How to Watch Italian TV From Abroad

Ever tried to watch your favorite Italian Tv program while abroad and couldn’t? Well, no, thanks to broadcasting restrictions placed by Italy, you can’t access most Italian channels, including Canale 5, Rai 1, and La5, outside the country.

For instance, even though Rai TV has a significant viewership throughout Europe because it is seen in Italy and viewed in nearby countries, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Albania, Switzerland, Monaco, Malta, San Marino, and many more, it cannot be accessed when you travel abroad.

This is devastating to many who have come to love Italian radio shows, Tv programs, movies, and other content.

Fortunately, there’s an easy solution to the problem. All you need is to mask your IP address, replacing it with an Italian one, so it appears you are still in Italy. A VPN helps you do this; it changes your actual IP address to your preferred address. With this, you never have to miss your favourite programs no matter where you are.

However, not all VPNs can access Italian TV. While some do not have servers in Italy to begin with, others are unable to bypass the sophisticated geo-blocks put in place by these sites.

Rather than choose any VPN that catches your fancy and hope it works, you can select from the number of tested and verified VPNs we have outlined for you in this article.

Want to know all about these VPNs? Read on to find out.

Why do Italian channels disallow viewers from other countries?

Italy has a lot of entertaining and informative TV content that is easily accessible within the country. However, they become inaccessible once you are outside the Italian borders (even with a subscription), not without a VPN.

This is no fault of the TV stations as they are often forced to sign contracts with movie and TV studios. The contract mandates that only viewers within the country can view the content. Thus, these stations are forced to put up stringent measures. This way, the TV and movie studios can sell their content to streaming providers in other countries and make more profit.

Also, some governments restrict their residents from accessing specific content for various security, political and cultural reasons. The government can control what its citizens watch by putting geo-blocks in place.

Why You Need a VPN to Watch Italian TV

Italian TV deploys sophisticated technology to prevent people from accessing streaming platforms, TV programs, and other content abroad. These sites use your device IP address, a unique number that tracks your device location. Hence, when you try accessing Italian TV stations such as RaiPlay from anywhere else asides from Italy, all you get are error messages.

Thankfully, a VPN can easily bypass these restrictions and grant you access to Italian content no matter where you are. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) encrypts all Internet data sent by a device and routes it via a central server to a location of the user’s choosing. By connecting to an Italian server, the site only sees an Italian address and grants you access even though you may be somewhere in Eygpt.

But, accessing geo-blocked contents isn’t all a VPN can do. A VPN can also grant you access to gaming servers, online financial services, and other websites worldwide. Besides, a VPN hides your online activities, making it impossible for your ISP, government agencies, and even advertisers to monitor your internet activities.

Furthermore, a VPN ensures public wireless networks are safe and prevents your Internet Service Provider (ISP) from throttling your online activities.

Best VPNs for watching Italian TV abroad

While there are many VPNs to choose from, only a few are safe, secure, and efficient. When choosing a VPN, it’s essential to look out for the ones with excellent qualities, including:

• The presence of multiple servers in Italy
• Quick and secure connections
• Zero log policy
• Availability of websites in Italian

That said, below are the top VPNs we could identify:

ExpressVPN

With more than 3,000 servers present in 94 countries, ExpressVPN is arguably one of the best VPNs available. Its vast network of servers makes it an ideal VPN for streaming and accessing stubborn content, including Amazon Prime Video and Netflix. You can also access HBO, BBC iPlayer, and many others. The VPN boasts of lightning speed and unlimited bandwidth; hence, you can watch movies and videos in 4K and HD.

The VPN is one of the most secure VPNs available. It hides users’ online activities using WebRTC and has DNS and IPv6 leak protection. Not just that, there’s also a kill switch that automatically activates and prevents data leakage once there’s a VPN downtime. The VPN also uses 256-bit AES encryption, the most secure encryption available.

The VPN supports Bitcoin payment, hence adding a layer of anonymity to those who crave it. Besides, ExpressVPN has a strict zero-log policy. Hence, you can be sure your personal information will not be sold or leaked.

With one subscription to the VPN, you can connect as many as five devices simultaneously. And if ever you need help, you can rely on the fast and efficient 24/7 customer support. The VPN has a 30-day money-back guarantee too.

ExpressVPN offers apps for Android, macOS, iOS, Linux, and Windows devices. There is also customizable firmware for routers, thus making it easy to protect all your devices simultaneously.

NordVPN

With over 70 servers alone in Italy and 5,500 others spread across 60+ countries, Nord VPN is one service provider you can’t overlook. The VPN offers ultra-fast streaming; thus, you won’t have a problem whether you wish to watch RaiPlay, Canale 5, BBC iPlay, or Netflix. The VPN delivers enough speed to enable HD live streaming.

