So it’s race day, and you want to follow the free F1 live stream on RTBF. Or a new episode of your favourite show drops on Netflix Belgium, and you itch to whip out your phone and stream it. The issue? You’re currently abroad. And in both cases, the platforms only work in that territory. These and similar dilemmas leave you with a few choices: sigh and wait until you’re back in Belgium or scramble for alternatives that may not perform as well as your first-choice platforms. But a solution works even better: get a Belgian IP address.
If you’re going this route, the best approach is a VPN. It’s pretty easy, and this article will provide a working guide to getting one in five steps.
How a VPN Gives You an IP Address in Belgium
When you connect to a VPN, your device connects to a VPN server.
The server then encrypts your traffic and routes it through its network to the destination server—the website or service you’re trying to visit. It sees the VPN server’s IP address as the source IP address of your traffic.
In practical terms, you could get a Belgian IP address from a Brussels server while you’re halfway around the world in a cafe in Sydney, Australia. Just use a VPN with servers in Belgium.
Any websites you visit afterwards should consider your traffic originating from the Belgian capital. The quality of the VPN is crucial for this.
Get a Belgian IP Abroad With NordVPN
How to Get a Belgian IP Address (Step-by-step Tutorial)
Here’s a simple five-step guide to getting an IP address in Belgium using a VPN. We use NordVPN for this, but the process follows for any other provider.
Step 1: Choose a Reliable VPN
Select a reputable VPN service like NordVPN. Look for features such as a vast server network, strong security protocols, and good customer support.
Step 2: Sign Up and Subscribe
On the NordVPN website, create an account by providing your email and payment information. Choose a subscription plan that suits your needs, such as monthly, annual, or biennial.
Step 3: Install the VPN App
Download the appropriate app for your device from the official website or app store. When done, install the app.
Step 4: Connect to a Belgian Server
Launch the NordVPN app and log in using your account credentials. From the server list, choose a server located in Belgium. Click on the Belgian server to connect.
Step 5: Verify Your Belgian IP Address
Once connected, your IP address will be masked with a Belgian IP address. You can verify this by using an online IP address checker or visiting a Belgian website. Enjoy browsing the internet with a Belgian IP and accessing region-specific content.
Previously geo-blocked websites should load immediately, making it feel like you’re in the country.
The 3 Best VPNs to Get a Belgian IP Address
Belgium is a fairly popular VPN location. With so many available options, deciding on the best provider is not easy. Fortunately, we’ve done most of the work for you by narrowing the dozens of eligible services to the best three.
For this selection, we focused on premium providers. While there are a few good free VPNs, you should avoid most of them.
7492 servers
118 covered countries
30 days money-back guarantee
10 simultaneous connections
9.8 /10
3000 servers
105 covered countries
30 days money-back guarantee
8 simultaneous connections
9.4 /10
12000 servers
100 covered countries
45 days money-back guarantee
7 simultaneous connections
9.2 /10
1. NordVPN
Pros
- Over 7,900 servers (including Belgium)
- Advanced kill switch
- Streaming and P2P prowess
- Powerful encryption
- NordLynx protocol
Cons
- No monthly plan discounts
- Occasional slowdowns
Panama-based NordVPN is the best option for getting a Belgian IP address, with its dozens of servers in the country. They are part of its impressive collection of 7,900+ servers across 125+ countries.
Browse, stream, and play online games free from annoying interruptions, thanks to NordVPN’s lightning-fast speeds. The VPN barely drops your Internet connection so that you can stream in 4K without any buffering, thanks to its proprietary NordLynx protocol.
NordVPN breezes past geo-blocks without breaking a sweat. Whether you’re interested in streaming local or international content, you can tune in just fine — connect to a VPN server in the target location.
With NordVPN, you get high-level security and privacy for your online activities. It implements AES 256-bit encryption to scramble your data, the industry standard among top VPN providers. Thanks to a verified logless policy, the provider cannot hand over sensitive information to third parties.
Advanced kill switch and leak protection ensure your identity doesn’t leak out by mistake. NordVPN’s Threat Protection Pro has a three-pronged attack against ads, malware, and trackers. And to take you as close to complete anonymity as possible, there’s built-in Onion over VPN functionality.
NordVPN is compatible with desktops, smartphones, routers, game consoles, and more. A single subscription can be used on up to ten devices simultaneously. Looking to give the VPN a try? It’s risk-free, backed by its 30-day refund policy.
