important to use a VPN that offers good security and privacy.
Final Thoughts
Most VPNs have a server in Germany and can help you obtain German IPs, but not all VPNs are equal in terms of speed and security. ExpressVPN is the best VPN for getting a German IP address. However, if you’re looking for a cost-effective alternative, consider NordVPN, which is the best VPN with dedicated IP addresses in Germany.
For similar posts, read our guide on how to get Indian IP address, French IP address, Australian IP address, Mexico IP address or Nepali IP address.
Have you used a VPN to obtain a German IP address before? If yes, which VPN did you use? Were you able to get into Netflix and other geoblocked streaming websites? Let us know in the comments below, and as always, thanks for reading!
FAQ
You can get a free German IP using a VPN for free, like Windscribe or TunnelBear. Most free VPNs are unreliable and lack adequate security. Windscribe and TunnelBear are among the best free VPNs and do offer good security, but speed often suffers. If you’re looking for a low-cost VPN, NordVPN is an excellent choice.
When you use a VPN to connect to a server in Germany, it will mask your real IP address and assign you a fake IP address. When you access websites with your newly assigned German IP, it will make the websites think you’re actually in German, so you’ll be able to access the geoblocked content.
You can get a foreign IP using a VPN. Simply sign up with a VPN service provider, download their app and connect to a server located in a foreign country to get a foreign IP.
Windscribe and TunnelBear both have free servers in Germany. While free VPNs are usually a bad idea, both Windscribe and TunnelBear are reliable and secure. However, they are slow, so you may want to consider a low-cost alternative like NordVPN instead.