Why Use a VPN in Germany?
Strict copyright enforcement
Abmahnung (copyright warning letters)
Data retention laws
German intelligence surveillance
Top 5 VPNs for Germany
Based on our testing from Germany, these VPNs offer the best combination of speed, security, and reliability for users in this region.
NordVPN
Key Features for Germany
- Servers in 111 countries including nearby regions
- Kill switch for connection protection
- Verified no-logs policy
- 10 simultaneous connections
- Unblocks major streaming services
Pros & Cons
- Industry-leading security features
- Massive server network in 111 countries
- Occasional server connection delays
- No free trial available
ExpressVPN
Key Features for Germany
- Servers in 105 countries including nearby regions
- Kill switch for connection protection
- Verified no-logs policy
- 8 simultaneous connections
- Unblocks major streaming services
Pros & Cons
- Fastest VPN speeds with Lightway protocol
- Best-in-class streaming unblocking
- Premium pricing compared to competitors
- Only 8 simultaneous connections
Surfshark
Key Features for Germany
- Servers in 100 countries including nearby regions
- Kill switch for connection protection
- Verified no-logs policy
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Unblocks major streaming services
Pros & Cons
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Best value for money in the market
- Speeds can be inconsistent on some servers
- Relatively newer provider
CyberGhost
Key Features for Germany
- Servers in 100 countries including nearby regions
- Kill switch for connection protection
- Verified no-logs policy
- 7 simultaneous connections
- Unblocks major streaming services
Pros & Cons
- Largest server network with 11,500+ servers
- Specialized servers for streaming and torrenting
- Owned by Kape Technologies
- No obfuscation for restricted countries
ProtonVPN
Key Features for Germany
- Servers in 91 countries including nearby regions
- Kill switch for connection protection
- Verified no-logs policy
- 10 simultaneous connections
- Unblocks major streaming services
Pros & Cons
- Based in privacy-friendly Switzerland
- Open-source and independently audited
- Smaller server network than competitors
- Free tier has limited server access
VPN Legality in Germany
Using a VPN is legal in Germany. You can freely use VPN services for privacy, security, and accessing content. However, using a VPN for illegal activities remains illegal.
- VPNs are commonly used for privacy and security
- Businesses regularly use VPNs for secure remote work
- Using a VPN for illegal activities is still illegal
- No known cases of prosecution for personal VPN use
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, VPNs are completely legal in Germany. However, using a VPN for illegal activities like downloading copyrighted content remains illegal.
A VPN hides your IP address when torrenting, making it difficult for copyright holders to identify you. However, downloading copyrighted content is still illegal regardless of VPN use.
Germany has strong copyright laws enforced by specialized law firms. They monitor P2P networks and send expensive warning letters (Abmahnung) to identified IP addresses.
NordVPN and ExpressVPN are excellent choices for Germany, offering fast servers, strong privacy, and reliable streaming. CyberGhost, headquartered in Romania but with German roots, is also popular.
Yes, connecting to a US VPN server lets you access the American Netflix library from Germany. ExpressVPN and NordVPN are most reliable for Netflix unblocking.
German ISPs must comply with data retention laws, though these have faced legal challenges. A VPN prevents ISPs from seeing your actual browsing activity.
A VPN significantly reduces risk by hiding your IP, but no method is 100% safe. Use VPNs with kill switches and verified no-logs policies for best protection.
Yes, connecting to a German VPN server lets you access ARD, ZDF, and other German broadcasters while traveling outside Germany.
Germany participates in intelligence sharing. For maximum privacy, use VPNs based outside EU/Five Eyes with verified no-logs policies and strong encryption.
While CyberGhost has German origins (now Romanian), most privacy-focused VPNs choose jurisdictions with stronger privacy laws than Germany.