RTVE is one of Spain’s most popular streaming services but unfortunately, it isn’t available in any other countries. It’s far from the only platform to use this kind of geo-blocking feature too, with Netflix’s library changing drastically from one place to another. If you try to stream RTVE from abroad, you’ll simply see this error:
Fortunately, it’s easy to watch RTVE outside of Spain with the help of a quality VPN (Virtual Private Network). The best VPNs offer a number of advantages but primarily encrypt your traffic and route it through an intermediary server, hiding your true IP address and location. Not only does this let you browse the web safely and privately, but it can also unblock RTVE abroad.
If you don’t have time to read the full reviews just yet, here’s a quick summary of the best VPNs to watch RTVE abroad:
The best VPNs for watching RTVE abroad:
- NordVPN: The best VPN for RTVE. Large server network and fast speeds. Unblocks most content including RTVE. 24/7 support and specialty P2P servers. No-logs policy.
- Surfshark: Best value VPN. Lets you connect an unlimited number of devices. It Unblocks RTVE as well as other streaming services. No-logs VPN with encryption and 24/7 live chat support.
- ExpressVPN: Offers speed and reliability, perfect for streaming RTVE. Also works with Netflix. 24/7 support and offers a high level of security with encryption.
- CyberGhost: Fast VPN with a strict no-logs policy. Works with RVTE and Netflix US. Secure up to 7 devices. Offers 24/7 support and user-friendly apps.
- IPVanish: Connect all of your devices. Good servers in Spain for watching RTVE. Live chat support and strong security with encryption and no logs.
- PrivateVPN: High-speed servers for lag and buffer-free streaming. Great for RTVE and Netflix. Easy-to-use apps and option to connect up to 6 devices.
- Hotspot Shield: Provides servers in 80 countries and unblocks RTVE. 24/7 support. Doesn’t keep identifying logs.
The best VPNs for RTVE – 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 RTVE.
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.
Best VPNs for RTVE
Not all VPNs are capable of unblocking RTVE while keeping you safe online. In order to find the best VPN for RTVE, we’ve looked for those that offer the following:
- Fast servers in Spain for streaming RTVE
- Quick and efficient customer support
- Security features such as encryption and a kill switch
- No-logs policy to protect your privacy
- Beginner-friendly apps for desktop and mobile platforms
- A money-back guarantee so you can try risk-free
Here’s our list of the best VPNs for RTVE:
1. NordVPN
Jan 2023
unblocks RTVETested Jan 2023
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
- Background
- FireTV
Website: www.NordVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
NordVPN stands out for its high number of servers. At the time of writing, there are over 5,000 servers in total, some 60 of which are located in Spain. For this reason, you’ll find watching RTVE abroad very easy. Indeed, you’ll also be able to use NordVPN to watch content on Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer, among many other options. The streaming of RTVE was extremely smooth with minimal buffering and zero lag. It’s also worth noting that you can use NordVPN to connect up to 6 devices.
You may also appreciate the option of specialty Double VPN servers for added security and a dedicated IP for navigating sites that blacklist shared IP addresses. You’ll also find many security features including 256-bit AES encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch. The latter protects you and your data should the connection drop even for a second. NordVPN operates a no-logs policy, protecting your online privacy.
BEST VPN FOR RTVE:NordVPN is our #1 choice. 5,000 servers worldwide. Works with RTVE, Netflix, and more. Excellent 24/7 support. Secure no-logs policy, easy-to-use apps, and 6 simultaneous connections. With the 30-day money-back guarantee, you’ll be able to try it out risk-free.
Pros:
- Dozens of servers in Spain for watching RTVE abroad
- Fast speeds and no bandwidth throttling
- Ideal for streaming Spanish TV
- Connect up to six devices via a single account
- Provides 24/7 support via live chat and email
- Specialty servers including P2P and Double VPN
Cons:
- Suffered a data breach in 2018
Our score:
Read our full NordVPN review.
2. Surfshark
unblocks RTVETested Jan 2023
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.Surfshark.com
This VPN provides excellent customer support which is available via live chat, 24/7. However, you should find Surfshark to be very easy to use since it offers well-designed apps and browser extensions. Your online security is important and Surfshark takes this seriously, using 256-bit AES encryption to secure your data. There’s also DNS and IPv6 leak protection, a kill switch, and a strict no-logs policy.
BEST VALUE VPN:Surfshark lets you secure as many devices as you want which is perfect for large families. Real streaming potential. 24/7 support, easy-to-use apps and browser extensions. No-logs policy. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Fastest VPN we’ve tested for lag-free streaming
Works with RTVE and 30+ Netflix libraries
Connect an unlimited number of devices simultaneously
Provides 24/7 support via live chat and email
Can be slow to disconnect or switch servers
Read our full Surfshark review.
