Most British TV channels, such as BBC iPlayer, Sky Go, ITV, and All 4 (previously 4od), only let you watch their online streams if you are in the UK. As soon as you leave the country, you are blocked from accessing British web video players. This means you’ll have to settle for Spanish shows instead of Eastenders, Coronation Street, or The X Factor.

Thankfully, you can access British TV online using a VPN. This service will tunnel your web traffic through an intermediary server and replace your real IP address with a British IP address, enabling you to access UK video streaming sites. It will also impose encryption on your connections to prevent your internet activities from being logged or interfered with.

In this post, I’ll tell you how to use a VPN to make it look like you are still in the UK so you can watch British TV from Spain or anywhere else in the world. I’ll also tell you which are the best VPN services for the task based on my past experience.

The best VPNs to watch UK TV in Spain:

  • NordVPN: #1 VPN for UK TV in Spain. Fast British servers that work to watch BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, Channel 4, My5, Sky TV, BT Sport, and more. Also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
  • Surfshark: Cheapest VPN to watch British TV. Fast WireGuard protocol. Easy to use. Works with all UK TV networks in Spain.
  • ExpressVPN: A solid all-rounder. A little pricey but is highly private, secure, and works with iPlayer, ITV, Sky TV, and more.
  • CyberGhost: Fantastic for beginners. Makes it easy to find servers that work to stream British TV. Decent speeds. Apps for all devices.
  • IPVanish: Has British servers that work with iPlayer. Doesn’t always work to access every streaming service. Can test it with its money-back guarantee.
  • PrivateVPN: A fast Swedish VPN that is excellent for torrenting, gaming, and streaming. Servers in UK are excellent for streaming TV in Spain.

How to get British TV from Spain

If you want to stream UK TV online from Spain, simply follow these steps:

There are no hidden terms—just contact support within 30 days if you decide NordVPN isn’t right for you and you’ll get a full refund. Start your NordVPN trial here.

  • Sign up for a VPN from the list below. We recommend NordVPN.
  • Install the appropriate app for your device.
  • Open the app, select a UK VPN server, and connect.
  • Go to a UK video streaming site in your browser, choose your video, and enjoy.

The VPNs in this list are all very easy to use. However, if you face technical problems, you can contact your VPN provider’s customer support team for assistance.

How to choose the right VPN to access British TV in Spain

Apart from being able to gain access to online UK video channels, VPN services need other qualities to make their way onto this list of recommendations. These are:

  • Multiple server options in the UK
  • High speeds
  • Strong privacy measures
  • Easy-to-use app
  • Prompt and knowledgeable customer support team

Best VPNs to access British TV from Spain – at a glance

We’ve compared the most important features for the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for watching British TV when you are in Spain.

1. NordVPN

                    Jan 2023

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux
  • Background
  • FireTV

Website: www.NordVPN.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

A clear advantage that this VPN has over all of the others in my list is its low price. However, my tests raised a disadvantage to NordVPN, which is that it is the slowest service on this list. That said, the connection speeds are still fast enough for uninterrupted video streaming and better than the majority of VPNs on the market.

Despite being a cut price option, the NordVPN app includes extra security services, including one called CyberSec. This tool blocks ads and pop-ups, stops infected web pages from loading in your browser, and prevents your computer from becoming part of a botnet to launch DDoS attacks.

Apps install on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux and there are also browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox. You can set up the VPN manually on routers and set-top boxes. NordVPN gives each account a six-device simultaneous connection allowance.

BEST FOR BRITISH TV:NordVPN is our #1 choice. It boasts fast speeds, excellent security features, and exceptional unblocking capabilities. NordVPN gives a 30-day risk-free money-back guarantee on all subscriptions.

Pros:

  • Easy-to-use app
  • Great at getting into restricted websites
  • Lots of extra security measures
  • Keeps no records of connections
  • Allows six simultaneous connections
  • Offer 24/7 support

Cons:

  • Server switching on desktop may be slow

Our score:

Read our full NordVPN review.

