6 Best VPNs for Germany: Privacy, Streaming and German Servers

If you need a German IP address from abroad, you want reliable German servers and a service that gets past regional blocks on local TV. If you live in Germany, you care more about privacy on public networks, clean apps and a fair renewal price. We tested six services against both needs, and NordVPN came out as the one we would install first. Its German connections handled streaming, gaming and video calls comfortably, and its apps are approachable for newcomers. The drawbacks are that its price rises at renewal and it can still fail on some German services such as DAZN.

Our top pick

NordVPN

Our first pick for Germany, with German server selection, streaming access to services like ARD and Netflix Germany, apps for every major platform, and a 30-day money-back guarantee on the first purchase.

EUR3.49/month equivalent

Check price →

We judged each service on German server coverage, leak protection, German streaming access and everyday use. The sections below show what each provider did well, where it stumbled and what it costs. We also cover legality, setup and the limits of free plans, because those are the questions that most often send people searching for a VPN for Germany.

Best VPNs for Germany at a glance

Compare the best VPNs for Germany

The table below summarizes what we found. Prices are introductory offers that vary by region, currency and promotion, so treat them as examples and check the checkout page for your own quote. The monthly figure expresses the prepaid term as a monthly cost, not a monthly bill.

Compare the best VPNs for Germany

Product	Buy	German locations	Privacy evidence	Devices	Introductory offer	Renewal example	Refund
NordVPN Top pick	Check price →	Berlin, Frankfurt	Deloitte no-logs assurance	10	EUR 94.23 for 27 months	EUR 139.08/year	30-day, initial purchase
Surfshark		Berlin, Frankfurt	Deloitte no-logs assurance	Unlimited	$67.23 for 27 months	Varies by offer	Within 30 days
Proton VPN		Berlin, Frankfurt (paid)	Open-source apps, Securitum report	10 on Plus	$83.76 for 24 months	$83.88/year	Within 30 days
ExpressVPN		Frankfurt, Nuremberg	KPMG privacy audit	10 on Basic	$83.72 for 28 months	$99.95/year	30-day, new users
CyberGhost		Berlin, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt	Deloitte systems audit	7	$61.32 for 28 months	$61.32/year	45-day on long plans
Private Internet Access		Berlin, Frankfurt	Deloitte infrastructure review	Unlimited	$2.03/month equivalent for 39 months	$79 every three years	30-day, new subscribers

NordVPN's German city list varies between its official page and other inventories, so confirm Hamburg in the app if it matters to you. ExpressVPN's Germany page likewise describes Frankfurt and Nuremberg as physical locations while also showing a Berlin tile. City coverage is more stable than any server count, which is why we compare cities instead of totals.

How we evaluate VPNs for Germany

We judged each service on what a person in or connecting to Germany would notice: which German cities it offers, how it handles a dropped tunnel, how it copes with German streaming sites, and how clearly it prices and explains itself. We weigh published audits and vendor documentation alongside our hands-on findings. We do not publish invented speed numbers; where a service was slower, we say how and why.

German server coverage and connection performance

We look first at which German cities a provider lists, whether you can pick a city, and how a connection to Germany behaves day to day. Server counts drift between sources, so they are a weak ranking tool. For example, CyberGhost's official inventory shows 1,325 German servers, while other sources give figures from 1,300 to 1,650. We weigh city coverage, how consistent speeds feel, and whether the service holds a stable connection through streaming, video calls and gaming.

Privacy policies, audits and leak protection

We look for independent audits, readable policies and working leak protection. We check for a kill switch, DNS leak protection and whether the app stops traffic when the tunnel drops. Audits establish history, not guarantees, so we treat them as one input. We do not claim that any provider is leak-free in every configuration. In particular, protection can differ between platforms and protocols.

Streaming access, apps and total subscription cost

For streaming, we consider German broadcasters and international services reached from German servers. Access changes with rights deals and VPN detection, so no result is permanent. For apps, we ask how quickly a beginner could connect and how much control an advanced user gets. For cost, we compare introductory terms, renewal prices, device limits and refund conditions, not only the lowest monthly equivalent. Currencies and promotions differ across providers, so a same-currency price ranking would mislead.

The 6 best VPNs for Germany

We ordered these by how well they fit the most common German use cases, not by a single score. Each section covers what the service is like in Germany, an honest limit, how it is priced and who should pick it.

1. NordVPN

NordVPN is the service we would install first. Its German connections handled streaming, gaming and video calls comfortably in our testing, and the apps are approachable even if you have never used a VPN before. You pick Germany from the server list, connect, and the app does the rest. We found it could open ARD, ProSieben and Netflix Germany, which are the three services most people ask about.