NordVPN has a strong security network. There’s the 256-bit AES encryption for water-tight security, a customizable kill switch, and WebRTC, IPv6, and DNS leak protection, all of which ensure your data is well-protected. There are also dedicated servers for DDoS protection, Tor over Italian VPN, and other services.

The VPN features unique obfuscated servers to bypass internet firewalls and geo-blocks, including those in countries like China. Users can configure the VPN to activate automatically anytime there’s a connection to public Wi-Fi, thereby ensuring round-the-clock protection.

Due to its strict zero-logging policies, the Panama-based firm doesn’t save any data on your connection or activities. Nord VPN offers 24/7 live chat and email support and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

The VPN supports macOS, Windows, Android apps, and iOS. Users can manually configure the routers with home routers if they wish.

IPVanish

Within its extensive network of over 1,400 servers spread across 60+ countries, over 25 are in Italy, with 10 in Milan alone. This only goes to show efficient the VPN is. Besides, IPVanish controls its servers rather than rents them, unlike most VPNs; this guarantees maximum privacy and excellent communication.

The VPN offers a very high speed enough to stream services such as La 5 and RaiPlay in HD quality from anywhere in the world. While IPVanish is a lightweight service provider, it still provides several security features. This includes 256-bit AES encryption, kill switch, IPv6, and DNS leak protection.

IPVanish has a strict zero-log policy. You can choose to block local connections and scramble your data to enable you to access services that usually block VPN users. Better still, the VPN offers unlimited simultaneous connection and provides round-the-clock customer support.

Moreover, the VPN provides apps for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS devices. Besides, you can manually configure the VPN using Linux systems, thereby enabling you select network routers of your choice.

PrivateVPN

With only 150 servers spread across 60 countries, two of which are in Italy, the VPN isn’t the largest around, but what it lacks in quantity, it makes up in speed. The VPN cannot only access La 5, DMAX, and other Italian channels, but it can also access international platforms like BBC iPlayer and Netflix.

The VPN has many security features, including 256-bit encryption, a customizable kill switch, a stealth mode to bypass even the toughest geo-blocks, and IPv6 and DNS leak protection. Private VPN keeps no data log, as it has a zero-log policy. You can simultaneously connect up to six devices with a single subscription.

Users can contact the VPN via its live chat, which is available for 22 hours daily and through the mail. Besides, apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.

Surfshark

Surfshark VPN has 3200+ servers distributed across over 60 countries, including Italy. Its speed is fast enough to prevent buffering and lags. Besides, the VPN works effortlessly with popular streaming platforms like Cielo, RaiPlay, and Netflix US. One of the remarkable features of Surfshark is its unlimited simultaneous connection that allows users to connect all their devices at once.

The VPN is invested in safety and security, with features such as DNS and IPv6 leak protection, 2560-bit encryption, an inbuilt malware scanner, and a kill switch. Surfshark also has a unique NoBorders mode that enables you to access the Internet even in countries like China.

Surfshark keeps no identifiable data and offers 24/7 email and live chat support. There are apps available for Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, and Android.

CyberGhost

Known for its vast network, CyberGhost VPN has more than 120 servers in Italy, with a total of about 5,700 servers spread across 89 countries. CyberGhost has blazing speed and reliable connection that enable users to stream endlessly without experiencing lags or buffering.

The VPN only requires minimal set-up as most of its settings come preinstalled. Hence, once you connect to it, you are automatically protected by IPv6 and DNS leak protection, 256-bit encryption, a malware scanner, an ad-blocker, and a kill switch.

Also, you don’t have to constantly look over your shoulders as the VPN keeps no identifiable data. Although the VPN is user-friendly, it still provides 24/7 live chat support. You can connect up to 7 devices simultaneously with one subscription.

The VPN provides easy-to-use apps for Android, Windows, iOS, macOS, and Linux devices. There’s support for internet routers as well.

Hotspot Shield

Hotspot Shield provides access to more than 3,200 servers in over 80 countries, including Italy. With its excellent speed, you shouldn’t experience difficulty streaming HD videos. The VPN offers secure access to all your favorite channels abroad, including Canale 5, RaiPlay, and La 5.

It has fantastic security features, including a kill switch, 256-bit encryption, and protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks (which block all data transfer if you suddenly lose your VPN connection). Additionally, being far from Italy, users have the choice to use VPN automatically whenever they connect to an unsecured network.

The VPN has a strict zero-log policy and offers 24/7 email and live chat support. With one subscription, you can connect five devices simultaneously. The VPN has iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows apps. Users can also manually install the VPN on supported routers.

