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Which is the best VPN in Germany: Options guide
We'll help you choose the best VPN in Germany by analyzing and comparing five of the top providers on the market.
If you’re planning to spend some time in Germany while working remotely and exploring the country, there are a few practical things worth keeping in mind. In April 2026, the German government approved a bill requiring internet providers to retain users’ IP addresses for three months. Some streaming platforms, including ARD, ZDF, Joyn, and DAZN, also restrict access based on your location. That’s why choosing the best VPN in Germany can help protect your privacy and improve access to local content.
Germany is one of Europe’s most popular bases for remote workers and digital nomads. Whether you’re drawn to Berlin’s thriving startup and coworking culture, Frankfurt’s role as a business and tech powerhouse, or the high standard of living in cities like Munich and Hamburg, you’ll find plenty of reasons to settle in. Fast internet, easy access to Wi-Fi, and an open web make it a convenient place to work from almost anywhere.
Below, we’ve compared five VPNs that stand out for remote workers and digital nomads in Germany, highlighting their strengths, privacy features, and overall value.
Before using a VPN in Germany: A connectivity tip
A VPN only works well if your internet connection is stable. Big German cities have great internet, but when you travel, you often end up using public Wi-Fi on trains, airports, or shared spaces, and those aren’t always safe.
The easiest way to have internet as soon as you arrive is a Holafly eSIM for Germany. It gives you unlimited data from the moment you land, without using roaming from your home carrier. You can activate it before your trip, so it works right away. No need to queue at the airport for a SIM card or deal with paperwork.
If Germany is just one stop on a longer Europe trip or you plan to stay for a few months, Holafly’s monthly plans are more convenient. You set it up once, pick a plan, pay, and scan a QR code, and you’re done. It renews automatically so you don’t have to worry about it.
Holafly’s plans include either 25 GB or unlimited data, and its eSIM works worldwide. That means you can stay connected in over 160 countries, making it perfect if you’re crossing borders without having to buy a new eSIM each time.
Why use a VPN in Germany?
Germany has a free and uncensored internet. So why would a digital nomad want to use a VPN there?
One reason is the proposed IP retention law. On April 22, 2026, the German government approved a draft law that would require internet providers to store users’ IP addresses for three months for police investigations. It still needs parliament approval and has been rejected before by the Constitutional Court, but it’s still a good reason to encrypt your traffic now. A VPN makes any data your ISP stores basically useless.
If you’re working from Germany, some services from your home country may block access when they see a German IP. And if you want to use German platforms like ARD, ZDF, Joyn, DAZN, or RTL+ from abroad, you’ll need a German IP. A VPN solves both problems.
Another thing to know as a digital nomad is Wi-Fi safety. When you work from cafés in Berlin, coworking spaces in Frankfurt, or trains, you often use public or shared networks. These can be risky and open to attacks. A VPN encrypts your connection and keeps your activity safe.
Finally, keep in mind that Germany is one of the European countries most active when it comes to copyright claims. Law firms often send “abmahnungen” (warning letters) to users whose IP addresses are spotted on unauthorized download networks. A VPN masks your real IP address, adding an extra layer of privacy if you accidentally access copyrighted content.
What are the best VPNs for Germany? General comparison
Below is a comparison of some of the best VPNs for Germany. The VPN market is very competitive, with many well-known providers offering good services. We chose five to compare their main features, starting with a quick overview and then looking at them in more detail.
| VPN | Location change | Simultaneous connections | Speed throttling | Supported protocols | Price (starting at) |
| Proton VPN | Over 145 countries | 10 | 6% | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, Stealth | $2.99/month |
| Mullvad VPN | Over 50 countries | 5 | 6% | WireGuard, OpenVPN (with Bridges) | ~$5.75/month |
| IPVanish | Over 75 countries | Unlimited | 5% | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 | $2.28/month |
| Windscribe | 69 countries | Unlimited | 10% | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, Stealth, WStunnel | $5.75/month |
| PrivateVPN | Over 63 countries | 10 | 15-20% | OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard, L2TP | $2/month |
1- Proton VPN
Proton VPN has servers in Berlin and Frankfurt, Germany’s main internet hubs. This means you can get a German IP with low delay, access sites like ARD, ZDF, Joyn, DAZN, Arte, and Pro7 from anywhere, and have fast, stable connections for video calls while in Germany.
