Is there anything worse than sitting down to ‘Netflix and Chill’ only to end up spending half an hour browsing the menus on your Netflix account, desperately looking for something worth watching?

Perhaps being halfway through a box set and then having to travel outside your Netflix region for work or a holiday and finding you can’t keep watching until you get home runs it pretty close.

They are both major frustrations for me and many other Netflix users. Thankfully, they’re also problems that can be solved relatively simply.

All you need to do is learn how to change your Netflix region.

This will allow you to watch Netflix TV shows and movies overseas and open up new Netflix menus and even access an increased array of Netflix subtitles, making even wider choices of great content available to you.

Switching regions gives you access to more Netflix content for the same price as your regular subscription. And what’s more, it’s easy too. I should know. As a regular traveller and digital nomad, if I want to watch Netflix, then being able to change Netflix region is essential.

In this guide, we will show you everything you need to know about how to change your Netflix region and which tools are the best ones to use.

So if you’re ready to level up your Netflix account, keep scrolling down to learn how you can change your Netflix region.

What do you need to change your Netflix region?

To change Netflix region where you are, you will need a Virtual Private Network or ‘VPN’ app.

A VPN is primarily an online security and privacy tool. It works by encrypting your internet data and then redirecting it through an external server before sending it off to its destination.

It doesn’t sound very easy, but it is – bear with me!

This not only keeps your data safe but also hides your IP address which helps to maintain your online privacy.

Because you can use a VPN to connect to VPN server locations around the world and adopt an IP Address from just about anywhere, you can use a VPN service to watch Netflix and change Netflix region from absolutely anywhere.

With a VPN, you can watch American Netflix, if you usually use Netflix Canada, for example.

The same goes for most other countries too. Best of all, your regular Netflix account lets you log in anywhere in the world. I’ve logged into to Netflix services in all five major continents on a single account.

Most VPNs offer a network of VPN servers located in different countries worldwide.

Usually, a VPN service will include VPN servers in the same countries as the most popular Netflix regions, such as the USA, the UK, and Japan and give you private internet access to stream Netflix from anywhere and watch what you want.

When you connect to a VPN server in a country like the USA, all of your internet data appears to be coming from that country to the website or app you are visiting. This means your home IP address is altered to one from another country.

So, when you try watching Netflix, it will see that you are in the USA and therefore allow you to access its US content library by using streaming servers in the country, even when you are not actually there.

With VPN software, you can also watch Netflix UK content and other countries as it gives you a different IP address.

So, a VPN connection makes it possible to access Netflix from overseas from the comfort of your own home and your home Netflix account when you are on the go by simply changing your network settings.

It will also hide your IP address registration details even when using a WiFi network.

However, none of this will alter your Netflix billing country, so your payments remain the same.

How to use a VPN to change your Netflix region

The hardest part of using a VPN to change your Netflix location and hide your IP address is choosing the right VPN for you.

Our recommendation is to use ExpressVPN.

They have an easy-to-use app, work with loads of Netflix regions and offer a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee. If you want to shop around, I’ll cover more providers later, but of all the ones we have tested, ExpressVPN is the best.

To make life super easy, we have compiled this simple step-by-step guide for you to follow using our top recommendation, ExpressVPN, as an example.

1. Sign up for ExpressVPN by clicking on a link in this article and then follow the simple onscreen instructions.
2. Download the ExpressVPN app onto your device. Be sure to do this from either your official app store or the ExpressVPN website.
3. Install the app, open it, and log into ExpressVPN using the account details given to you at the end of step 1.
4. Select a server located in the same country as the Netflix region you want to access, eg; the United Kingdom.
5. Press Connect.
6. Open Netflix and proceed to use the service as usual with access to your new Netflix library.

If this doesn’t work, the simplest solution is to try another server in the same country by reconnecting or selecting a different city.

You shouldn’t need to try more than a couple to find one that works. It’s also worth clearing your browser’s web cache and browser history or the app data if you’re using the Netflix app.

If you are still having problems, contact the ExpressVPN customer support team. This service is free with an Express VPN account, and they are super-helpful no matter where you are. I’ve connected in the Himalayas, and they have sorted out my problems.

They will be able to help you deal with any issues and unblock Netflix library libraries in almost all Netflix countries, and access content to watch movies and TV series in any region on Netflix.

ExpressVPN is one of the best VPN apps, and it ensures you can change your Netflix location by altering your IP address.

Best VPNs to change your Netflix region

1. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is the premium VPN that has managed to keep accessing Netflix throughout the past few years, despite all efforts to block it. It remains the best VPN to use to change your Netflix region.

