6 Best VPNs for Europe: Fast, Secure Continent-Wide Access (2026)

1. NordVPN – Best VPN for Europe + Premium Security & P2P on All Standard Servers

I’m not one for “saving the best for last.”

Instead, NordVPN is front and center – exactly where it should be.

Let’s discuss why.

First, it’s been a saving grace for unblocking content.

Specifically, I use NordVPN to stream Hulu, Netflix US, HBO Max, Disney+, and Amazon Prime from the comfort of my Slovakian home.

I also use it to watch Inside No. 9 on BBC iPlayer.

Though, sometimes (albeit rarely), a streaming service won’t work.

I use one of my other VPNs for streaming or message support for a recommended server when this happens.

But every so often, support says the service is down and to try again in a few hours.

This is NordVPN’s first strike, as ExpressVPN and Surfshark (my other top VPNs for streaming) almost never give issues.

On the bright side, NordVPN unblocks more than just streaming services.

For example, if you’re in Poland and you want to play GTA 5’s casino games, NordVPN can help you do so.

Or, if you need to access a website that your network admin blocks (at school, work, etc.), NordVPN will unblock it.

And thanks to the VPN provider’s massive server network (7,000+ servers in 150 countries), you’re sure to find a nearby server for the best speeds.

In fact, when I went through NordVPN’s server list in September 2026, it had servers in 41 European countries (52 cities), including Germany (Berlin, Frankfurt, and Hamburg), the Netherlands, France, and Norway.

That puts it level with Surfshark (41) and ExpressVPN (40+), well ahead of PrivateVPN (33), and only a few countries behind CyberGhost (44+) and PIA (42+).

And it’s still plenty to give you nearby options or, hopefully, connect to a local IP if you’re traveling abroad (so you can watch French TV shows from anywhere).

NordVPN is also extremely fast.

While ExpressVPN took first in my speed tests, NordVPN just barely fell behind Surfshark with an 8.78 Mbps speed drop, taking third.

Between the two of them, Surfshark was only 0.06 Mbps faster.

So, if you want to participate in bandwidth-intensive activities – like torrenting – NordVPN won’t slow you down.

And speaking of torrenting, NordVPN allows P2P traffic on every standard server, so any server you pick will take your torrent client.

This means you can enjoy torrenting without 1&1, BT Broadband, EE, or any other European ISP spying on you.

And considering my ISP (Orange) recently started taking copyright violations more seriously, this was huge news for my friends who torrent pirated content.

(Not me, though. I’d never break the law by torrenting anime off ThePirateBay!)

Moving on, NordVPN also has a premium suite of security features.

So, if you want an extra layer of security while torrenting Sword Art Online or browsing public WiFi at Tesco, you can use obfuscation or a double VPN, though the former is only available with OpenVPN TCP and the latter with OpenVPN UDP and TCP. 

Still, if you’re in a country with harsh data privacy laws, like Russia, I recommend the obfuscation feature.

It hides that you’re even using a VPN from your ISP and government.

Just keep in mind that both features slow your speeds more – which is disappointing, considering ExpressVPN and Surfshark have lightweight obfuscation that doesn’t impact speed.

Still, NordVPN and Surfshark are the only VPNs with standalone double VPN features (PIA combines its double VPN with obfuscation), giving them a competitive edge.

And aside from PrivateVPN, NordVPN is the only VPN on my list with two kill switches.

So, you can protect your data and IP by killing your internet and any apps you’re using if your VPN connection drops.

This is an absolute necessity if you spend a lot of time on public WiFi at Aupark, Harrods, Las Arenas, or any other European shopping center.

NordVPN’s last saving grace is that it’s very affordable.

The monthly price falls somewhere in the middle, and the long-term plans offer major savings.

But for the BEST price, use my exclusive discount link!

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2. Surfshark – Affordable VPN for Europe + Two Obfuscation Features

My runner-up is Surfshark – a VPN provider with some of the best long-term savings on my list for Europeans and expats on a budget.

But first, let’s discuss Surfshark’s unique asset(s) that no other VPN on my list can boast: two obfuscation features.

Why is obfuscation so important?

You might know that the 14 Eyes comprises 9 European countries (10 if you count the UK).

So, if you live in Denmark, France, the Netherlands, Norway, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Sweden, or Spain, obfuscation is essential.

Why?

Because your data is likely being shared with every country that makes up the 14 Eyes!

Luckily, Surfshark comes to the rescue with two options: Camouflage Mode and NoBorders Mode.

