How to keep streaming on holiday (2026)
Your usual streaming apps stop working the moment you leave the country. Here is how to get Netflix, Disney+ and your home services back — wherever you are.
Why your apps stop working abroad
Streaming services license content country by country, so your library changes — or disappears — as soon as your IP address says you are somewhere new. A VPN puts you back on a server at home, and the apps behave exactly as they do on your sofa.
The fastest fix: a streaming VPN
A streaming VPN routes your connection through a server in your home country, fast enough for 4K and reliable enough to stay unblocked. Our top pick does this without the buffering you get from free tools.
The privacy benchmark — fully open-source, independently audited, and protected by Swiss privacy law. Fast servers unblock the major platforms, and there's a genuinely free plan with no data limit.
Set it up in three steps
-
1
Install the app
Download the VPN on your phone, laptop or smart TV and sign in.
-
2
Connect to home
Pick a server in your home country and wait for the green light.
-
3
Open your service
Launch your streaming app and press play as normal.
Our streaming shortlist
Frequently asked questions
Is it legal to use a VPN for streaming?
Yes. VPNs are legal in most countries; you are simply accessing services you already pay for.
Will a VPN slow my connection?
A little, but a good one keeps speeds high enough for 4K. Choose a nearby server to minimise the drop.
VPN Runner is reader-supported. If you sign up for a VPN through a link on our site, we may earn a commission — at no extra cost to you. It never affects our ratings or rankings: we test every service the same way and pay for our own subscriptions.
Tests real speeds and unblocking in the VPN Runner lab, and stands behind every recommendation in this guide.