It comes with a server network of more than 3,000 VPNs located in 94+ different countries, including all of those with the most popular Netflix libraries.

ExpressVPN can unblock all of the different foreign Netflix libraries, including the in-demand US Netflix library, with no fear of the dreaded Netflix proxy error.

With a wide range of apps to choose from, you can install ExpressVPN onto almost any device, including mobile devices, through the Google Play Store or App Store and even Amazon Fire Sticks and TVs or any device connected to the internet using a LAN cable.

This means that no matter how you watch Netflix, ExpressVPN can help you to unblock it, even through the Netflix app with unlimited bandwidth. It works well with most other streaming platform providers too.

You also get up to five simultaneous connections, so you can access your Netflix subscription and change Netflix country on all of your devices at the same time. And as the name suggests, ExpressVPN offers super-fast speeds, which are ideal for streaming even the most data-intensive UHD content.

There is also a smart DNS settings feature you can use to boost speeds as well. Using their DNS proxy can improve speeds if you have a slow connection.

This VPN comes with a huge 30-day money-back guarantee and 24/7 live chat customer support, which helps to ensure that ExpressVPN is our top recommended VPN for changing Netflix region and altering your IP address settings.

It’s my go-to VPN and I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Our #1 Recommended VPN

30-day money back guarantee

2. NordVPN

NordVPN is another of the best Netflix VPN providers, and while it works every bit as well as the other VPNs on this list for accessing multiple Netflix regions, it does so slightly differently.

With NordVPN, you will be able to watch US library content from most of its server locations. This means that you can connect to their fastest server in Asia, Australia, or the UK and still unblock US Netflix and watch Netflix catalog shows easily, even with your existing WiFi settings.

This handy feature is also being expanded to other Netflix libraries too and allows you access to any region on Netflix. It’s worth checking out the UK Netflix library feature, too, and there are loads of other international Netflix libraries that can be unblocked as well.

This feature is still not 100% perfect, but it does work more often than not, and you will rarely have to try more than a couple of VPN server location options before finding one that works.

It also hides your IP addresses and can change Netflix regions without messing with your internet settings.

You can, of course, unblock Netflix accounts the more traditional way too. NordVPN has 5,799 servers in more than 60 countries available, as well as allowing up to six simultaneous connections with every account, which is ideal for those who want to unblock Netflix libraries from multiple Netflix countries.

There is an extensive range of superb NordVPN apps for just about any device that can support VPN apps. It will also work with other services like BBC iPlayer, Apple TV, and Amazon Prime Video.

Sadly there isn’t a DNS proxy available, but it’s no huge loss as the app works fine.

If you are torn between VPN or Smart DNS, NordVPN answers the question for you. There is a double-hop VPN server that I loved when travelling. They also have the option to reroute content through Tor and a VPN server for extra security.

NordVPN offers useful features like split tunnelling for extra security and privacy too. The connection speeds it offers are more than sufficient for streaming your favourite shows and movies.

With 24/7 live customer support, a 30-day money-back guarantee, and some low, low prices, NordVPN is another excellent option for Netflix users.

3. Surfshark

Surfshark VPN is still relatively young, but if you are looking for a VPN to change your Netflix region, this is another VPN service well worth considering.

Surfshark VPN works with all the most popular Netflix libraries, including the US, UK, Canada and Japan, as well as some rarer regions, including France, Germany, The Netherlands, India, South Korea, Italy, Australia, Turkey, Brazil & Singapore.

It gives you many VPN IP addresses to choose from to watch content from any Netflix region.

When it comes to remote desktop software, Surfshark has a great range of apps which are simple enough to use but not 100% perfect.

However, they compensate for that with unlimited connections, which means you can access multiple Netflix regions on as many different devices as you like at the same time.

The Surfshark server network is a big one, with more than 3,200 servers in 100+ countries worldwide.

It has a 24-7 live support service, some impressive speeds, and can unblock multiple other streaming services, such as the BBC iPlayer, on your smart TV and other devices.

Prices with Surfshark are incredibly competitive, too and with a 30-day money-back guarantee and all the security and privacy protections you need to protect your internet connection built-in, this is another great option for Netflix users.

4. CyberGhost

If you are new to VPN services and want a provider which offers a user-friendly service that can access Netflix libraries easily, CyberGhost is an excellent option for you.

It has some exceptional apps available on all the most popular devices and even Smart TVs, which offer simple, user-friendly features that anyone could use. Just click on the ‘For Streaming’ mode and you are good to go.