Camouflage Mode is my first recommendation, as it’ll hide your VPN use from any government or ISP spying on you.

It’s also lightweight, so you can enjoy it without sacrificing speed.

And like ExpressVPN, it’s automatically enabled on every server.

However, unlike ExpressVPN, you need to use the OpenVPN protocol (UDP or TCP) for it to work.

This is a little disappointing, as I get the best speeds with WireGuard.

But that’s not to say OpenVPN (UDP) isn’t fast.

In fact, when I tested its speeds, the drop was just 9.17 Mbps.

That placed it behind NordVPN (8.78 Mbps drop), but with WireGuard, the drop was only 8.72 Mbps, earning it second.

Meanwhile, Surfshark’s second obfuscation feature, NoBorders Mode, is heavier.

But it’s a great option if you’re in a country like Russia, as it enhances your security tenfold.

NoBorders Mode is also automatically enabled “whenever needed.”

Just keep in mind that it slows your speeds and gives you a limited server park to choose from.

Speaking of server park, Surfshark has 4,500+ servers in 100 countries.

That’s a decent number, though CyberGhost and NordVPN publish bigger ones.

Its European coverage now matches NordVPN’s at 41 countries, though nine of them (Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Liechtenstein, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, and North Macedonia) are virtual locations: the IP address belongs to that country, but the server sits elsewhere.

Still, it should be easy enough to find a nearby or local European server to connect to.

Moving on, Surfshark is the only VPN on my list besides NordVPN to offer a standalone double VPN (MultiHop).

This is a great alternative to either obfuscation feature, though I still recommend Camouflage Mode, as it has better speeds.

Next, while it doesn’t have dedicated P2P options, Surfshark allows torrenting on all of its servers, meaning you’ll get super-fast speeds while you torrent totally-legal content without your nosy ISP seeing. 

One downside, though.

Surfshark has no port forwarding, so seeding is patchy – if you care about your ratio as a torrenter, PrivateVPN or PIA suits you better.

Finally, thanks to the VPN provider’s unblocking capabilities and unlimited simultaneous connections, your entire family can watch different geo-locked platforms at the same time.

This includes Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, HBO Max, and more.

In fact, Surfshark is close to ExpressVPN when unblocking content, whether streaming platforms, games, or websites.

It’s also one of only two VPNs on my list (PIA is the other) with unlimited simultaneous connections, giving it another edge, especially if you want to watch US Netflix on your tablet while unblocking games on your gaming PC.

My speed tests were a dead heat (an 8.72 Mbps drop against NordVPN’s 8.78), so NordVPN keeps first place on everything else: a network about 50% bigger and an app kill switch that Surfshark doesn’t have.

And, as promised, Surfshark has some of the best long-term savings (though its monthly plan is pretty expensive).

Don’t forget to take advantage of THIS HUGE DISCOUNT when signing up!

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3. PrivateVPN – Beginner-Friendly Europe VPN for Novice VPN Users

PrivateVPN takes third place on my list of the top VPNs for Europe, thanks to its user-friendly apps, streaming capabilities, and port forwarding at a budget price.

First, if you’re new to VPNs, you’ll appreciate the easy-to-use apps that make securing your connection from your nosy government and ISP effortless.

But if you’re a VPN expert, you’ll still appreciate PrivateVPN, as it also has an “Advanced View.”

This gives you more customization options and features, including the VPN’s premium security features.

For example, if you live in a 14 Eyes country and want an extra layer of security to hide your VPN use and protect your data, PrivateVPN’s Stealth VPN (obfuscation) is the solution (though it slows your speeds).

PrivateVPN is also the only VPN on my list aside from NordVPN to offer two kill switches.

The first is for your system – so if your VPN disconnects, so will your internet.

But the second is for apps, allowing you to add programs to disconnect at the same time automatically.

This is especially useful if you frequent public WiFi hotspots, like that cute café in London or one of the hundreds of busy shopping centers in Germany.

And considering PrivateVPN doesn’t have a double VPN feature, its other security features are extra essential.

However, PrivateVPN does have port forwarding on selected locations, meaning you can torrent the latest episodes of Family Guy without copyright trolls hounding you.

The only other VPN on my list with similar port forwarding capabilities is PIA.

Perhaps this is why PrivateVPN gave me amazing speeds – my speed drop was just 10.81 Mbps, putting it ahead of PIA and CyberGhost!