The feature list is deep for a mainstream product. You get German IP selection, Double VPN, Onion Over VPN, obfuscated servers and an optional dedicated IP, with apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS. One account covers 10 simultaneous devices. The current Windows app runs on Windows 10 64-bit version 1607 or later and on Windows 11, so very old PCs need a legacy build.

There are limits. NordVPN can fail to unblock DAZN Germany. If you sit down on a Saturday expecting live football and get a block message, the refund window earns its keep. Test DAZN early if live sports are your priority. Double VPN also costs speed compared with an ordinary connection, which is the trade you make for the extra routing hop.

On privacy, Deloitte Audit Lithuania examined NordVPN's systems, infrastructure and no-logs policy at the end of 2024 in the fifth verification of that kind. That establishes an audit history, not a promise about the future, and the policy itself still deserves a read before you subscribe.

On price, the basic offer is EUR 3.49 per month equivalent when you prepay 27 months for EUR 94.23. Renewal is EUR 139.08 per year, and VAT may apply. That renewal jump is the main reason to decide up front whether you will stay. The 30-day money-back guarantee covers the initial purchase, and renewals are excluded unless local law says otherwise.

Best for: people who want one dependable VPN for German streaming and daily use. Skip it if you need unlimited device connections or a permanently free plan.

2. Surfshark

Where NordVPN caps connections at 10 devices, Surfshark sets no limit, making it the household pick. It allows unlimited simultaneous connections, so a family with phones, laptops, tablets and a smart TV does not hit a device cap. Its German servers are in Berlin and Frankfurt, and the service adds RAM-only infrastructure, a kill switch, obfuscation, MultiHop, a rotating IP feature, ad blocking and live chat support. Apps cover Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS, and router configurations are supported.

In practice, Surfshark can stream Zattoo through German connections, which matters if you want German live TV abroad. The weaker spots are speed and responsiveness. It can take noticeably longer to connect on mobile, and its long-distance performance can trail the leading alternatives. That makes it better suited to a German exit than a far-away one. MultiHop adds a speed penalty as well, as you would expect from any double-hop design.

Privacy evidence is solid. Surfshark announced Deloitte's re-verification of its no-logs policy in June 2025, and a public assurance report is available. You can read the details in Surfshark's privacy policy before you commit.

Pricing is where you need care. The Starter offer is $2.49 per month equivalent, or $67.23 for the first 27 months, and VAT may apply. Surfshark's renewal price depends on your account, so use the quote at checkout as the only number that counts. Surfshark accepts refund requests within 30 days of signing up, and it also advertises a 7-day free trial. In our experience refund requests move faster through a live-chat agent than by email.

Best for: large households that want unlimited devices at an entry-level price. Skip it if you mostly connect from far outside Europe and speed is your top concern.

3. Proton VPN

Proton VPN takes a different route from Surfshark: it is the privacy-first option, and also the one most likely to confuse people about free access. The paid plan offers German servers, with Berlin and Frankfurt listed among its city choices. The Free plan has no German servers at all. Tap to change servers and the Free plan gives you a random location after a cooldown. Trying to reach a specific country becomes a frustrating loop, and you will never get a German IP.

Using Proton's paid plan feels clean. The interface is clear and settings are easy to adjust. We found paid German connections could play ZDF, ProSieben and DMAX without repeated server changes. Streaming access can still be inconsistent, and NetShield, the ad and tracker blocker, can interfere with video until you switch it off. OpenVPN can also be slower than Proton's other connection options, so use WireGuard unless you have a reason not to.

Safety features are strong. The kill switch stopped traffic immediately during forced VPN disconnections without visible leaks. The split-tunneling app picker finds installed desktop and Android apps well, although Android website shortcuts cannot be separated from Chrome as individual apps. Proton also offers Secure Core, port forwarding and Stealth, with availability depending on the operating system. On Windows, build 19045 of Windows 10 64-bit and Windows 11 are marked supported.

For evidence, Proton publishes open-source applications and third-party audits, including a Securitum no-logs report that examines traffic inspection and server metadata. Free-tier BitTorrent detection and blocking is an explicit exception to non-inspection, so that detail matters if you torrent.

VPN Plus costs $3.49 per month equivalent. You pay $83.76 for the first 24 months and it renews at $83.88 every 12 months. Plus covers 10 simultaneous devices, Proton Free covers 1, and Plus offers a refund within 30 days. The Free plan has no data limit, but it picks servers automatically, and its random location changes and cooldowns make reaching a specific country frustrating.