SaferVPN

SaferVPN offers high-speed connections from a vast network of high-speed servers with over 700 servers scattered across 94 countries. Some of these servers are configured expressly for TV streaming and video.

While the VPN is unable to say precisely how many servers it has in Italy, the important thing is that the VPN has servers enough to let you stream Rai TV, La 5, and other channels from anywhere in the world.

SaferVPN offers several security and privacy features, including a zero-log policy, a kill switch, and 256-bit AES encryption. There’s also the flexibility to utilize several Italian VPN protocols, such as OpenVPN and IKEv4.

With a comprehensive suite of applications for all the major platforms for Italian servers, SaferVPN offers customers a wide range of options when connecting to a VPN across devices. It enables five simultaneous connections on one plan. There are also extensions for Firefox and Chrome browsers. With a 30-day money-back guarantee, you may test the service risk-free.

How to use a VPN when streaming Italian TV

Wondering how to use a VPN when streaming Italian TV? Then you are just in luck as this outlined step-by-step guide will help you get started:

1. Begin by signing up for one of the VPNs listed above
2. Install the VPN on your device.
3. Next, log into the VPN 
4. Find the list of accessible servers by launching the VPN software on your device. 
5. Select the country filter to narrow down the list of servers
6. Select an Italian server of your choice
7. Click connect
8. Visit your favorite streaming platform and start to start to enjoy unlimited access to Italian contents

Can I use a free VPN to watch Italian channels?

It’s implausible that a free VPN will grant you access to La 5, RaiPlay, or any other Italian streaming platform. This is because most free VPNs are unable to access geo-blocked streaming sites. Even if they have servers in Italy, these servers are often overcrowded, making them slow.

Besides, free VPNs often have bandwidth restrictions, with some offering data limits as low as 500MB per month. This isn’t enough to stream one movie episode, let alone live stream TV channels.

Moreover, most free VPNs contain trackers and malware. Hence, they can monitor your online activities, collect your data and sell them off to ad companies and other third parties for profit.

So, rather than endanger your online safety, security, and privacy, it’s best to subscribe to premium VPNs such as Surshark, Express VPN, Nord VPN, and so on. These VPNs have fast servers present in Italy and can access Italian sites. Besides, most of these premium VPNs feature a money-back guarantee; hence, you can try them out at zero risk before making a monetary commitment.

Which Italian TV channels can I watch with a VPN?

Once connected to a server in Italy, you should be able to access all the usual TV channels, movies, and sites from anywhere in the world.

Some of the popular platforms and channels available to you include:

• La 7
• DMAX
• Cielo
• Rete 4
• RaiPlay
• Netflix Italy
• Italia 1
• La 5
• Iris
• Donna TV
• Sportitalia
• TV8
• Top Calcio 24
• Uninettuno University TV

Does Italy prohibit the usage of VPNs?

If you are visiting or resident in Italy, then we have some good news for you, you can freely use a VPN within the country. Unlike most countries, Italy does not consider the use of VPNs within the country illegal, nor are there restrictions and bans. Unfortunately, people in certain countries aren’t as lukcy. These countries include:  

• China

China forbids the usage of VPN services. However, the VPN provider will be permitted to offer its services to Middle Kingdom residents if it obtains a government license. Unfortunately, the requirements for receiving a permit are tough to meet, which defeats the purpose of utilizing a VPN.

• Iraq and Iran

Few people in the country have access to the Internet due to the underdeveloped telecommunications infrastructure and low economic levels of the populace. Although there isn’t a formal restriction on VPNs, you shouldn’t use one invisibly because of the severe Internet filtering and government oversight.

The most prominent social networks, YouTube, news websites, blog services, and many more, were blocked in Iran in 2013. The usage of VPNs, HTTPS, and encryption software is prohibited.

• UAE and Oman

Since 2016, the United Arab Emirates’ cybercrime legislation has made it illegal to utilize a VPN service. Tourists, as well as locals, are subject to the bill. Lawbreaking is penalized by a heavy fine or jail time. In UAE and Oman, censorship is king, and this censorship applies to traditional media in general and the Internet in particular. VPN services are particularly forbidden.

• Turkey

Most social networks and well-known websites, including Wikipedia, YouTube, and WhatsApp Messenger, are blocked in Turkey. Additionally, the most prominent free VPN providers are also banned.

Summary

Since Italian media does not sell permits to other countries to broadcast Italian stations abroad, you cannot watch Italian TV. The great news, however, is that a VPN service allows you to circumvent this issue. With the help of the VPNs on our list, you can easily view well-known Italian channels and movies anywhere.

FAQ