2. Surfshark

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website: www.Surfshark.com

Surfshark has more than 3,000 servers in 60+ countries including the UK. It boasts exceptional unblocking ability, so you should have no problems accessing services like BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, or S4C in Spain. Unlike most other VPNs (which limit users to six connections at most), Surfshark has no connection limit, meaning you can connect as many devices as you like.

This service offers a huge range of security features including 256-bit encryption, protection against DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks, and a kill switch. There’s even a built-in ad-blocker and malware scanner! Although you’re able to pay in Ripple, Ethereum, or Bitcoin, this step is entirely optional since Surfshark doesn’t log any data that could identify you. Having trouble using the service? Customer support is on-hand 24/7 via live chat and email.

Surfshark has Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, and Linux apps. It can also be manually installed on supported wireless routers.

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark has no connection limit,, powerful unblocking ability, and a wide array of security features. As such, you’re free to watch whatever you want, wherever you want. Better still, this service comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

  • Major focus on privacy and security

  • Excellent unblocking capabilities

  • Has no connection limit

  • 24/7 live chat support

  • Keeps no logs and accepts three kinds of cryptocurrency

  • Support could be improved

Read our full review of Surfshark here.

3. ExpressVPN

Website: www.ExpressVPN.com

ExpressVPN is another solid VPN for accessing British TV in Spain. When you are streaming live TV from the UK, especially in HD, you need fast speeds. VPNs have to do a lot of work in order to make your connection secret and sneak past location locks. ExpressVPN performs those tasks while still keeping the transmission rate fast enough to get a continuous video feed without loss of quality.

The helpdesk is available around the clock every day of the year via live chat in case you face technical problems.

UNBLOCK ALMOST ANYTHING:ExpressVPN is a great alternative for watching British TV from Spain. You get fast speeds, strong privacy, and access to all UK channels, including premium video streaming services. ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

  • Good speeds for international video streaming

  • Strong security features

  • Apps for all operating systems

  • Works with British and international streaming services (BBC iPlayer, ITV, Channel 4, Netflix and more)

  • Customer support online around the clock via live chat

  • Slightly more expensive than some other VPNs

Read our full ExpressVPN review

4. CyberGhost

Website: www.Cyberghost.com

Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS

CyberGhost offers sleek-looking apps that give access to VPN locations in 90 countries. This service has solid speeds, which makes it great for streaming video from UK websites to Spain – even in HD. You will be able to access BBC iPlayer and other mainstream TV websites, as well as Netflix UK and channels from all over the world, including ABC, NBC, and CBS.

You don’t pay CyberGhost directly for the service, which means that the company doesn’t keep any identifying information on you. It also doesn’t keep any activity logs so there is no trace of you on the internet.

Apps include an adblocker, a tracker blocker, and a system that prevents malicious websites from loading in your browser. These are all very useful extra security features that come built into the service.

GREAT FOR NOVICES:Take advantage of CyberGhost’s clever privacy features to disappear on the internet. Works with many streaming services including Netflix UK. CyberGhost gives all new customers a fuss-free 45-day money-back guarantee.

  • Good speeds for overseas video streaming

  • Very strong encryption

  • Extensive online knowledgebase

  • Extra free security tools

  • Doesn’t work in China

Read our full CyberGhost review

5. IPVanish

Website: www.IPVanish.com

Speed is very important when you are streaming video, particularly if those videos are traveling a long way, which is the case when you access online TV services in the UK from Spain. Tests show that IPVanish is one of the fastest VPN services, not just on this list, but in the whole world. You will be able to stream HD TV from the UK without experiencing pauses, poor quality, or gaps. That speed makes this a top choice for torrenters and Kodi users.

IPVanish provides straightforward apps; you just need to pick a VPN location from a list that includes servers in 60 countries. You’ll be able to access many of the mainstream British TV video streaming services as well as others from around the globe.

VERY FAST VPN:IPVanish gives you one of the fastest VPN services on the planet. Use it to stream video from the UK and for downloading. IPVanish offers a 7-day money-back guarantee.

