While Portugal is a privacy-friendly country regarding internet access, you can’t avoid certain censorship imposed by the authorities on P2P sharing and streaming services.
This is why you need the Best VPN for Portugal, ExpressVPN, to bypass the limitations on P2P sharing and prevent traffic monitoring.
Fortunately, there are many options for those who can’t afford ExpressVPN.
You can go with NordVPN for exceptional security, Surfshark for infinite simultaneous connections, CyberGhost for the most promising geo-blocking, and PrivateVPN for secure and fast torrenting.
Let’s uncover the most capable VPN to get a Portugal IP address.
Top 3 VPNs for Portugal
NordVPN offers 20+ Portuguese servers to encrypt local connections and stream restricted content from abroad without a hitch. It also has 5200+ servers to connect and unblock platforms from 59 countries.
ExpressVPN has the finest speeds to enjoy streaming geo-restricted content in Portugal buffer-free and accessing Portuguese TV media like TVI and RTP Play from outside Portugal.
Surfshark has the best country range with 100+ countries and allows you to have infinite simultaneous connections to encrypt all your devices and stream geo-blocked content without buying another VPN.
Portugal is one of the few European countries with zero reports or evidence that the government spies on its citizens.
Despite this reputation, netizens can’t escape censorship. For example, Portuguese authorities imposed serious restrictions on peer-to-peer file sharing, and users found torrenting are often persecuted with bandwidth throttling or traffic monitoring by local ISPs.
Additionally, torrenting websites like Pirate Bay and streaming platforms like Hulu, HBO Max, and US Netflix are out of reach for Portuguese citizens.
Luckily, a VPN provider from this list can turn all this around by giving you the complete internet freedom that every netizen deserves.
Download Torrents Safely & Unblock Geo-Restricted Content With My Top Portugal VPNs
Get an internet companion to download torrent files without traffic monitoring and join public Wi-Fi networks in Portugal risk-free.
Here are noteworthy features of my top VPNs:
- ExpressVPN: Get access to content libraries of 94 countries to stream 4K content with no delays and a Portuguese IP address to stream local shows.
- NordVPN: Join from 20+ Portuguese servers to access UKTV and SIC from a foreign country, 5475 servers to stream geo-blocked content over foolproof encryption.
- Surfshark: Enjoy content from over 100 countries, encrypt all your devices with a single Surfshark account, and conquer geo-restrictions inexpensively.
- CyberGhost: Get a hold of the biggest server library with 50 servers in Portugal alone and optimized servers for smooth streaming and secure torrenting wherever you go.
- PrivateVPN: A reliable VPN for secure and fast torrenting in Portugal with unlimited P2P support, port forwarding, and SOCKS5 compatibility.
If that roundup stranded you contemplating various VPNs, don’t sweat it, as I’m here to help you make the soundest decision with my tests and comparisons of these providers below.
Extensive Tests and Comparisons of My Top VPNs for Portugal
To compile this list of the five best VPNs, I evaluated 21+ VPN providers based on criteria like speed, server network, security, torrenting capability, and other admissible tests for Portugal.
All the speed tests you’re about to witness are recorded with a 100 Mbps connection.
ExpressVPN - Fastest Streaming VPN for Portugal
| Location | Server Network | Country Coverage | Portuguese Servers | Average Speeds | Best Deal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Virgin Islands | 3000+ | 94 | 1 | 100 Mbps | Show Offer |
ExpressVPN tops my list as the Best VPN for Portugal because it fuses the highest connection speeds with a wide server network to stream many geo-blocked platforms in crystal-clear quality.
Plus, every time I connected to its Portugal server, it was a breeze to stream Portugal-specific content on SIC, TVI, and RTP Play.
There was no sign of lagging, buffering, or bothersome interruptions.
Luckily, this Portuguese server is capable of doing a lot more.
You can also join the Portuguese server to:
- Encrypt your connection while connected to Public Wi-Fi at Starbucks or hotels without losing access to local content.