3. ExpressVPN
Website: www.ExpressVPN.com
ExpressVPN is a great VPN for RTVE. With high-speed servers in Barcelona and Madrid, you’ll be able to watch RTVE outside Spain with ease. Indeed, you’ll have your choice of over 3,000 VPN servers around the world. This means you’ll also be able to access content from countries including the USA, UK, and Japan. Our experience with ExpressVPN on RTVE was positive thanks to the high-speed servers and stable connection.
Choosing ExpressVPN to stream RTVE outside Spain is a safe choice when you consider the security on offer. Hacking and surveillance are prevented through 256-bit AES encryption, DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leak protection, and a kill switch. Just as important, ExpressVPN does not keep identifying logs of users which means that you’re free to browse with your privacy intact. If you do have any questions about ExpressVPN, you can always use the 24/7 live chat support.
Servers in 94 countries including Spain for unblocking RTVE
High-speed connections and unlimited bandwidth
Easy to use apps and strong security
Offers 24/7 support via live chat and email
Not the cheapest of VPNs on the market
May take some trial and error to find a server suitable for streaming
Read our full ExpressVPN review.
4. CyberGhost
Website: www.Cyberghost.com
Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS
CyberGhost is a VPN that has a huge network of more than 9,000 servers worldwide. This is one of the best VPNs for watching RTVE abroad as it has over 150 servers in Spain. You have the choice of a specific server or you can let CyberGhost do the work for you, assigning the fastest server available. This VPN is also known for offering fast speeds and reliable connections and worked well with RTVE as well as Netflix and Disney+.
We found setting up and using CyberGhost to be super simple. Upon opening the app, you’ll encounter a few features which you can activate at the click of a button including Ad-Blocker, Force HTTPS, and ad-blocking. You may have questions about some of the features on offer, in which case you can contact CyberGhost’s 24/7 live chat support. Aside from 256-bit AES encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch, CyberGhost also has a strict no-logs policy.
9,000+ SERVERS:CyberGhost has over 150 servers in Spain. Watch RTVE, Netflix, and more. Strong security with encryption and no-logs policy. Beginner-friendly apps and browser extensions. 24/7 support. 45-day money-back guarantee.
A rapidly growing network of servers with 150+ in Spain
No bandwidth throttling so you can stream lag-free
The strict no-logs policy ensures your data stays private
Live chat and email support, available 24/7
Doesn’t work in China
No option to allow local networking
Read our full CyberGhost review.
5. IPVanish
Website: www.IPVanish.com
What’s particularly noticeable about IPVanish’s apps is that they’re very simple to use. Switching servers is quick and easy which makes this VPN ideal for beginners. Strong security is on offer with 256-bit AES encryption as well as DNS and lPv6 leak protection and a kill switch. Finally, a zero-logs policy should enable you to surf the web with peace of mind.
- Headquartered in the US which is a member of Five Eyes
- Doesn’t offer an option to pay in Bitcoin/cryptocurrency
Read our full IPVanish review.
6. PrivateVPN
Website: www.PrivateVPN.com
Connecting to and switching servers is very responsive and the app itself is simple with an easy-to-follow interface. You can use PrivateVPN on up to 10 devices at once, which means you and your family or friends can secure both computers and mobile devices alike. The security offering is strong with 256-bit AES encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch. PrivateVPN also states that it has a strict no-logging policy.
HIGH-SPEED SERVERS:PrivateVPN is a fast VPN for streaming RTVE, as well as torrenting. Beginner-friendly apps and excellent live chat support. Highly secure with encryption. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Fast for streaming RTVE, Netflix, and BBC iPlayer
Apps are very beginner-friendly
Use on up to 10 devices
Secure with encryption and a no-logs policy
Only has around 200 servers in total
Live chat support isn’t available 24/7
Read our full PrivateVPN review.
7. Hotspot Shield
unblocks rtveTested Jan 2023
Website: www.Hotspotshield.com
Editor’s Note: Hotspot Shield is owned by Pango, Comparitech’s parent company.
This VPN service includes live chat and email support which you can access 24 hours a day. Security-wise, there’s no shortage of features with 256-bit AES encryption, kill switch and DNS leak protection. Note that Hotspot Shield doesn’t keep any logs by which you can be identified.
Servers covering 80 countries including Spain
No bandwidth throttling so you can stream RTVE lag-free
Includes 24/7 support via live chat and email
Lots of security features
Questionable privacy policy
Doesn’t have specific servers for streaming Spanish content
Read our full Hotspot Shield review.
How to watch RTVE abroad with a VPN
Here’s how to stream RTVE online from abroad (outside Spain):
- Sign up with one of the best VPNs for RTVE. We recommend NordVPN.