  • US-based service

  • One of the fastest VPNs around

  • An allowance of 10 simultaneous connections

  • Customer support can be slow to respond

  • Only offers 7-day money-back guarantee

Read our full IPVanish review

6. PrivateVPN

Website: www.PrivateVPN.com

PrivateVPN offers fast speeds and gives access to servers in 59 countries. That location list includes the UK and this service can enable access to live and on-demand content from BBC iPlayer and other online UK TV channels. Speeds are more than fast enough for constant, faultless video streams from the UK to Spain.

The app for the service presents you with a list of available locations. You just click on a UK server to get a British IP address and enable access to UK TV sites. Apps are available for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. The VPN can be set up on Linux, routers, and set-top boxes. Six devices can be connected at a time.

PrivateVPN was created by Swedish privacy activists who particularly wanted to give the public identity protection when they downloaded entertainment with torrents. So the privacy procedures of this service are very strong. You pay a separate company such that PrivateVPN doesn’t need to hold any information about you. The company also refuses to keep activity logs.

The customer support team is very competent and available via live chat during select times.

PRIVACY VPN:PrivateVPN offers very strong privacy protection and will help you access British TV from Spain. You get a 30-day no-questions-asked money-back guarantee.

  • Good speeds for streaming and downloading

  • Customer support via live chat

  • Account anonymity measures

  • Only has six servers in the UK

  • Doesn’t have 24/7 chat available

Read our full PrivateVPN review

VPN Testing Methodology

Comparitech reviewers aim to write the web’s most accurate, useful, and comprehensive VPN reviews and recommendations. To do so, our team evaluates each VPN based on real-world experience, expert analysis, and a battery of performance and security tests. When it comes to ITV Hub VPNs, we specifically look at:

  • Streaming: We use real-world tests to find out which VPNs can access ITV Hub, as well as popular streaming services like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, Disney+, Hulu, and Prime Video.
  • Security: We check each VPN’s encryption scheme and test connections for various types of data leaks such as DNS, WebRTC, and IPv6 leaks.
  • Logging policy: We pour over each VPN’s privacy policy and terms of use for any language or lack thereof that could indicate the collection of personally identifiable data while using the VPN.
  • Speed: We measure and record download speeds while connected to VPN servers located around the world.
  • Customer support: Our reviewers contact each VPN’s customer support staff as secret shoppers to gauge response times and quality.
  • Server network: Although the total number of servers isn’t especially important, we favor VPNs with servers in more countries, thereby giving users a wider geographical reach.

To learn more about how we rate and review VPNs, read our full VPN testing methodology.

Can a free VPN get British TV in Spain?

Although these recommended VPNs are very easy to use, the work that goes into them is very complicated, and incurs costs. Yet, there are free VPNs around. How do these VPNs get away with charging when others give the service for free? The answer is that that free VPNs don’t give the same level of service.

Most of them are cripplingly slow and make it difficult to stream video without lag of buffering. In any case, most of them are unable to bypass geo-restriction measures so can’t provide access to British TV video streaming services.

Free VPNs still need to make money. They come up with a lot of sneaky ways to profit without giving a proper service. Many of them don’t include encryption, which means your traffic is completely exposed. Others force you to watch adverts before they will connect you and some track your data for sale to third parties.

What British TV stations can I watch from Spain?

There are literally hundreds of British TV channels online and you can even get them on your phone, so you can watch them wherever you are. BBC iPlayer gets you all of the BBC channels, including CBeebies for the kids. The ITV Hub enables access to all the ITV stations and All 4 gives you the Channel 4 family of channels, including E4, Vice, and Film 4. The Channel 5 website offers up Channel 5 itself as well as 5 Star, 5 USA, and 5 Spike.

You can watch each channel live or work your way through catch-up TV on an on-demand basis. Aside from the basic channels, you can also access the subscription service using a VPN. For example, UKTV Play gets you access to Yesterday, Drama, Home, Really, and Dave. If you subscribe to Sky in the UK, you can watch it online via Sky Go.