- Unblock your Abanca, Barclays, Deutsche Bank, or other online banking accounts when you’re not in Portugal without erecting suspicions.
- Prevent DDoS attacks when you’re in an online game against Portuguese rivals.
If you’re a fan of foreign content like me, ExpressVPN has 3200+ servers in 94 countries to unblock content unavailable in Portugal.
That’s the second-lowest server count on this list – but the second-highest country coverage!
The US server allowed me to unblock Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu, while the London server is fit for BBC iPlayer. With ExpressVPN’s unlimited bandwidth, you too can enjoy streaming buffer-free 4K content on US Netflix since the Portugal Netflix library is awfully limited.
Out of all the VPNs I tested, ExpressVPN has the fastest servers for Portugal. I got a phenomenal average speed of 100.64 Mbps when connected via the Smart location feature, which connects you to the best server based on your location.
Surprisingly, even distant servers offered me similar performance, thanks to its Lightway protocol.
On the security front, ExpressVPN utilizes 256-bit encryption to save you from traffic monitoring by Portugal authorities, Oni telecom, or your local ISP.
Additionally, it boasts fast, obfuscated Portugal servers to hide that you’re using a VPN. I was pleased to find no IP and DNS leaks during my tests.
Fun fact- it’s so good at privacy that ExpressVPN is also the Best VPN for China to beat the great firewall if you ever plan to visit.
It’s also one of the best VPNs for torrenting in Portugal because it allows P2P traffic on all servers and unblocks all sites like Piratebay.
If you’re using it on your router, you can enable port forwarding for faster download speeds.
The only thing I disliked about ExpressVPN is that it only allows for up to five simultaneous connections. All the other VPNs on this list support more.
Also, there’s no hiding that ExpressVPN is the costliest on this list.
But if you ask me, the blazing-fast speeds and wide network coverage are worth the premium.
Want more savings? Seize these once-in-a-lifetime discounts to get the best deal on ExpressVPN and enjoy a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Pros
- 1 Portugal server with many IPs to watch SIC, TVI, and RTP Play
- Fastest streaming speeds to watch 4K content buffer-free
- A wide server network to access US Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video
- Supports P2P traffic and port forwarding
- AES 256-bit encryption with fast obfuscated servers
Cons
- Slightly more expensive than other Portugal VPNs here
- Only five simultaneous connections
NordVPN - Best-In-Class Security VPN in Portugal
| Location | Server Network | Country Coverage | Portuguese Servers | Average Speeds | Best Deal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panama | 5475 | 59 | 20+ | 95 Mbps | Show Offer |
I chose NordVPN as the second best VPN for Portugal since it has 20+ servers in Portugal, making it effortless for you to get a Portugal IP address or join public Wi-Fi networks at Gum Art Cafe, Lisbon Airport, or Hard Rock Cafe without hackers getting to you.
I tried the Lisbon server to unblock and stream Portuguese shows on UKTV, RTP Play, and SIC, and the experience was seamless.
And, if you’re not a fan of shared IPs, NordVPN offers dedicated IP addresses at an additional cost.
Otherwise, NordVPN works in Portugal, too. To bypass geo-censorship in the country, you can connect to any of NordVPN’s 5475 servers in 59 countries.
That’s the second-highest server count here but the least country coverage.
Nonetheless, NordVPN covers the major countries to unblock streaming platforms like BBC iPlayer (UK), HBO Max (US), France.TV (France) and many more.
With NordVPN’s US server, I unlocked and binge-watched the final season of my favorite TV show, “Better call Saul,” on Netflix at max resolution without buffering even once.
Another aspect I like about NordVPN is that its speeds are always stable and consistent. It delivered 95.57 Mbps during my speed test via its proprietary NordLynx protocol. Although the speeds are not as fast as ExpressVPN, they’re more than enough to stream Ultra HD content smoothly.
Security is an area that NordVPN takes very seriously.
Its military-grade encryption (AES 256-bit) and strict no-logs policy prove this.
Additionally, it has a Double VPN feature that encrypts your traffic twice, but I was disappointed not to find any Portugal server for Double VPN.