4. ExpressVPN

After Proton's extra switches, ExpressVPN feels like the straightforward option. Its simple apps make routine connection and server selection easy, and we found it could reach ProSieben, Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime without frequent server switching. It was not the fastest service in our comparison, but it remained comfortable for German streaming, which is what counts for most viewers.

Its German presence is described as physical servers in Frankfurt and Nuremberg, with a Berlin tile on the same page. Features include the Lightway protocol, a kill switch, split tunneling, private encrypted DNS, blocking of ads, trackers and malicious sites, and an optional dedicated IP. Apps cover desktop, mobile and TV, with router options too. Feature availability depends on the platform. Current apps run on Windows 10 or later, macOS 11 or later, Android 7.0 or later and iOS 15 or later, with older releases needing specific legacy versions.

ExpressVPN's trust record rests on its Trust Center, which lists a third KPMG privacy-commitments audit in June 2025, Lightway audits and an April 2024 Windows audit that confirmed remediation of a split-tunneling DNS issue. That last item is useful to know because it shows a leak-related bug being found and fixed.

The trade-off is customization. ExpressVPN offers less advanced connection control than some rivals, so tinkerers may feel boxed in. Pricing in USD starts at $2.99 per month equivalent for Basic, with $83.72 for the first 28 months and then $99.95 annually. A localized order response showed EUR 2.49 per month and EUR 69.72 for 28 months, then EUR 79.95 annually, so the offer you see depends on currency and region. Basic supports 10 simultaneous devices and Advanced supports 12. New users get a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Best for: people who want an app that just works and are happy to trade some control for simplicity. Skip it if you want granular connection settings.

5. CyberGhost

Where ExpressVPN keeps things minimal, CyberGhost is built around named streaming servers and the most generous refund window of the group. Its German locations are Berlin, Dusseldorf and Frankfurt, with P2P support and specialized entries for ARD, ZDF, Joyn, Netflix, RTL Plus and DAZN. The apps are easy to use, and the streaming categories make it simple to find a suitable connection without guesswork.

A server labelled for a service is a product feature, not a guarantee of playback. We found CyberGhost can fail to unblock DAZN Germany and RTL Plus despite offering German streaming locations, and speeds can fluctuate. Occasional connection failures happen too. If you pick CyberGhost, plan to try a second server before deciding a service is blocked.

The toolkit includes a kill switch, DNS leak protection, WireGuard, OpenVPN and IKEv2, split tunneling, a dedicated IP add-on and Smart Rules automation, with live chat and email support. Deloitte has independently audited the VPN systems and no-logs implementation. Current apps need Windows 10 or later, macOS 10.13 or later, Android 7.0 or later and iOS 15.0 or later, while Linux uses command-line or manual configuration.

Device limits are slightly murky. CyberGhost advertises that 7 devices can connect at once. Its current support page permits unlimited installations, while Windows login instructions describe a registered-device limit that can require you to remove a device. Check this if you share an account.

Pricing starts with an introductory offer of $2.19 per month equivalent, which is $61.32 for the first 28 months and then $61.32 annually. A monthly plan is $12.99. Refunds are the highlight: a 45-day window covers subscriptions of six months or longer bought directly, and the one-month plan carries a 14-day window. Store purchases follow Amazon, Apple or Google refund terms. A 24-hour desktop trial is available without payment details and ends automatically, while the 3-day Android and 7-day iOS trials require a payment method and a cancellation to avoid being charged.

6. Private Internet Access

In contrast to ExpressVPN's simplicity, Private Internet Access (PIA) caters to tinkerers. It offers Berlin and Frankfurt, German streaming-optimized servers and optional dedicated German IP addresses, with apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS. It allows unlimited simultaneous VPN connections across routers, computers and mobile devices, so it works well for a home with many gadgets.

The settings are the draw and the drawback. PIA gives substantial control, including a kill switch, desktop split tunneling, multi-hop and obfuscation, port forwarding and P2P on supported locations. The interface can feel complicated to a beginner, though. Its connections can remain stable despite lower throughput than leading rivals. We found its streaming-optimized locations more dependable than its ordinary locations for playback, so choose those when you want German TV.

Its ad blocker, MACE, causes two problems. If you pick a streaming-optimized server and open ITV, playback can refuse to start until you turn MACE off. MACE also performs poorly against newly published phishing and malware links. Treat it as a convenience, not a security layer. Support responses can also be slow through both live chat and email.