There is no law against using a VPN in Spain. It is perfectly legal. I tested the five VPNs on this list at a location in Tenerife and they all worked very well. I also tried the services on my mobile phone and I was able to watch British TV while sitting in the beachfront bars of Playa de las Americas and Los Cristianos. I have also used these VPNs on the Costa Del Sol from Malaga all the way down to Gibraltar and they all gave me good playback speeds for streaming on the BBC iPlayer and All 4.

All a VPN does is divert all of your traffic through a server at the location that you choose in the app. The connection between your device to the VPN server is entirely encrypted, so no one intercepting the transmissions can tell what sites you are connecting to or what content is returning to your computer.

When the VPN server sends your requests on to the TV website for a video, that request carries the IP address of the VPN server. So, if you choose a location in the UK, BBC iPlayer, for example, receives your request for a video from the VPN server’s IP address in Britain and not your real IP address in Spain. The VPN server passes the returning video onto your computer. This is how VPNs get around the location checks implemented by these video services.

Not every VPN will work, so it is a mistake to just do a search in Google and pick the first service that appears in the results page. You run a strong risk of being ripped off. This is because British TV websites know about VPNs and try to block any request delivered by one. BBC iPlayer is particularly difficult to get into and very few VPNs have the skills to evade detection there.

A VPN protects wifi connections too

When you travel, you rely on the free wifi services offered by hotels, bars, and transport hubs. You aren’t using your own wifi router when you are in Spain, so you can’t really trust the security provided for your connections.

It is great to go out to a beachfront bar, look at the sea, enjoy the heat, and watch Eastenders on your phone or tablet while enjoying a beer. However, connecting to those bar wifi services is a risk. An increasingly prevalent hacker trick these days is to set up fake wifi hotspots.

Any laptop can be turned into a wireless access point. All the hacker has to do is change the wifi name (SSID) of his computer from the name assigned by the manufacturer to something that sounds like it belongs to the location. For example, if you are in Bar Tropicale in Torremolinos, the hacker wifi computer might be called “Bar Tropicale Free WIFI” or “Free Torremolinos Wifi.”

When you connect to one of these seemingly genuine hotspots, you are actually connecting to the hacker’s computer. The hacker connects his computer to the real wifi hotspot and passes through all of your traffic, so you will actually get online. However, while all of your data passes from your device to the internet, the hacker gets access to it. The hacker’s computer will also be able to intercept and alter or replace all of the information that comes in from the internet to your computer.

The wifi signal is protected by encryption. However, the key for the cipher is decided by the wifi hotspot, which is controlled by the hacker. So the hacker will be able to decrypt and read all of the information you send. This could allow the hacker to capture things like your bank details and your username and password for a whole range of online services, including your email and your Netflix account.

The VPN connection is entirely protected by strong encryption. The key for that encryption is negotiated between the VPN app on your computer and the VPN server. The hacker isn’t able to perform what is known as a “man-in-the-middle attack” because the session establishment procedures require both the VPN app and server to prove their identities, which the hacker can’t fake. So even though the hacker will be able to crack the wifi encryption that is supposed to be protecting your connection, he will just uncover a stream of unreadable characters because the VPN encryption will still be in place.

Broadcast your own TV

You may get tired of watching TV on your computer and it is even harder to enjoy a film or drama on the tiny screen of a phone. You don’t have to put up with that because you can send that stream to your TV. If your apartment complex or hotel has a wifi system, you can use a system called “casting” to forward the videos that you stream from the UK on to the TV in your room. The most well-known casting system is called Chromecast, which is produced by Google, but there are other systems out there.

So, make sure you get a VPN before you go to Spain. When you get there, connect to the BBC iPlayer and cast CBeebies onto the TV to keep the kids quiet while you unpack.

Alternatively, if you’re only visiting Spain for a short time, you could simply use a VPN to regain access to the same streaming services you’d use to watch the Premier League back home.

You’ll also be able to browse and stream with greater security thanks to the fact that your data is encrypted. With your true IP address hidden and no logs kept of your activity, a VPN can help you stay anonymous online.