If you’re moving abroad or on vacation, you don’t have to lose access to your favorite British websites. You can continue streaming your favorite shows on BBC iPlayer, ITV, and Britbox without being blocked. The easiest way to obtain a British IP address is through a UK VPN.

A UK VPN routes your traffic through its private server network, providing you with an IP address from another country, such as the UK. This allows you to access British websites even when you’re abroad, including your British bank account. Additionally, a UK VPN encrypts your traffic to ensure your online security, which is crucial when using public WiFi networks.

My top recommendation is NordVPN. It has several UK server locations and impressive speeds, allowing you to quickly unblock your British accounts from anywhere. You can try NordVPN’s UK servers risk-free since they offer a 30-day money-back guarantee to ensure customer satisfaction and peace of mind.

If you’re looking to save money, we recommend Surfshark. for less than $2.50 per month, you’ll have unlimited data and simultaneous connections, rock-solid security, and in-depth features that free VPNs don’t have. Access is fast and all major streaming sites are unlocked. Surfshark is the best value for money.

How to get a free VPN for 30 days:
If you need a VPN for a short period of time while traveling abroad, get our top-ranked VPN for free. NordVPN offers a 30-day money back guarantee, which is real. You’ll need to pay upfront to use the subscription, but the subscription allows full access for 30 days. If you don’t like it you can cancel at any time and get a full refund, so you can try it with confidence.

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Is using a VPN to obtain a UK IP address safe?

As long as you choose a reliable provider, you don’t have to worry about the security of a VPN. In fact, using a UK VPN to access the internet can better protect you from hackers, certain malware, and other online threats. Here’s a concise list of the most important points:

Of course, no software can replace common sense, so always be cautious while browsing. For example, don’t provide your personal or financial information to unknown companies, and make sure you don’t fall victim to phishing emails or scams.

What can I do with a UK IP address?

A UK IP address allows you to access online content that’s only available in the UK. This includes your British streaming services and online banking accounts. It’s ideal for travelers, and a VPN with servers located in the UK can provide you with a British IP address. Here are some benefits of having a UK IP address:

Further reading:
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➤ Top 3 VPN iOS Best for iPhone（iOS 16 & Older）
➤ The Best VPN Korea server
➤ Best Japan VPN for Watching Japanese Netflix
➤ Top 3 Best VPN in Hong Kong｜fast and secure

How to Get a UK IP Address with VPN from Anywhere in the World

We recommend VPNs for Malaysia with custom applications for all popular platforms. Using these VPNs is made incredibly easy. Just follow these steps to set up and run a VPN on your device:

Create a VPN account:

Download VPN software: After purchasing a subscription, download the software. Once the download is complete, install the software, and you can also opt to download the VPN’s mobile app. Run the VPN software and log in with your newly created account. Select a UK server from the drop-down menu or using the search tool.

Connect to the server to change your IP address to a UK IP address! Now, you should be able to bypass UK geographical restrictions and access UK BBC iPlayer!

The Best VPN in the UK

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1. NordVPN – The most secure VPN available

NordVPN is our top choice for obtaining a UK IP address from anywhere in the world. With over 5,200 large servers in 60+ countries/regions, robust military-grade encryption, double VPN for data double encryption, and a strict no-logs policy, NordVPN ensures the highest level of security and privacy.

It boasts 400+ servers spread across four regions in the UK, ensuring coverage in Scotland with servers in Edinburgh and Glasgow, as well as locations in London and Manchester. Based in Panama, NordVPN offers interesting features like SmartPlay to bypass geographic restrictions on Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer, Netflix, and other UK options, granting access to over 150 global streaming services.

NordVPN‘s network speeds are sufficient for streaming 4K content, and it offers a proprietary VPN protocol called NordLynx for enhanced performance. With a single account, you can connect up to 6 devices simultaneously, and their knowledgeable staff is available 24/7 for assistance through live chat and email.

Applications are available for Android, iOS, Linux, Windows, and macOS, featuring additional features like threat protection to block ads, malware, and phishing attempts. NordVPN collects limited user information, such as device identifiers, although it has undergone two audits by PwC Switzerland.