Although what it does have for Portugal is a P2P optimized server so Portuguese netizens can conveniently download files over torrenting clients without the risk of traffic monitoring or bandwidth throttling.
You can use NordVPN on all mobile and PC devices, allowing up to six simultaneous devices, which is better than ExpressVPN’s device limit.
The best part is that NordVPN’s performance is only a tad bit behind ExpressVPN, but it’s available at a more affordable price.
Moreover, we’ve some exclusive discounts for our beloved readers, so snatch them while they last!
Pros
- 20+ servers in Portugal to access UKTV, RTP Play, and SIC
- High-quality encryption with a no-logs policy & dedicated IP addresses
- Stable and consistent speeds with NordLynx protocol
- P2P optimized servers for torrenting
- Unblock access to geo-blocked platforms like Hulu, BBC iPlayer, HBO, and more
Cons
- Not as fast as ExpressVPN
- Least country coverage here
Surfshark - Stream Geo-Blocked Content on All Devices
| Location | Server Network | Country Coverage | Portuguese Servers | Average Speeds | Best Deal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Netherlands | 3200+ | 100+ | 2 | 91 Mbps | Show Offer |
Surfshark is a bang-for-buck VPN, offering champagne value for the cost of beer. It has two servers in Lisbon and Porto. These provide you with a foolproof Portuguese IP address to watch Portugal-limited TV from anywhere in the world.
I took these servers on a ride, unblocking Portugal-limited content on RTP1, SIC Mulher, and AXN in Ultra-HD quality, and they worked like a charm.
Not once did I come across any error or drop in connection.
Similarly, foreigners can access local content on Portugal-restricted platforms like RTP1, RTP Africa, SIC Notícias, and SIC Mulher with Surfshark.
And that’s not even the best part.
Surfshark is the only VPN that allows for infinite simultaneous connection, which means you get to encrypt the traffic of all your devices with a single subscription. That’s not all Surfshark has to offer, either.
Surfshark also possesses 3200+ servers in more than 100 countries.
It ranks first in terms of country coverage. So, you can virtually be anywhere since it lets you get an IP address in almost every country.
Despite the lack of an in-house protocol like NordVPN or ExpressVPN, Surfshark didn’t disappoint with an average 91.71 Mbps speed using the WireGuard protocol.
To prevent traffic monitoring by Portuguese authorities, it’s equipped with AES 256-bit encryption, ram-volatile servers, and more advanced security features.
Unlike NordVPN’s DoubleVPN servers, unavailable in Portugal, Surfshark has a Portuguese Multihop server that connects you via the United States for an extra layer of security to safeguard you from hackers and snoopers.
Surfshark servers support P2P connections with unlimited bandwidth, and I had no problem downloading files from Pirate bay, YTYS, and other torrent clients.
However, the thing it lacks is port forwarding. But this shouldn’t be a dealbreaker considering that Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous connections.
This is way better than the limited connections on ExpressVPN (five), NordVPN (six), Cyberghost (seven), and PrivateVPN (ten).
So, if you own many devices or you’re traveling to/from Portugal with many people, Surfshark is the perfect solution to hook ALL your smartphones, PCs, consoles, and routers on a VPN connection without buying other VPN services.
Here are some showstopper discounts to save even further on Surfshark’s subscription.
Pros
- 2 servers in Porto and Lisbon to stream AXN, RTP1, and more
- Infinite simultaneous connections
- A wide country range to unblock a ton of geo-blocked content
- Portugal Multihop server that connects via the United States
- An affordable price tag
Cons
- No in-house protocols like NordVPN and ExpressVPN
- No P2P-optimized servers
CyberGhost - Unblock All Global Streaming Libraries in Portugal
| Location | Server Network | Country Coverage | Portuguese Servers | Average Speeds | Best Deal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Romania | 9000+ | 90+ | 50 | 84 Mbps | Show Offer |
CyberGhost is another Portugal VPN service with many exciting things to talk about. To start things off, it ranks highest in Portugal servers, with 50 in Lisbon.