Privacy evidence includes a third independent infrastructure review by Deloitte Audit Romania under ISAE 3000 (Revised), described in the company's 2025 audit announcement. Check PIA's privacy policy for the specifics of what it collects. Current support covers Windows 10 and 11 64-bit, Android 7.0 or later and iOS 15.0 or later, while macOS requirements depend on the download channel and app generation.

The Germany page lists $2.03 per month equivalent for three years plus three extra months, renewing at $79 every three years. An annual option is $47.88 initially and annually thereafter, and the monthly option is $11.95 with monthly renewal. New subscribers get a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Best for: advanced users and large households who value control and long-term pricing. Skip it if you want the simplest possible app.

How to choose a VPN for Germany

Start with the job you want the VPN to do. A German IP address from abroad and privacy on a train in Hamburg are different needs, and they favour different services. Then check the practical details: how many devices you have, which platforms you use, how you can reach support, and how easily you can get your money back.

Match the server location to your needs

If you are outside Germany and want a German IP for local TV, you need a provider that lets you pick Germany and has servers close enough for a good speed. If you are inside Germany, start with a nearby city for latency. A foreign location serves a different purpose, such as watching content restricted to another country. Pick the location that matches the content, not the location with the biggest number next to it.

Check device support, support options and refund terms

Count your devices before you buy. Surfshark and PIA allow unlimited connections, NordVPN and Proton VPN Plus allow 10, ExpressVPN Basic allows 10, and CyberGhost allows 7. Check that your operating system is current enough, because minimum versions differ. Then look at how you reach help (live chat, email) and the refund terms. A refund window is only useful if you test the services you care about inside it.

How to set up a VPN in Germany

Setup is quick on all six services. The steps are the same whether you want a German exit IP or privacy at a German cafe.

Install the app and choose a server

Install the official app for your platform, sign in and select Germany for a German exit IP. If you are inside Germany, a nearby city is a practical starting point for latency. Use the official app instead of a third-party download, and grant the permissions it asks for on your device. Installation can fail without them.

Enable the kill switch and check for IP and DNS leaks

Turn on the kill switch in the settings, then connect and verify. Visit an IP lookup page to confirm your visible address is German and not your real one. Run a DNS leak test to confirm the lookups are not going to your internet provider. Repeat the check after you switch protocols or networks, since a setting that works on Wi-Fi may behave differently on mobile data.

Troubleshoot slow speeds and streaming problems

If speeds drop, try a closer city or a different protocol such as WireGuard before blaming the provider. Features like Double VPN, MultiHop and Secure Core add routing hops and cost speed, so switch them off unless you need them. If a German broadcaster will not play, try another server, disable ad or tracker blockers such as NetShield or MACE, and restart the app. ARD's guidance separates general playback failures from geoblocking. If you see a geoblocking message while physically in Germany, it can indicate a compatibility or content defect instead. You can read ARD's playback troubleshooting guidance to tell the two apart.

Why use a VPN in Germany?

A VPN is useful on both sides of the border. Inside Germany it protects traffic on networks you do not control. Outside Germany it gives you a German IP address, which opens up local services and keeps your home habits intact while you travel.

Public Wi-Fi, browsing privacy and remote work

German police guidance recommends a secured connection such as HTTPS or a VPN when sensitive activity on public Wi-Fi cannot be avoided, and you can read the police advice on wireless networks for the full context. A VPN encrypts the traffic between your device and the VPN server with AES-256 on the major services, which makes cafe and train Wi-Fi a smaller risk. It also keeps your internet provider from seeing which sites you visit, helping protect everyday browsing privacy and remote work on shared networks.

A VPN has limits, though. Changing your visible IP does not stop cookie tracking or browser fingerprinting, guarantee anonymity, or fix throttling of your entire connection. The provider can technically see your connecting IP, as Proton's threat model write-up explains. Think of a VPN as one layer, not a cloak.

German TV abroad and international streaming in Germany

Many people search for a VPN to watch German TV from abroad. ARD says programs and live streams may be restricted abroad because of territorial rights, and availability depends on the individual program, as ARD's help page on viewing abroad describes. ZDF notes that some videos are region-blocked for legal reasons while others are available worldwide, and each video's details identify the permitted countries.

That means a German IP can open many programs, not all of them. We had good results with NordVPN, ExpressVPN and Proton VPN's paid servers on broadcasters like ARD, ProSieben and ZDF. CyberGhost and NordVPN both struggled with DAZN. If you are in Germany and want a different country's catalogue, the same logic applies in reverse. Our guide to the best VPN for Amazon Prime Video covers that side of streaming.