The CyberGhost VPN server network consists of more than 7,000 servers in no fewer than 91 different countries. It can unblock different Netflix libraries from all the most popular regions and some less popular ones too.

There is an inbuilt smart DNS proxy service which is ideal for streaming, and the connection speeds on offer are more than fast enough to stream Netflix without buffering or other interference.

Customer support is great, too, with a 24-7 support line, and there is also a substantial 45-day money-back guarantee which gives you almost six weeks to try it out for yourself.

Prices are very reasonable, too, and while CyberGhost VPN is great for beginners, it is perfect for everyone who wants to change Netflix region.

5. VyprVPN

Last but by no means least on our list is VyprVPN. This well-established provider has stepped up its game in recent years and can unblock the US Netflix region with ease.

If we are honest, it is a bit hit-and-miss with other regions, but in our tests, it worked more often than not in some of the popular locations. And let’s face it, the US Netflix region is the largest Netflix library most people want to access.

VyprVPN has a big but not colossal server network to choose from, with 700+ servers in 70 different locations. Connection speeds are both fast and reliable, which is perfect for those who want to change Netflix region over long distances.

There is a convenient VyprDNS smart DNS service. This standalone Smart DNS service offers faster streaming speeds but removes encryption making it less secure. For some users, this is an ideal streaming tool and a great addition to the VyprVPN arsenal.

VyprVPN apps are good but are limited to only the most popular devices at the moment. However, there are competitive prices and a 30-day money-back guarantee making this another VPN worth Netflix users’ consideration.

Does Netflix block VPNs?

Netflix doesn’t like its users using VPNs in this way. This is because, with the exception of Netflix Original content, they only hold the rights to stream their shows in certain countries.

If users stream content from one Netflix region in another country, Netflix could be breaching the terms of its contracts with that shows distributor.

As a result, Netflix has gone out of its way in recent years to try and block VPN service providers from accessing its service.

It does not support native VPN apps on the platform and employs high-tech tools to identify when you are using a VPN server to try and prevent a user to change Netflix region.

If Netflix detects that you are using a VPN, VPN router, or Smart DNS service, you will receive an error message telling you that you appear to be using a VPN service, unblocker, or a proxy server error and tells you to disconnect it.

The keyword in that last sentence is ‘if’.

Because a lot of VPN service providers have gone out of their way to ensure that their service can bypass Netflix’s VPN block and allow users to continue to change Netflix region and unblock different Netflix content libraries, and continue streaming Netflix shows.

Above we told you which are the five best VPNs to unblock Netflix libraries and not give you a proxy error when using any region on Netflix.

However, Netflix have recently changed their stance and in their ‘Watching TV shows and movies through a VPN’ section now say, “Watching Netflix while using a VPN isn’t allowed on an ad-supported plan.” Which doesn’t cover their paid plan.

Is it illegal to change your Netflix region?

No, it is generally accepted that using a VPN to change your Netflix library is not in any way illegal.

However, while Netflix’s terms and conditions don’t explicitly prohibit the use of VPNs, there is no doubt that it is something they frown on.

If they do catch you using a VPN, there is a chance they might suspend or even terminate your account. This is included in Netflix’s terms, although we are not aware of any instances where this has happened to date.

However with the recent change of terms that only specifically state when using an ad-supported plan you should expect them to be a little more lenient.

If you are in certain countries where using VPN services to access Netflix could be against local laws, that is a different matter, but the good news is that these countries are few and far between.

Before you do anything, always ensure you’re complying with local laws in your country.

How do I change my region on Netflix permanently?

If you are moving permanently to a different country and want to change your Netflix account region, this is something that Netflix permits with a few provisos.

The most important one will be having to keep paying the fee as it is in your original country. To change the fee, you will need to cancel your account and open a new one.

If that’s not a problem, you can just contact the Netflix support team to make the change. If it is, just cancel your account and then open a new one. This is a good option if you want to watch Netflix abroad.

There’s no way to permanently change your regular region to another unless you keep a specific VPN server location connected all the time or invest in a VPN router to do the same thing to all your devices via your Wi-Fi network.

VPNs and Netflix’s new password sharing policy

You may have read that Netflix has recently introduced a new policy to crack down on people sharing account passwords.

Their new system means that users can only log in with their account at a single registered address and family members and others living elsewhere will be unable to log in unless they have their own account or, in some countries, are added to a user’s account at an additional price.

There are ways that a VPN can help to get around this Netflix policy. We have tried out the NordVPN Meshnet service that allows you to reroute their internet traffic via the device of a friend or family.