For the best UK IP address, NordVPN is our top pick, capable of handling virtually all tasks requiring a UK IP address. It offers strong security, high unblocking capabilities, and multiple UK servers. It also includes an industry-standard 30-day money-back guarantee.

I’ve tested this to make sure you can indeed get your money back. Initially, the support team tried to extend my trial period, but when I told them I wasn’t interested in an extension, they promptly initiated the refund process. I got my money back within 4 business days. Make sure you buy NordVPN and get another 3 months free >>

How to use NordVPN VPN

To use NordVPN, perform the following simple steps:

Go to the NordVPN website and sign up for a subscription.
Download the NordVPN app for the device you want to use.
Enter your login password in the app.
Enable the Obfuscation Server by going to: Settings > Show Advanced Settings > Obfuscation Server (toggle it on).
Now, connect to one of the obfuscation servers by clicking on the “Servers” tab, and then click to automatically connect to the fastest VPN server, or manually select the server location.
Use NordVPN and unlock all online content.

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2. Surfshark – Recommend the cheapest VPN

If value for money is essential, Surfshark is an excellent choice. It has 350+ UK servers in London, Manchester, Glasgow, and Edinburgh, and thanks to WireGuard implementation, it offers high speeds. You can use an unlimited number of devices with a single account, which further reduces costs if you’re sharing with others.

Surfshark does not retain traffic logs, and it does collect some diagnostic information, which is deleted 15 minutes after the VPN session ends. As we’ve mentioned, the company merged with Nord Security in 2023, with a promise to keep each service operating independently.

You’ll find applications for every popular operating system, and it can even be installed on routers. It’s once again used for accessing multiple UK streaming platforms, including Netflix, Sky, iPlayer, ITV Hub, and All 4

It features top-notch security functions and adheres to a no-logs policy, protecting your privacy with features like WebRTC, IPv6, and DNS leak protection, as well as a kill switch. I tried switching from a server in Manchester to London while having ITV open, and the application notified me that the kill switch would block my traffic until I established a secure connection, indicating Surfshark‘s commitment to data protection.

Notable features include split tunneling, the ability to use NoBorders VPN in restricted regions, and MultiHop (Double VPN). With unlimited connections, you can use Surfshark on as many devices as you want without affecting your performance.

Surfshark offers a static IP address, providing you the same UK IP address each time you connect to the internet. This is an ideal choice for secure remote access to your UK online services. CleanWeb, which blocks all ads, trackers, and malware, allows you to browse UK and international websites with peace of mind.

A monthly subscription may be too costly for me, but the cost of a long-term plan is only $2.30 per month, making Surfshark an economical VPN suitable for secure streaming and access to a UK IP address. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

You can personally try Surfshark with a 30-day money-back guarantee, and its plans start as low as $2.30. Requesting a refund is easy using Surfshark’s live chat feature. While the support team asked me why I wanted to cancel initially, they promptly processed my request, and I had my money back in under 4 days! Make sure you buy Surfshark and get 3 months of service for free>>

How to Download and Install Surfshark

To use Surfshark VPN, perform the following simple steps:

Go to the Surfshark website and sign up for a subscription.
Download the Surfshark app for the device you want to use.
Enter your login credentials in the VPN app.
Enable the NoBorders feature by going to: Settings > Advanced > NoBorders (toggle on).
After activating the NoBorders feature, you can use the VPN as normal.
Enjoy using Surfshark VPN now.

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3. ExpressVPN – The fastest VPN in the world.

ExpressVPN is one of the most popular providers in the market, thanks to its robust network of over 3,000 high-speed servers. It offers a range of powerful applications for all popular devices, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.

The custom Lightway protocol ensures high-speed transfers from any location in the UK. Based in the British Virgin Islands, ExpressVPN is especially privacy-friendly. In 2021, the service was acquired by Kape Technologies for a record-breaking $936 million, the highest amount ever paid for a VPN company.

ExpressVPN does not keep any identifying logs, and the provider has undergone audits by PwC. The TrustedServer technology ensures that servers are wiped clean every time they restart. Many UK streaming platforms cooperate with ExpressVPN, including Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Channel 4, BT Sports, and Now TV, among others.

