How to watch Italian TV from abroad

Heading abroad and don't want to miss a single episode of your Italian TV shows? This guide will tell you how to watch Italian TV from abroad safely by using a VPN. 

Are you an Italian expat with a yearning to catch up on episodes of “L’Amica Geniale” or “Un Medico in Famiglia”? Or perhaps you’re hoping to brush up on your language skills prior to a vacation? In either case, a VPN can help you watch Italian TV abroad – this article tells you exactly how to do it. 

A virtual network provider (VPN) allows users to spoof their IP address, simply by connecting to any server in the VPN provider’s network. If, for example, they connect to a server in Italy, their device assumes the Italian IP address of that server. Furthermore, the user’s internet traffic is encrypted between their device and the VPN server, which makes it impossible for their ISP to see their online activities. 

This article recommends the best VPNs for streaming Italian content abroad. We’ll get into more detail about individual VPN providers later. For now, here’s a summary of our top choices.

Best VPNs for streaming Italian TV from abroad: 

1. NordVPN: Our top choice for streaming Italian TV. Has 60+ RAM-only servers in Italy,  as well as fast connection speeds, one-click access to the Tor network, and obfuscation that works in China. Plans come with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee. 
2. Surfshark: Best budget VPN for watching Italian TV. Offers unlimited device connections, a Linux app with a full GUI, and RAM-only servers in Rome and Milan. Excellent for streaming and allows bespoke MultiHop connections. 
3. ExpressVPN: Has RAM-only servers in Milan and Cosenza suitable for streaming Italian TV. Connections are very fast and secure, with obfuscation available for China. It has a dedicated app for routers and an Onion site on the Tor network. 
4. Proton VPN: Great for streaming both Italian TV and content from international platforms. Has 36+ servers in Milan and one high-security server routing traffic via Switzerland. Allows users up to 10 simultaneous device connections. 
5. PrivateVPN: Fast connection speeds and a server in Milan for streaming Italian TV from abroad. Its stealth mode works in China and it allows port forwarding for more efficient torrenting.
6. Atlas VPN: Italian servers available in Milan and fast connection speeds. Works with all major streaming platforms and allows unlimited device connections. Can rotate users’ IP addresses in-session via Safe Swap servers.
7. CyberGhost: Notably fast connection speeds and easy access to streaming services. Has 123+ servers in Milan and 68+ in Rome. Issues quarterly transparency reports and has an audited no-logs policy.   

Summary table

How to watch Italian TV from anywhere

Follow these simple steps to watch Italian TV from anywhere:

1. Choose a VPN with servers in Italy. We recommend NordVPN.
2. Sign up for a subscription. Note that longer terms are almost always better value. 
3. Download and install the relevant app for your device.
4. Restart the device once installation is complete. 
5. Open the newly installed app and choose “Italy” from the server list of available countries.
6. Click the “connect” button.
7. Wait until the app tells you that a connection has been established.
8. Visit an Italian on-demand TV-streaming service and use it as you would any other streaming platform. 

Choosing the best VPN from the hundreds on offer isn’t easy, which is why we used the following criteria to narrow the field.

• Servers in Italy
• Fast connection speeds
• Ability to access Italian and international streaming services
• Strong privacy and security features
• Good value for money
• Easy-to-use apps
• Responsive customer support

To be included as one of our top three providers, we also require VPNs to have a RAM-only server network, independently audited software and infrastructure, effective obfuscation, and a location beyond the reach of cross-border spying alliances. You can read more about our testing methodology later in this article.

Best VPNs for watching Italian TV from abroad 

Here's a detailed list of our favorite VPNs for watching Italian TV abroad:

NordVPN has – through a combination of canny marketing and strength of service – established itself as the go-to provider for millions of people. It provides exceptional connection speeds and easy access to all of the most popular streaming platforms. 

It has 60+ RAM-only servers in Italy, which allow users to watch Italian TV from wherever they are in the world. Servers are also available in 59+ other countries, many of which are optimized for specific tasks – whether that’s P2P file-sharing, bypassing censorship, or accessing Onion sites.

NordVPN protects internet traffic using AES-256 encryption, together with SHA384 for authentication, and a 3072-bit DHE-RSA key exchange. Security is bolstered with features such as a kill switch that disables specific apps if the connection drops; protection against WebRTC, DNS, and IPv6 leaks; and a Threat Protection tool that blocks ads, trackers, and malicious websites. 