You won’t have a single issue streaming UHD content on Portuguese channels like CMTV, AXN, and Canal Hollywood with these servers when you’re outside the country.
To unblock globally restricted content, CyberGhost has a mammoth-sized server network with 9000+ servers in 90+ countries. It’s just behind Surfshark in the country range area and by a tiny margin.
One specific part of CyberGhost I came across while testing is that it has dedicated servers for specific purposes. So, you get optimized servers for streaming, torrenting, and gaming on PCs and streaming servers on smartphones.
I connected to a CyberGhost streaming optimized server in Portugal to unblock and watch The Rookie on AXN.
It also impressed me by declaring the platforms for which a specific regional server is optimized. So, you can have a UK server optimized for BBC iPlayer and a France server optimized for France TV.
Anyways, you’ll still be able to employ these servers for unblocking other platforms than what is depicted. For instance, I used the Portugal server optimized for RTP Play to unblock AXN, and it ran smoothly.
With the streaming optimizations in mind, I was barely surprised to see CyberGhost perform fantastically in speed tests. I averaged 84.21 Mbps speed with the WireGuard protocol. So, not as good as Surfshark or NordVPN, but enough to stream 4K content effortlessly.
It utilizes high-quality AES 256-bit encryption along with DNS and IPv6 leak protection. I verified this claim and my real IP remained camouflaged at all times. Additionally, CyberGhost sells dedicated IP addresses for Portugal, like NordVPN.
Also, I recommend you enable its automatic Wi-Fi protection feature that activates the VPN connection whenever it detects a new public network in Portugal. This is a feature I adore since it often prevents me from accidentally joining the public Wi-Fi of some local cafe without encryption, which is never a good idea.
If you’re a fan of Pirate Bay, RARBG, or Mega, breathe easy as CyberGhost’s torrenting servers are optimized for P2P traffic, and they’re great at unblocking torrent sites and downloading files while avoiding monitoring by Portuguese authorities.
CyberGhost’s seven simultaneous connections can’t keep up with what Surfshark offers, but it’s still better than ExpressVPN or NordVPN.
The silver lining is that it comes at a more affordable cost than both providers.
Want more savings? Here is a terrifical deal to get the best deal on CyberGhost with a benevolent 45-day money-back guarantee.
Pros
- 50 servers in Lisbon to access Portuguese channels like CMTV and Canal Hollywood
- Optimized for streaming, torrenting, and gaming
- Automatic Wi-Fi protection
- 9000+ servers in 90+ countries to access Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and HBO
- Servers optimized for specific platforms in certain regions
Cons
- Not as fast as NordVPN or Surfshark
- No in-house protocols like NordVPN and ExpressVPN
PrivateVPN - Torrent Freely With Unlimited P2P Support in Portugal
| Location | Server Network | Country Coverage | Portuguese Servers | Average Speeds | Best Deal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sweden | 200+ | 63 | 1 | 44 Mbps | Show Offer |
PrivateVPN is a growing VPN in the industry with a server in Lisbon that houses tens to hundreds of IP addresses. I’ve confirmed this by joining the Lisbon server numerous times and acquiring a different IP address every time.
Using the Lisbon server, I could stream news on CNN Portugal and watch sports on Canal 11 buffer-free.
PrivateVPN has 200+ servers in 63 countries. Its server count is like a drop in the ocean compared to the server base of CyberGhost or NordVPN, but it covers the most significant countries like the US, UK, Canada, and more.
So, you won’t necessarily face problems when unblocking platforms like BBC iPlayer, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video. However, the servers can get overcrowded at times.
To overcome the overcrowding, PrivateVPN has free dedicated IP addresses, but these aren’t like the stable dedicated IPs of NordVPN.
They’re dynamic, so they change with every session, but they’re opposed to shared IPs because you’re the only user in that session.
PrivateVPN keeps the security tight with 2048-bit military-grade encryption, IP & DNS leak protection, and a kill switch in case your connection drops.