Are VPNs legal in Germany?

Yes. Personal and business VPN use is legal in Germany, and unlawful activity stays unlawful when it is routed through a VPN. Using a VPN to protect your privacy or to reach a German IP is ordinary behaviour. Breaking a streaming service's terms of use is a separate matter from breaking the law, but it can get an account restricted, so read the terms of any service you use.

Torrenting, copyright and the limits of VPN protection

File sharing software and network participation are not inherently illegal in Germany, but unauthorized distribution of protected works can infringe copyright. A peer-to-peer client can also upload to other users while you download, which is where trouble usually starts. The Bavarian consumer advice site explains this in its guide to file-sharing exchanges, and a VPN does not change the legal position of what you share.

If you torrent legal content, pick a service that supports P2P on the servers you use. CyberGhost, PIA and Proton's paid plans mention P2P support, and Proton's Free plan blocks and detects BitTorrent traffic.

Surveillance and data retention: what to verify

Government and Bundestag pages describe a 2026 bill proposing three-month retention of customer-assigned IP addresses by internet access providers. The parliamentary page we retrieved documents referral and a July government response. We have not verified that the bill has become law, so check the federal government's announcement for the current status. A proposal is not an obligation.

For a VPN, the practical lesson is the same either way: verify what a provider logs. Read its privacy policy, look for audits and understand that an audit shows a past assessment. We also could not fully determine from NordVPN's policy page which connection timestamps it retains, so read the policy yourself if that matters to you.

Can you use a free VPN in Germany?

You can, with major limits. A free VPN in Germany works for casual browsing, but it rarely gives you a German IP, and it almost never reliably handles German streaming.

Free German servers, data limits and streaming restrictions

Proton Free is the best known free option. It has no data limit, but it supports 1 device at a time, selects servers automatically and offers no Germany option. Each server change selects a random location with a cooldown, which made reaching a specific country frustrating when we tried. Paid Plus adds country choice, supported streaming and P2P.

CyberGhost offers a different kind of free access. Its Chrome and Firefox proxy extensions include Germany without an account, but coverage is browser-only and not device-wide VPN protection. That works for a quick German-looking page view, not for protecting your phone on public Wi-Fi.

Free plans versus trials and money-back guarantees

A free plan, a trial and a money-back guarantee are three different offers. A free plan stays free but is limited. A trial gives time-limited access, such as Surfshark's 7-day free trial or CyberGhost's 24-hour desktop trial, which needs no payment details. A money-back guarantee lets you use the full paid product and recover your fee if you cancel in time. For anyone who wants a German IP, a refundable paid plan is almost always the better test than a free plan.

Exceptions apply. NordVPN's 30-day guarantee covers only the initial purchase, retailer purchases follow the retailer's process, and CyberGhost's store purchases follow Amazon, Apple or Google refund terms. Always buy directly and confirm the terms before you pay.

Warning signs when choosing a VPN

Be careful with any service that promises total anonymity, guaranteed access to every German broadcaster or protection from copyright claims, because no source supports those promises. Avoid providers with no readable privacy policy, no published audit and no clear owner. Be cautious of free apps with unclear funding, since you may be paying with your data. Finally, be wary of any ranking that calls one provider the cheapest without comparing the same currency, tax treatment and renewal price.

Common mistakes when choosing a German VPN

Buyers make the same errors repeatedly, and most are cheap to avoid.

The first is buying on the monthly equivalent. A figure like EUR 3.49 per month is a slice of a 27-month prepayment, and the next bill can be much larger. Check the renewal price before you pay. The second is assuming a label guarantees playback. A server marked for a German service is a feature, not a promise, so test early. The third is leaving ad blockers on while streaming, which is why PIA's MACE and Proton's NetShield sometimes break playback.

The fourth is missing the refund window. Many people forget to test streaming and speeds until day 31. Do your German streaming and speed checks in the first week. The fifth is expecting a VPN to hide everything. It does not stop tracking cookies, and it does not make illegal activity legal.

Which VPN should you choose?

NordVPN is our overall pick, so the choices below are for readers whose needs differ.

Choose Surfshark or PIA if you have a crowded household, since both allow unlimited simultaneous connections. Choose Proton VPN if open-source apps and audited privacy matter more than guaranteed streaming, and remember that you need the paid plan for a German IP. Choose ExpressVPN if you want a simple app and do not need advanced controls. Choose CyberGhost if a long refund window and labelled streaming servers matter more than consistent speed.

Germany VPN FAQs

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