Combine its speeds with its ability to unblock any type of content, and you’ve got a fantastic VPN for streaming Netflix US, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Disney+, and many other streaming services.

Of course, you can also use PrivateVPN to unblock games and websites.

Now for the VPN service’s biggest flaw – and the reason it sits third rather than higher.

Its European list has grown to 33 countries (from Iceland and Ireland to Cyprus, Moldova, and Ukraine, with Berlin and Frankfurt, London and Manchester, and three Swedish cities), but the whole network is only 200+ servers – the smallest on my list.

That leaves a handful of servers per country, so if the nearby one is busy, your fallback may be across a border (though you’ll still get fast speeds).

It’s also based in Sweden, one of the 14 Eyes countries I cover below, and its no-logs claim hasn’t been independently audited.

On the plus side, you land on the same shared static IP every time you pick a location, so your home bank sees a familiar login on your travels, and dynamic dedicated IPs over OpenVPN are available on selected locations. One plan covers ten devices, too.

And the prices are super affordable: $2.00 a month on the three-year deal (then $72 a year), with 30 days to change your mind.

You can also use my link for EXTRA savings!

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4. ExpressVPN – Stream Anything From Anywhere With Fast Speeds

Next up is ExpressVPN – my top choice for streaming in Europe.

Don’t get me wrong, NordVPN and Surfshark stream well, too.

But for pure unblocking, ExpressVPN takes the cake.

I’ve been using it for 5+ years before moving to Europe.

It helped me watch BBC iPlayer back then.

Now, it helps me watch iPlayer (from Slovakia) and literally any other streaming service you can think of, including Netflix US, Hulu, HBO Max, Amazon Prime, Disney+, Showtime, DAZN, Channel 4, and more.

This is huge if you’re in Europe, as it means “region-restricted” is just a phrase (and not the bane of your existence).

And it’s not just streaming services you can unblock.

ExpressVPN also unblocks games, websites, apps, and more.

So, if you’re in Belgium or the Netherlands and you want to access CS:GO loot boxes, ExpressVPN can help!

The best part?

While you’re unblocking content, you can enjoy lightning-fast speeds (especially if you use ExpressVPN’s proprietary protocol, Lightway – I recommend UDP).

ExpressVPN actually took first place in my speed tests, with a speed drop of just 7.46 Mbps.

And with 40+ server locations in Europe (on par with NordVPN and Surfshark), you’ll have plenty of options for a nearby server.

This also means if you travel abroad, you can connect to a local IP to access your Lloyds Banking Group (etc.) account.

Though, overall, ExpressVPN no longer publishes a server count – it only says it has servers in 113 countries.

It also doesn’t offer a double VPN feature or second skill switch.

But!

It makes up for this by having automatic obfuscation on all servers.

This means your European ISP and government won’t have any idea you’re using a VPN – which is incredibly useful if you’re in a country that’s part of the 5/9/14 Eyes.

Even better, obfuscation supports any protocol, including Lightway UDP, so your speeds aren’t affected.

ExpressVPN is also the ONLY VPN on my list with automatic obfuscation on every server with any protocol.

Not even Surfshark with its lightweight Camouflage Mode compares.

On the other hand, ExpressVPN doesn’t have dedicated P2P servers like CyberGhost.

But at least you can torrent on any server and still enjoy anonymity and super-fast speeds while doing so.

Plus, while the VPN provider doesn’t have a second, app-based kill switch, it does have a much-needed system kill switch (Network Lock).

So, when you use public WiFi at your favorite cafe, hostel, or hotel, your IP and data are safe, even if you accidentally lose connection to your VPN.

One last downside.

ExpressVPN isn’t the cheapest VPN here, though its long-term plans do bring the monthly price down.

That price is what drops it to fourth here: Surfshark unblocked nearly all the same platforms for me at a lower long-term cost, and PrivateVPN undercuts both while adding port forwarding.

Luckily, you can get a HUGE discount when using my sign-up link!

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5. Private Internet Access – Massive European Server Park & P2P Support

Sitting in fifth place on my list of the most reliable VPNs for Europe is Private Internet Access (PIA).

My favorite feature of this VPN is its massive European server network.

It’s not as big as CyberGhost, but you’ll still get 42+ European countries to choose from, including Poland, Slovakia, France, Germany, and Belgium.

In other words, you can find local and nearby servers, whether for the best speeds or to watch Euro sports from abroad with a European IP.

Plus, PIA’s overall network spans 91 countries, including all 50 US states, though it no longer publishes a server count.