The company has its own connection protocol and a tool called MeshNet, which enables anyone – not just subscribers – to establish secure point-to-point connections for remote file access. NordVPN has had multiple independent audits of its infrastructure and software, which have served to verify its no-logs claims.

In 2018, NordVPN experienced an incident involving a third-party data center in Finland. In response to the attack, NordVPN bought all of its servers and began the process of colocation. This involves housing servers in purpose-built data centers managed by the company itself. 

BEST VPN FOR WATCHING ITALIAN TV: NordVPN is our recommended VPN. It has 60+ servers in Italy and provides easy access to all major streaming platforms. Connections are fast and plans come with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee. 

Surfshark offers a reasonably priced service that outperforms many of its more expensive competitors. It’s able to access all of the most popular streaming platforms, allows users to connect as many devices as they want simultaneously, and has RAM-only servers in 100+ countries.

In Italy, servers are available in Rome and Milan that can be used for bypassing Italian TV geo-restrictions. Connections are fast enough for streaming 4K content without buffering – provided that your base speed is up to it. Surfshark can provide static IP addresses, though these are limited to servers outside of Italy.   

Security features include AES-256 encryption, leak protection, and a kill switch. More interestingly, the company’s Nexus technology enables users to rotate their IP address at regular intervals. It also enables them to create bespoke MultiHop connections by choosing entry and exit servers. Surfshark’s NoBorders Mode obfuscates traffic so that it can bypass blocks in countries like China.

Surfshark provides apps for all of the major operating systems. Its Linux app even has a full GUI. Audited browser extensions are available for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. The company has a transparent privacy policy and its zero logs claims has been verified through third-party audits. 

GREAT VALUE: Surfshark has plenty of Italian servers, very fast connection speeds, and options for rotating IP addresses in-session. Subscriptions include unlimited device connections and come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

ExpressVPN has built a solid reputation for security and reliability. 

The service works with a wide variety of streaming platforms and the company has servers in Milan and Cosenza that can provide access to Italian TV. RAM-only servers are also available in 93+ other countries. 

ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer tool is a free Smart DNS service that enables users to access streaming platforms from devices such as smart TVs and games consoles.

Other features include a kill switch, default obfuscation, DNS leak protection, split tunneling, and a choice of protocols. These include the company’s Lightway protocol, which is even more lightweight than the industry standard, WireGuard. 

ExpressVPN apps are available for all the main operating systems. There’s even an app for routers, which lets users protect every device on their home network, regardless of whether it natively supports VPN software. 

In 2021, ExpressVPN underwent a change in ownership and was acquired by Kape Technologies. Prior to its rebranding as a cybersecurity company – and before becoming publicly listed – Kape Technologies specialized in creating software aimed at injecting adware into users' web browsers. 

For its part, ExpressVPN has said that it will continue operating as a separate brand and service. The company continues to adhere to a strict no-logs policy and has had multiple audits of its software and infrastructure. 

TRUSTED SERVERS: ExpressVPN has RAM-only servers in the Italian cities of Milan and Cosenza. It can access a range of streaming platforms and has very fast speeds via a proprietary connection protocol. Plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Proton VPN is well-regarded among journalists and activists, many of whom have used the secure ProtonMail client in the past. The Proton VPN service has good value subscriptions and provides excellent access to all of the major streaming platforms. 

The company has 36+ servers in Milan and one Italian Secure Core server that routes traffic through a high-security Proton VPN data center in Switzerland. Connection speeds are fast, and helped along by a VPN Accelerator tool that uses a modified version of OpenVPN to boost long-distance connections. 

ProtonVPN is an excellent choice for more advanced users, as it enables the creation of specific profiles. It’s possible, for example, to configure a single-click connection to a streaming-optimized server in Italy over WireGuard.

The company allows port forwarding and split-tunneling, which is great for torrenters. The former allows for more efficient seeding and leeching, while the latter can ensure the torrent client is always protected, even when using other apps outside the VPN tunnel.  

Apps are available for the Android, iOS, Mac, Windows, and Linux platforms, and come equipped with AES-256 encryption; IPv6 and DNS leak protection; a kill switch; and a malware and tracker-blocker. 

The company has undertaken third-party audits of its software and infrastructure, which have verified its zero-logs policy. 