- Follow the instructions for downloading and installing the VPN software on your streaming device.
- Open the VPN and connect to a server in Spain for a Spanish IP address (this is the only country with full access to RTVE content).
- Try the content that was initially unavailable to you. It should now be unblocked (if not, try clearing your browser’s cache and cookies for the changes to take effect).
- Enjoy the unrestricted content on RTVE! Still having trouble? You can always get in touch with your VPN’s customer support.
Methodology: How we found the best VPN for RTVE
There are so many VPNs on the market that choosing one can prove something of a challenge. This is particularly the case if you’re looking to unblock a streaming platform such as RTVE and you’re not sure which one will work. We had this in mind (and a lot more!) as we searched for the best VPNs for RTVE for which our methodology is outlined below.
- Servers in Spain: RTVE is only available in Spain which means we could only select VPNs with servers in the country. This allows you to get a Spanish IP address for unblocking RTVE content from abroad. We tested each VPN to make sure its servers worked with the streaming platform.
- Speed: We also had to test that each VPN provides fast speeds so you can stream RTVE in the highest quality. All of the fastest VPNs also offer unlimited bandwidth. The benefit is that you can then stream as much as you like without having to worry about performance issues such as lag or buffering.
- Network size: The larger the server network, the more content you can unblock. In the case of the VPNs listed in this post, their networks span dozens of countries including the US and UK. As such, they’re great options for accessing international streaming services such as Netflix.
- Security: Browsing and streaming on the web come with some level of risks such as DDoS attacks and phishing. A VPN encrypts your data, providing a vital layer of protection. Some of the VPNs we’ve covered even offer extra features, be it Double VPN servers or access to a password manager.
- Privacy: Some VPNs don’t protect your privacy and may even make money by selling your data to third parties. If you’d like to browse and stream anonymously, you’ll need a VPN with a strict no-logs policy like those listed here. We’ve looked at over 140 VPN logging policies and found the very best.
- Ease of use: Not all VPNs make it easy to connect to a server, adjust your preferences, or speak to a human when you need help! Fortunately, we only recommend VPNs that offer beginner-friendly apps and that include 24/7 support via live chat as well as email.
- Value for money: You’ll find VPNs at all different price points. The best VPNs for RTVE offer all of the above features while remaining good value for money. Indeed, we even provide VPN discount coupons so you can get a subscription with your preferred provider at an even better rate.
Want to know more about how we test VPNs? Our VPN testing methodology provides even greater insight into how we analyze each area of a VPN and ultimately find those that are best for use with RTVE.
Can I use a free VPN to watch RTVE?
Some free VPNs will work in unblocking geo-restricted content on RTVE, yes. However, there are a number of reasons why we don’t recommend free VPNs:
- A VPN encrypts your network’s traffic which takes resources, an area where free VPNs are lacking. For this reason, the majority of free VPNs have slow speeds. A small number of servers and limits on data and bandwidth mean your experience will likely be a frustrating one.
- Running a VPN is expensive and that means that any free VPN has to make money somehow. So how are they doing it? Often, it’s through the use of ads or upgrade sales. However, some free VPNs put your privacy at risk by keeping a log of your activities and selling the data to third parties.
- Some websites are now implementing VPN blockers to prevent VPN users from gaining access. Many free VPNs struggle to get past anti-VPN software. In contrast, the best paid-for VPNs on the market have consistently found ways around VPN blockers, allowing you to access the likes of RTVE and Netflix.
- Many free VPNs lack important security features such as a kill switch. A kill switch feature disconnects you from the internet so that if the connection is cut, your real IP address isn’t exposed. Since lots of people use free VPNs and such services can be unreliable, you may find your connection dropping, so a kill switch is especially important.
- Aside from having limited security features, free VPNs can contain malware. This can result in the theft of your data, which is ironic considering a VPN is supposed to protect you.
Simply put, a free VPN is just not worth the risk.
What can I watch on RTVE?
There’s no shortage of options when it comes to what you can watch on RTVE. It’s possible to watch live TV and listen to live radio as well as watch a variety of TV shows, series, and children’s shows on demand. Some of the options include:
- Live TV: La 1, La 2, Teledeporte (tdp), Canal 24 horas (24h), Clan
- Live radio: Radio Nacional (rne), Radio Clásica (radio C), Radio 3, Radio 4, Radio 5, Radio Exterior (radio e)
- TV shows and series: El Continental, Estoy Vivo, MasterChef Celebrity, Centro Médico, La Mañana
- Children’s shows: Peppa Pig, Trolls, The Garfield Show, The Looney Tunes Show, Teletubbies, Thomas & Friends