This and its one-click solution for port forwarding make it an excellent choice for safe, fast, and anonymous torrenting (despite no dedicated P2P servers).

PIA is actually one of two VPNs on my list with easy port forwarding (PrivateVPN is the other one).

ExpressVPN offers it too, but only for its router setup.

To enable port forwarding with PIA, simply check a box in the app.

This means if you want to torrent with fast speeds and without Fastweb, KCOM, or any other European ISP knowing, PIA is the best choice.

The VPN’s massive server network is also handy for unblocking websites, though PIA isn’t as thorough as other VPNs on my list.

You’ll have no trouble accessing restricted websites and games, but streaming services vary.

Specifically, I could only unblock BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and Amazon Prime at the time of writing.

I struggled to unblock Netflix, so I contacted PIA support for a recommended server.

They just linked me to this help article.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t get Netflix US to work (I just kept seeing Netflix originals and no US-only content).

I also couldn’t get Disney+ to work.

So, if your main use for a VPN in Europe is to watch geo-locked content, I recommend Surfshark or ExpressVPN instead.

On the bright side, PIA has all the necessary security features to keep you safe from the 5, 9, and 14 Eyes (or from your ISP, government, etc.).

This includes a kill switch and combined obfuscation and double VPN.

The obfuscation and double VPN feature is unique, to say the least.

It sends your VPN traffic through the SOCKS5 or Shadowsocks proxy, preventing a major speed loss.

And if you couldn’t guess, PIA is the only VPN on my list to offer this.

Anyway, saving on speed is huge here, as PIA scored second-to-last in my speed tests with a speed loss of 11.56 Mbps (my base speed was 97.12 Mbps).

This was surprising as, usually, PIA is a little faster.

In any case, that’s still fast enough to enjoy bandwidth-intensive activities like playing at the Diamond Casino in GTA 5 and streaming BBC iPlayer in 4K.

Finally, PIA has very affordable prices (especially its monthly plan)!

Plus, if you use my exclusive sign-up link, you’ll get EVEN MORE savings!

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6. CyberGhost – VPN for Europe With Dedicated Streaming & Gaming Servers

Finally, the last VPN on my list of the best VPNs for Europe is CyberGhost.

It’s quite surprising that it’s last, as it has the most European server locations (44+)!

But I have my reasons.

First, though, let’s discuss why it made my list at all.

CyberGhost is the only VPN here with multiple dedicated server categories for torrenting, gaming, and streaming.

These categories offer a variety of options, including European countries.

For example, CyberGhost’s gaming servers are available in Germany and France (and the UK).

And its streaming category is filled with options for country-specific platforms, like ORF (Austria), RTL Play (Belgium), Zattoo DE (Germany), and Rai Play Diretta (Italy).

Now for the caveat – sometimes, these dedicated servers don’t work.

In CyberGhost’s defense, I’ve had better luck lately than in the past.

But I’m also no stranger to giving up on a dedicated server and switching to a normal one.

On the bright side, I have little trouble eventually partaking in my intended activity, like streaming.

Specifically, CyberGhost unblocked Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and many European platforms specific to their countries of origin (like the ones above).

And considering how many European servers CyberGhost has, you’re sure to find nearby servers and local IP addresses for any activity, whether accessing your bank account or streaming your favorite European shows from abroad.

But there’s another reason CyberGhost’s wishy-washy dedicated servers are so frustrating.

CyberGhost placed last in my speed tests, with an 11.92 Mbps drop.

This is a (positive) jump from past tests, where the provider had a drop between 15-20 Mbps.

But it’s still not comparable to the others here (except maybe PIA).

At the very least, CyberGhost is fast enough to enjoy streaming in 4K and anonymous torrenting.

However, I recommend testing the dedicated P2P servers and the normal ones to see which are faster.

Moving on, CyberGhost is also great for unblocking websites and games (if you can deal with the lackluster speeds).

So, if you need to access ProtonMail in Russia, you can hop on a CyberGhost server and unblock it.

Now for another downside.

You’ll get must-have security features like a kill switch and obfuscation – which are enough to keep you safe from snooping European governments.

But CyberGhost is missing other useful security features (a double VPN and app kill switch), and its NoSpy (obfuscation) servers cost extra.

This is disappointing, considering the other VPNs on my list with obfuscation include it for free with any subscription.

But at least CyberGhost’s prices are reasonable.

If you want MORE SAVINGS, you can use this sign-up link.

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