SPEED BOOST: Proton VPN has 36+ servers in Milan able to help users access Italian TV as well as international platforms. It allows port forwarding, up to 10 device connections, and fast downloads. Plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. 

PrivateVPN is a resolutely independent provider and a good alternative to the more corporate offerings available. It provides a high level of customer support and offers remote control assistance to subscribers who need it.

PrivateVPN has a server in Milan that subscribers can use to access Italian TV, and fast connection speeds that ensure buffer-free streaming. The provider also works with international platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, ESPN, Disney+, HBO, Crunchyroll, and BBC iPlayer.

Using Stealth Mode, subscribers can establish connections in countries such as China, where internet use is restricted. Other features include a kill switch, split tunneling, built-in DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and up to 10 simultaneous device connections.

Apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire TV. They allow users to adjust the level of encryption used on their data, as well as choose between a range of connection protocols.

The company has a strict no-logs policy and sets itself apart as its own server host and ISP, which helps improve network security. PrivateVPN is based in Sweden, a member of the SIGINT Seniors Europe international intelligence-sharing alliance, though the country does have strong data privacy laws. 

STEALTH MODE: Has a server in Milan able to provide access to Italian TV channels. Works well with international streaming platforms. Allows port forwarding and can bypass Chinese blocks. Plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. 

Atlas VPN offers users a winning combination of unlimited device connections, easy access to the most popular streaming platforms, and fast connection speeds.

It has servers in Milan that can be used to bypass national TV geo-restrictions, and it doesn’t limit the amount of bandwidth users consume. Atlas VPN has MultiHop servers that route traffic through two servers, including one random server; and SafeSwap servers, which rotate users’ IP addresses without disconnecting them.

Apps have a pleasingly clean GUI and are available for Windows, iOS, Android, macOS, Android TV, and Amazon Fire TV. They all come equipped with DNS and IPv6 leak protection, a kill switch, split tunneling, a tracker-blocker, and a data breach monitor that checks for leaked credentials. Note that the Atlas VPN Linux app is command-line only and that the company does not offer router support. 

Atlas VPN was acquired by NordVPN’s parent company, Nord Security, in 2021. In a press release issued at the time, it said that it would continue to act independently and perform regular third-party audits. As promised the company has since had an independent audit that verified its no-logs claims. It protects users’ internet data using 256-AES encryption, together with SHA-384 or Poly1305 authentication, and BLAKE2s for hashing.

STRONG ON SECURITY: Atlas VPN allows unlimited device connections and provides secure access to Italian servers. It’s fast and works well with the big-name streaming platforms. Plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. 

CyberGhost is an industry stalwart that has perfected the things that most people want; namely, fast speeds, strong security, and no-fuss access to their favorite streaming platforms. It does all of this while keeping its subscription fees relatively low. What it doesn’t have, however, are some of the features common to other providers, such as MultiHop servers, split tunneling, and obfuscation. 

The company has nearly 200 VPN servers in Italy, including 123+ servers in Milan and 68+ servers in Rome. These provide speeds fast enough for streaming 4K content or playing bandwidth-hungry games. CyberGhost labels its servers so you can choose which to connect to based on what you want to use them for. Options include servers for streaming, gaming, and torrenting. 

Windows users have the additional option of specifying which apps should automatically connect to which servers, using the SmartRules tool. 

Features common to all CyberGhost apps include built-in DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leak protection, and a kill switch. Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV, and Apple TV are all supported, and the company has free browser extensions available for Chrome and Firefox. 

CyberGhost is based in Romania, which is favorable for privacy. It has an audited no-logs policy and issues quarterly transparency reports detailing any requests for data made by third-party organizations.

Like ExpressVPN, CyberGhost is now owned by Kape Technologies – a company with a somewhat unwholesome past. Since the acquisition, CyberGhost has undergone independent audits of its server network and management systems. These have verified its no-logs claims.

FAST CONNECTIONS: CyberGhost has 191+ RAM-only servers in Italy and thousands more worldwide. It has very fast connection speeds and excellent access to streaming platforms. Plans come with a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Methodology for choosing the best VPNs for watching Italian TV

VPN providers have a tendency for hyperbole, with frequent claims to be the fastest or most secure. Rather than take these assertions at face value, we carry out real-world tests to objectively compare providers using our testing methodology. The criteria we use are discussed below. 