Apart from speed and reliability, one of ExpressVPN’s true strengths is the vast network of VPN servers. You can choose from over 160 server locations in 94 countries/regions. So, why stop at getting a UK IP address when you can virtually travel the globe digitally?

ExpressVPN‘s security is also top-notch, with built-in kill switch and 256-bit AES encryption, the same standard used by many governments worldwide. Once you’re familiar with the software, you can even use the split tunneling feature to choose which data passes through your VPN.

One minor drawback is that the service is priced slightly higher than most of its competitors. However, it’s still a worthwhile investment overall. ExpressVPN offers 24/7 customer support and is one of the few providers to continuously access UK sports streaming apps.

ExpressVPN is an excellent choice for obtaining a UK IP address, offering fast servers, consistent connections, and the ability to access nearly all services. It comes with a 30-day risk-free refund guarantee.

When I personally tested ExpressVPN’s refund process, the support representative responded to my request in less than a minute via 24/7 live chat. I wasn’t even asked to reconsider or troubleshoot the issue. In fact, my request was processed immediately, and most importantly, I had my money back in less than 5 days! Make sure you get another 3 months free with your ExpressVPN purchase>>

How to set up ExpressVPN VPN

To use ExpressVPN, simply perform the following steps:

Go to the ExpressVPN website and sign up for a subscription.
Log in to your account and download the software for the device you want to use the VPN for.
Open the ExpressVPN app and enter the activation code (from your account page).
Now, connect to one of the nearest servers and use the internet normally.
Instantly use ExpressVPN and unlock all your online content.

What to Look for in a UK IP VPN

Wondering how to choose a VPN? You need to know what you’re looking for because some VPN providers may not be reliable or trustworthy. Check out our tips for selecting the best VPN providers:

UK Server Availability: Naturally, you need to find a VPN provider with servers in the UK. Since it’s a popular country for obtaining a foreign IP, it’s not hard to find providers offering this service. However, this is something you should verify before subscribing, and NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN all have UK VPN servers.
Streaming Compatibility: If you want to watch UK TV online or unlock UK Netflix, all the providers mentioned above should be fine. But if you’re considering others, make sure to check if they’ve had initial issues in unblocking Netflix or other streaming platforms, as some streaming services counter VPN providers by blocking their servers.
Speed: You should check what kind of speeds you can get when using a VPN, especially if you plan to watch UK TV programs online. Most premium VPN services are suitable for streaming, but some free VPNs might have slower speeds or lower data limits.
No-Logs Policy: Ensure that your chosen VPN provider does not collect data on the websites you visit. NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark are verified no-logs VPNs, but this isn’t the case for some free or even paid services out there.

Paid vs. Free VPN for UK

Not sure whether to use a free VPN or a paid VPN service? To watch UK TV online or stream content from UK platforms, you need to go with a paid VPN service. Free VPNs come with limitations that will make it almost impossible to enjoy or finish watching UK TV shows and movies. Here are some downsides to free VPN services:

Data Limitations: Nearly all free VPN services limit the amount of data you can use. This isn’t a big issue if you’re accessing your UK bank account from abroad or shopping online. However, if you plan to watch UK TV shows online, free VPNs won’t get you very far. On the other hand, premium VPNs offer unlimited bandwidth.
Speed: Free VPN services often tend to be slower compared to subscription-based providers. Although ExpressVPN and NordVPN can typically reach speeds of 600-800Mbps, free VPN speeds are much slower. Again, this is a problem if you’re watching UK TV shows online because you’ll frequently be staring at the buffering wheel.
Server Selection: The server choices for most free VPN services are very limited, and some might not even provide UK IP addresses. However, NordVPN has servers in over 60 countries/regions worldwide.
Data Logging: Some free VPNs log your data and might even resell it to marketing agencies. This goes against one of the main advantages of a VPN, which is the privacy it provides. The best VPNs like ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark do not log your data.

In Conclusion

Getting a UK IP address is easy—all you need to do is connect to a UK VPN server. When you connect, your IP address changes, and it’s replaced with the IP of the VPN server. This way, you can get a UK IP and unlock BBC iPlayer or watch a variety of other region-locked UK TV shows.