Proton VPN also offers servers optimized for streaming, including major German platforms. For expats or digital nomads who want to keep watching German content from abroad, or access their usual services while in Germany, it solves the issue at the source.
What makes Proton VPN stand out is its Secure Core feature, which sends your traffic through servers in Switzerland or Iceland before going online. With Germany’s IP retention plans, this extra layer helps hide your real location, even if an ISP logs data. It’s also open source, its no-logs policy has been independently audited, and it’s headquartered in Switzerland, which has strong privacy protections.
In terms of performance, Proton VPN’s VPN Accelerator technology improves long-distance connections and can reach speeds of up to 10 Gbps on selected servers. It also stands out for its free plan, which offers unlimited data with no credit card required, and includes servers in countries like the Netherlands, Romania, Poland, Japan, the United States, and more.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Servers in Berlin and Frankfurt with access to over 90 streaming services | The free plan does not include servers in Germany |
| Secure Core feature to add an extra layer of protection against IP retention | Higher renewal price once the initial plan expires |
| Audited open-source apps and headquarters in Switzerland | Some advanced features are only available on the paid plan |
| Free plan with unlimited data, no credit card required | |
| Unblocks ARD, ZDF, Joyn, DAZN, Arte, and Pro7 (verified in 2026) |
2- Mullvad VPN
Mullvad also has its own servers in Germany (Frankfurt and Düsseldorf), but what makes this VPN especially relevant for this destination isn’t just its network coverage.
Germany has one of the strongest privacy cultures in the world, and Mullvad follows the same approach. It doesn’t ask for an email, doesn’t keep browsing history, and you don’t need any personal details to sign up (just a 16-digit number).
In 2023, Swedish police raided Mullvad’s offices and found no user data to hand over. Their servers are owned and run on RAM, so everything is wiped on every reboot. The pricing is flat, with no discounts for long-term plans or inflated renewals. For many users, that’s also a plus.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Own physical servers in Frankfurt and Düsseldorf | Not the best VPN for streaming |
| Completely anonymous registration, no email or personal information required | Allows only five simultaneous connections |
| Proven track record of privacy during a 2023 police raid | No live chat support |
| Fixed monthly price with no contracts or inflated renewal fees | Smaller server network than major providers |
| Accepts payments in cash, cryptocurrency, and anonymous vouchers | No free plan or trial period |
3- IPVanish
Like Proton VPN, IPVanish has dozens of servers in Frankfurt. For digital nomads working from Berlin who need access to their usual content, or for those traveling outside Germany who still want to reach local platforms, this is a clear advantage.
Its main feature is unlimited devices. You can use it on your laptop, phone, tablet, and more with one subscription. In tests, its European servers reduced download speeds by less than 5%.
Its no-logs policy has been confirmed by an independent audit. It supports WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2, works on all major operating systems, and also on Fire TV and routers. It also includes a Double VPN feature, which adds an extra layer of encryption by routing traffic through two servers.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Servers in Germany | No free plan or trial without a credit card |
| Unlimited simultaneous connections with no device restrictions | Based in the United States, part of the Five Eyes alliance |
| Excellent speed performance, with a speed reduction of less than 5% on European servers | No customer support in other languages |
| No-logs policy verified by an independent audit | The advanced interface may be overwhelming for new users |
| Very affordable entry-level price compared to similar competitors | Server network with limited coverage outside North America and Europe |
4- Windscribe
In 2021, Ukrainian authorities seized two Windscribe servers in search of user data and found nothing. Since then, the entire infrastructure has run on RAM-only servers. It’s a VPN that has proven in a real-world seizure that its no-logs policy is more than just marketing.
Windscribe has servers in Germany and works in 69 countries with over 115 cities. It also has a Build-A-Plan option, which is useful for digital nomads: you only pay for the countries you choose, $1 per location per month. For example, if you travel between Germany, Spain, and the UK, you can pick just those and pay less than a normal plan.
The R.O.B.E.R.T. system blocks ads, trackers, and malware at the network level, so you don’t need browser extensions. In Germany, where digital privacy is taken very seriously, having server-level tracker blocking adds an extra layer of peace of mind.