Due to the lack of WireGuard protocol, PrivateVPN offered me just 44.54 Mbps speed, which is the worst out of all the Portugal VPNs but is still good enough for streaming without interruptions.
Until now, it may look like PrivateVPN has fallen off the other VPNs’ pace.
However, I’ve selected it as the last pick primarily because of its torrenting capabilities.
So, If you’re into torrenting, you’re in for a treat because PrivateVPN is undoubtedly the best VPN in Portugal for torrenting, with its unlimited P2P file sharing on all servers.
The Lisbon server also supports torrenting with unlimited bandwidth and safety against snooping by MEO ISP or copyright trolls.
You can also enable port forwarding to boost your downloading or uploading speeds significantly. Additionally, it’s also compatible with SOCKS5 for even faster torrenting speeds.
PrivateVPN has a beginner-friendly UI and can work with up to ten simultaneous connections, including all PCs and smartphones.
It’s also the most inexpensive VPN on this list. You can save even more using these attractive discounts and get a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Pros
- Stream local content using the Lisbon server
- Incredible torrenting capabilities with unlimited P2P file sharing, port forwarding, and SOCKS5
- Optimal security with military-grade encryption
- Servers in 63 countries to unblock global restricted platforms
- A pocket-friendly VPN
Cons
- No WireGuard or in-house protocol
- Least number of servers
How to Set Up a VPN for Portugal?
To establish your Portugal VPN, you need to trigger the VPN’s kill switch, select the right protocol, and connect to your targeted server location.
Here are the instructions to do this using the Best VPN for Portugal, ExpressVPN:
- Buy the ExpressVPN subscription.
- Download and install the ExpressVPN app on your device. I’ll use the Mac app for this demonstration.
- Launch the app and log in with your credentials.
- Enable the Kill switch (Network lock) by visiting preferences > General > check the box, “Stop all internet traffic if the VPN disconnects unexpectedly.”
- Pick the VPN protocol as Lightway UDP to achieve the best speeds in Portugal by visiting preferences > protocol.
- Pick your preferred server location from the search bar by clicking on the three dots.
- Toggle the connection button and wait for the connection to establish.
- Start accessing geo-blocked content in Portugal with ExpressVPN!
How to Get a High-Speed Portuguese IP Address?
You need a local Portuguese IP address if you’d like to stream Portuguese shows from a foreign country.
Follow these steps to get a Portuguese IP address from anywhere in the world:
- Get the Best VPN for Portugal – ExpressVPN.
- Follow the first five steps from the tutorial above.
- Search for “Portugal,” click on the server and wait for the connection’s confirmation.
- Start streaming Portuguese TV channels like TVI, RTP Play, and more as if you’re in Portugal.
FAQ
Is Using a VPN Illegal in Portugal?
VPNs are legal in Portugal as long as you aren’t using them for illegal activities.
Should You Use a Free VPN in Portugal?
You can use a free VPN in Portugal to access restricted foreign content, but you’ll most likely not be able to get a Portuguese IP address since most free VPNs don’t offer servers in Portugal.
Even if you find one with Portuguese servers, it may collect your internet data and sell it to the highest bidder. This is why I always recommend affordable VPNs like Surfshark over free VPNs any day.
What's the Best VPN for iPhone in Portugal?
CyberGhost is the Best VPN for iPhone in Portugal since it has optimized streaming servers for iPhone, automatic Wi-Fi protection, and a UI with tons of advanced features that you normally encounter in PC VPN apps.
Wrapping Up!
Although Portugal doesn’t have a distressing surveillance rate, you should still own a reliable virtual private network to eliminate common issues like ISP surveillance and bandwidth throttling.
Now I’m sure you know which VPN fits your needs the best.
My top pick for Portugal is ExpressVPN because of its blazing-fast speeds and wide server network to unblock practically all streaming services.
So what’s taking you so long?
Get started with ExpressVPN in Portugal using these attractive discounts risk-free since a 30-day money-back guarantee backs it.