If needed, you can switch to another IP address, such as a Mexican IP. Using a VPN also gives you higher online anonymity and security, and it can even save you money! To stay updated on everything happening in the UK, I recommend downloading a VPN.

By encrypting your traffic, you can access UK websites for news, banking, streaming, and more without compromising your online security. My top recommendation is NordVPN.

NordVPN is the best VPN for obtaining a UK IP address. It offers 5,600+ servers in over 60 countries/regions, with various servers located in Docklands, Midlands, East London, Wembley, and London2. NordVPN delivers fast speeds and strong security. Plus, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test all of NordVPN’s features risk-free.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to use a VPN to obtain a UK IP address?

Yes, using a VPN to obtain a UK IP address is absolutely safe, and in fact, using a VPN for your online activities is much safer. This is because connecting to a server (regardless of your location) ensures that your data is encrypted. By connecting to a UK server to obtain a UK IP address, you’ll be able to browse anonymously because your identity and physical location are unrelated to the VPN’s IP address.

Is it legal to use a UK IP address when abroad?

Yes, using a UK IP address is entirely legal. After all, there are no laws that prohibit changing your IP address. If there were such laws, remote workers using VPNs to securely access company networks would run into serious trouble. So, unless you have criminal intentions, using a VPN shouldn’t pose any issues.

How can I hide my IP address while in the UK?

You can use a VPN to hide your IP address. A VPN is a service that encrypts data you send to and receive from the internet and reroutes it through a VPN server. VPNs effectively encrypt your traffic, ensuring that no one can see your online activities, even though your network is continuously monitored.

Will a UK IP address from a VPN provider prevent my ISP from limiting BBC iPlayer?

There are reputable high-quality VPN services, including NordVPN, that offer unlimited bandwidth. By connecting to a UK server with these VPNs to obtain a UK IP address, you can easily bypass ISP restrictions and stream BBC iPlayer without interruptions.

Will a UK IP address from a VPN slow down my connection speed?

VPNs may slightly reduce your connection speed, depending on the provider you choose and your physical distance from the server. Other factors, such as the devices you use, protocols, and the time of day, might also come into play. However, the premium providers listed above are suitable for streaming, gaming, and torrenting without lag or buffering issues.

Do all VPNs provide a UK IP address?

The vast majority of premium VPN services have servers in the UK, allowing you to obtain a UK IP address. This is because the UK is a popular country for many users who want to access UK services while abroad. Additionally, many UK users wish to connect to local UK IP addresses to use the internet as if they were at home, with added privacy encryption to prevent their ISP (and the UK government) from tracking them.

Unfortunately, most VPNs have been blocked by popular UK television platforms and streaming services. This means that when you connect to a UK IP address, you might still be unable to watch BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, Channel 4, Sky Go, BT Sport, Disney+, Amazon Prime, and other popular streaming platforms.

To avoid disappointment, you should choose your VPN provider carefully. The good news is that most VPNs offer a refund guarantee, so you can test their UK IP for yourself and see if it can access the content you’re interested in. Alternatively, you can check our list of the best VPN services.

Can I use these VPNs to access my UK online banking?

VPNs allow you to access a wide range of region-locked websites and services, including streaming services, news websites, social media platforms, and even online banking accounts. They all check your IP address to determine your location, but you can use the VPNs listed in this article to change your IP address and access their content as usual.

What is the cheapest UK VPN?

If you’re looking for an affordable UK VPN, Surfshark is a good choice. It costs just $2.30 per month and comes with advantages that can rival the best VPNs on the market. For example, Surfshark boasts a vast server network covering over 100 countries/regions worldwide.

This extensive server coverage will help you access content from any region, guaranteeing fast connection speeds with no delays. It also offers excellent cross-platform compatibility, allowing you to use it on any device. Additionally, the unlimited connections feature is intriguing when you consider the low price. This means you can easily share the cost with family and friends. So, give it a try with their 30-day refund guarantee.

The Best VPN in the UK – Easy to get a UK IP address (2023 Oct)