Like Proton VPN, it offers a very good free plan, except that in this case it provides 10 GB of data per month.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| No-logs policy proven by the actual seizure of servers in 2021 | Based in Canada, part of the Five Eyes surveillance alliance |
| Build-A-Plan system: You only pay for the countries you need | Only a three-day money-back guarantee |
| Unlimited simultaneous connections on all plans | No live chat support (ticket system only) |
| R.O.B.E.R.T. blocker customizable at the network level | The app may be difficult for new users to navigate |
| Free plan with 10 GB/month, no credit card required | The Pro plan is more expensive than several competitors |
5- PrivateVPN
PrivateVPN is the cheapest option in this comparison, with plans starting at $2 per month, and like the others, it has servers in Germany. It’s a Swedish company with a network of 200 servers across more than 63 countries. It’s smaller than some of the other providers on this list, but still enough for most common digital nomad needs.
It includes a Stealth mode that hides VPN traffic by making it look like regular web traffic, which can help on networks with active filters. The service supports up to ten simultaneous connections and works with OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard, with manual setup options for Linux and routers. It also accepts Bitcoin, allowing for more anonymous payments.
The main downside is speed. In tests with European servers, PrivateVPN showed bigger speed drops than the others in the comparison, especially during peak hours. It’s usually fine for video calls and everyday work, but not ideal if you regularly need to transfer large files.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Lowest price in the comparison, starting at $2/month | Slower speeds than other providers on European servers during testing |
| Servers in Frankfurt and Nuremberg with access to ZDF, ARD, and TV Now | Small server network (200 servers in 63 countries) |
| Stealth VPN feature to disguise VPN traffic as normal web traffic | No dedicated servers for streaming on all German platforms |
| Accepts Bitcoin payments for greater anonymity when subscribing | The app may experience occasional connection issues with dedicated servers |
| Seven-day free trial and 30-day money-back guarantee | No customer support in other languages |
The best VPN for digital nomads and remote workers in Germany
Proton VPN is the option we’d recommend to most people traveling or working remotely in Germany.
It has local servers in Berlin and Frankfurt, unblocks more than 90 streaming services including major German platforms, and its Secure Core feature adds an extra layer of privacy that’s especially relevant in light of the April 2026 IP retention proposal.
The free plan with unlimited data is still one of the best if you want to try it first. It also has a very large global server network, works on many devices and systems, and is based in Switzerland, a country known for its strong privacy protections.
Just remember that Proton VPN works best with a stable internet connection. Holafly helps you stay connected reliably. With these two essential tools in place, you’re all set to enjoy everything Germany has to offer.
Frequently asked questions about the best VPNs for Germany
Yes, using a VPN in Germany is completely legal for privacy and work purposes. There are no laws restricting it. What is regulated is how you use it: a VPN doesn’t make illegal activities legal, such as downloading copyrighted content without permission.
Germany has a very active legal system when it comes to copyright. If an IP address is detected sharing protected content on unauthorized P2P networks, specialized law firms can send warning letters to the owner of that IP demanding payment. A VPN hides your real IP address, removing the risk of being identified.
Not yet. On April 22, 2026, the German cabinet approved a draft law that would require internet providers to store users’ IP addresses for three months. It still needs parliamentary approval and similar laws have previously been struck down by Germany’s Constitutional Court as unconstitutional. However, the proposal is already on the table and could still become law.
Yes, if you use a VPN with servers in Germany. ARD Mediathek, ZDF Mediathek, Joyn, and RTL+ are blocked outside the country. With a German server, you get a local IP and can access them as if you were in Germany. Proton VPN, IPVanish, and PrivateVPN are known to work with these platforms.
For everyday use, WireGuard is usually the best option thanks to its speed, security, and low battery use. Germany doesn’t impose VoIP restrictions or use active filtering, so you usually don’t need stealth or obfuscation protocols under normal conditions.
For basic privacy on public Wi-Fi, Proton VPN’s free plan is enough: unlimited data and no ads. The downside is that it doesn’t have servers in Germany, so you can’t access German content or get a German IP. For that, you need a paid plan.
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Hi! I'm a Spanish-English translator working with Holafly, helping bring travel content to life for curious travelers. As a digital nomad with a passion for exploring, I'm always adding new spots to my bucket list. If you love to travel like me, stick around because you're in the right place to find inspiration for your next trip! ✈️🌍