This seemed to work most of the time as it results in users in different locations logging on with the same IP Address.

However, in our tests, it seemed as if this approach was only really effective some of the time.

Another possibility is to use Netflix through a web browser and then visit Netflix directly online. You could then potentially cast to a TV if you really wanted or hook up via a cable from a laptop to TV.

The new password sharing issue only seems to be a problem on streaming devices such as the Amazon Fire TV or on TV apps directly.

VPN or Smart DNS?

One of the questions we get asked regularly is whether a VPN really is the right tool to use to change your Netflix region or whether you would be better off using a Smart DNS Proxy server.

A Smart DNS Proxy is a tool that can be used to unblock Netflix and other geo-restricted content around the world. Proxy servers work in the same way as VPN servers to hide your IP Address and give you a new one from a different country.

However, when you connect to a Smart DNS Proxy server, your data will not be encrypted and protected. Proxy servers help to bypass geo-restrictions.But when you are connected to a proxy server your internet traffic is still vulnerable.

We would usually recommend a Smart DNS Proxy server if your internet speeds are a problem because the absence of encryption means they can be faster to use.

But if you have good speeds, a VPN is always advisable over a Smart DNS service, especially when services like Netflix that are on the lookout for people switching locations are concerned.

As you will have seen above, there are some VPNs that offer an inbuilt Smart DNS server feature alongside their VPN.

This means you can enjoy the best of both worlds and if you do think you need to connect to a Smart DNS server, then we would recommend opting for one of those.

Another question that sometimes arises is the option to connect to the Tor browser and bypass restrictions in that way.

Again, this could work but is usually even slower than a VPN. If you want to connect through the Tor browser, our suggestion would be to use a VPN like NordVPN which offers double-hop servers that send your internet data through a VPN server and the Tor browser for extra protection.

Using Tor directly would be too slow for streaming and is often discouraged.

Can I use a free VPN to change Netflix region?

You can certainly try, but in our experience, you will be lucky if you manage to change your Netflix region and enjoy all the benefits of your Netflix account when using a free VPN.

Free VPN providers usually come with limited server networks, slow speeds, and data limits, which make streaming all but impossible and the ability to access geo-restricted content a significant challenge.

There’s also the huge problem that most free services don’t work with Netflix. They either cannot provide you with a hidden IP address, or the server is so overcrowded that it is easy for Netflix to block VPN IP addresses from that server.

Some free VPNs actively throttle users’ internet traffic on popular streaming platforms to try and prevent you from streaming on their platforms. Therefore, a reputable VPN provider is recommended.

Given all the well-documented security and privacy issues that come with free VPNs, too, our strong advice is to find a few dollars a month for a premium VPN service if you possibly can.

Summary

Recap of what you need to change region.

If you want to know how to change your Netflix region, this guide contains all the information you need.

In short, all you need is a subscription to a premium VPN service that offers remote desktop software on devices and Smart TVs that you use to stream Netflix and, crucially, that are able to unblock the Netflix region you want to stream.

Finding the right VPN is the hard part, but we have provided you with a rundown of the top 5 VPN services based on our extensive testing and personal experiences but recommend ExpressVPN above others.

All you need to do is sign up, download the VPN app onto your devices, connect to a server in the Netflix region that you want to watch, and then open Netflix as usual.

It really is that simple and, as someone who has lived and worked abroad for many years, I can personally testify to the fact that this method absolutely does work.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a VPN for Netflix.

The hardest part of changing your Netflix region is finding the right VPN for the job.

There are a number of different features you need to look out for. The key ones to bear in mind are:

• Works with Netflix
• Servers in the right Netflix country
• Apps for your preferred streaming devices or Smart TVs
• Protects your internet traffic to stop Netflix from getting wind that you are using a VPN
• Fast and consistent connection speeds
• Cost-effective service and a money-back guarantee

Our Top Pick for the Best VPN for Netflix.

Here at VPNCompare, we are constantly testing all the top VPNs with Netflix and other streaming services like BBC iPlayer to ensure our recommendations are up-to-date and accurate and that we are providing the latest information to our readers.

That’s why we can say with huge confidence that ExpressVPN is the best VPN to use to change your Netflix region. No matter where you are in the world or which Netflix library you want to unblock, ExpressVPN can do the job for you.

It is the most consistently fast VPNs on the market, and it has a huge range of apps, a massive server network that covers all of the most popular Netflix locations, and plenty of other bells and whistles too.

There are other VPN providers out there that can help you to change your Netflix region. But none are quite as good as ExpressVPN, which is why they are our number one recommendation.