• Servers in Italy: If you want to access geo-restricted Italian streaming services, you’ll need to connect to a server in Italy. The best VPN providers have multiple servers physically located in the country, and can ensure consistent and reliable connections.
• Fast connection speeds: Streaming Italian TV from abroad requires decent connection speeds – particularly for anyone hoping to watch 4K content. The best VPNs allow uninterrupted streaming, with none of the buffering common to slower providers. We conduct frequent speed tests to evaluate VPN providers' performance. 
• Ability to access Italian and international streaming services: While many VPNs with servers in Italy can provide access to national channels such as Canale 5 or Cine34, far fewer work with the major international streaming platforms. Services like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video have become adept at blocking VPNs, so we regularly test VPN providers to see which can still provide unfettered access. 
• Strong privacy and security features: Effectively protecting user data requires a combination of several features. These include – at the very minimum – 256-AES encryption, a strict no-logs policy, a kill switch, and leak protection. We also like to see providers offering features such as MultiHop servers, split tunneling, and port forwarding.
• Good value for money: VPN subscriptions vary in price, and it's essential that the cost is justified by the level of service provided. We only include VPN providers that offer a favorable balance of features and affordability, ensuring a good deal for consumers.
• Easy-to-use apps: The best VPN apps cater to both novice and experienced users. They have well-designed graphical user interfaces (GUIs) that allow even those with no prior VPN experience to connect within seconds. Apps should also offer sufficient functionality for users with more expertise.
• Responsive customer support: When users encounter difficulties connecting to Italian TV, VPN providers should be willing – and able – to help. We prefer that providers offer 24/7 live chat in the first instance, though email support is also valuable – as are comprehensive online troubleshooting resources.

Bonus points

In order to secure a position among our top three providers, VPN companies must meet the following criteria:

• Access to China: China has the world’s most advanced VPN-blocking systems in place. These are continually improving, making access to the country’s online sphere ever more difficult. Very few VPN providers have the ability to sufficiently disguise network traffic so that it can get past what has become known as the Great Firewall.   
• Diskless servers: Diskless – also known as RAM-only – servers do not store any data on their hard drives. Instead, they rely on volatile memory (RAM), which gets wiped clean at every reboot. This ensures that no user data or activity logs can be stored long-term, thus improving both privacy and security. 
• Incorporation outside the scope of intelligence alliances: The better VPN providers register their companies in countries that are not part of cross-border spying alliances or intelligence-sharing agreements. Being located in jurisdictions such as Panama or the British Virgin Islands reduces the likelihood of governments or surveillance agencies gaining access to user data through legal or coercive means.
• Audited software and infrastructure: Independent audits involve third-party security experts reviewing and assessing server networks, apps and management systems to identify any vulnerabilities or weaknesses. These audits provide additional assurance that the VPN service is reliable, trustworthy, and capable of protecting user data.

Can I use a free VPN for watching Italian TV from abroad?

You can try, but it’s likely to prove a frustrating experience. Free VPNs tend to have small server networks that are easily congested. This results in less available bandwidth and slower speeds for individual users. Furthermore, the limited network means that fewer countries are covered. Italy is unlikely to feature. 

Virtually all free VPNs have some form of logging policy and trackers are commonplace. Some free VPNs will sell your data to third-parties as a way of generating further revenue. The worst can act as vectors for malware.

How to watch Italian TV from abroad – FAQs

What Italian TV can I watch with a VPN?

There are lots of options available from the country’s national public broadcasting company, Rai, as well as its largest commercial broadcaster, Mediaset. Popular channels include the following:

• Rai 1-5
• Cine34
• Rai Movie
• Rete4
• Rai Gulp
• Canale 5
• Rai Yoyo
• Italia 1+2

Is it illegal to use a VPN to stream Italian TV?

No, it’s not illegal. However, it’s likely that a streaming service’s terms and conditions will specify that you shouldn’t watch from outside of the country where you registered your account. In practice, streaming platforms able to identify VPN use will simply block access rather than taking any other action. 

What do I need to watch Italian TV?

You need to find a fast VPN with servers in Italy. Connecting to an Italian server enables you to spoof your location when accessing content from an Italian TV channel. Fast connections are important for buffer-free streaming.

How can I watch Rai TV outside Italy?

Connect to an Italian server using a VPN – see the guide earlier in the article for instructions on how to do this – and head over to www.raiplay.it. Create an account and start streaming.