2. ExpressVPN
Pros
- Intuitive applications
- No-logging policy
- Servers based on RAM
- Compatible with all devices
Cons
- It could be more affordable
- Some features are lacking
Blazing-fast speeds, top-of-the-line privacy and security features, reliable performance, and more. It’s no wonder many consider ExpressVPN the best provider around. The provider offers 3,000+ servers across 105 countries, with several in Belgium.
So it’s no coincidence that ExpressVPN is featured in this article on how to get a Belgian IP address. ExpressVPN outperforms most of its rivals in speed, consistently topping our fastest VPN leaderboard after NordVPN. It’s an excellent choice for data-heavy activities like streaming in ultra-HD quality.
Never miss out on the local content you love when you’re away. ExpressVPN effectively bypasses geo-restrictions to let you stream on Belgian services like VRT and Netflix Belgium from anywhere. Unblocking international streaming services is also a piece of cake, whether it’s Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, or more.
Military-grade encryption protects your identity and privacy when you go online. The VPN has a kill switch and IP/DNS protection to prevent accidental leaks. What’s more, with RAM-based servers and an audited no-logs policy, there’s no chance ExpressVPN collects and stores user data.
Broad compatibility means you can protect your computers, smartphones, and other devices. For plans six months and above, it permits use on up to eight devices simultaneously. ExpressVPN is not the cheapest VPN on the market. But if user testimonies are anything to go by, it’s certainly worth the extra bucks.
To get the most out of your subscription, you could take advantage of a 61% discount on its biennial plan to receive four months extra. If you’re not 100% satisfied with this VPN, you can apply for a refund within a month of your purchase. No questions asked.
Get a Belgian IP with ExpressVPN
3. CyberGhost
Pros
- Streaming-optimised servers
- Dedicated IP addresses
- Cheap biennial plan
- NoSpy servers
Cons
- Limited to seven simultaneous connections
- No Double VPN servers
More than 12,000 servers make up CyberGhost’s pool, spanning 100 countries. Belgium has its fair share, with over 200 servers in the capital, Brussels, making it easy to get a Belgian IP. With so many options, you’ll always find a server to suit you, wherever you travel.
The VPN is no slouch—no surprise there, as its infrastructure runs on 10 Gbps. Alongside a couple of other protocols, it offers WireGuard, the fastest available option. If you’re into streaming, torrenting, or gaming, dedicated servers are optimised for the best performance.
Do you prefer to watch the French Open for free (it’s legal, by the way) on RTBF, but cannot do so because you’re abroad? CyberGhost reaches past geo-restrictions easily on local and international websites and services. You’ll have no issues streaming on various platforms from anywhere.
With CyberGhost, you can use the Internet freely, never having to worry about hackers or government surveillance. It uses bank-level AES encryption and advanced leak protection to secure your Internet traffic from cybercriminals.
The provider’s ad blocker comes in handy if you’re like most people who could do with fewer intrusive ads. On top of that, you’ll be leaving no paper trails of your online activities, as its no-logs policy is airtight.
CyberGhost works on all the major platforms, as well as devices like streaming boxes, smart TVs, and game consoles. It lets you connect up to seven devices with just one subscription. On a budget? CyberGhost’s long-term plans will look attractive.
You even have more than ample time to try it out risk-free with its 45-day money-back guarantee.
Get a Belgian IP with CyberGhost
Can You Get a Belgian IP Address With a Proxy?
Yes, you can get an IP address in Belgium with a proxy service. Like a VPN, it is an intermediary between your device and the Internet. In the process, it hides your IP address and assigns you a new one. In this case, a Belgian IP address.
But while a proxy is an option, it shouldn’t be the first. VPNs encrypt your traffic, while proxy servers do not. This means your traffic is more secure when you use the former, as hackers find it much more difficult to intercept and read.
In addition, proxy servers have a harder time beating geo-restrictions on websites and online platforms. 99.9% of the time, popular streaming services like Netflix will detect and block proxies from accessing exclusive content.
Conclusion
If you want to get a Belgian IP address for privacy, streaming, or other purposes, a VPN is the best bet. But VPN providers are not all built equally. This article highlighted the best options to consider when making a choice.
Our top recommendation is NordVPN, with its unrivaled performance and feature-rich service. That said, ExpressVPN and CyberGhost are no placeholders. With any of these providers, you can hop on a Belgian server from anywhere in the world, backed by top-notch functionality.
FAQs
Can you get a Belgian IP address with a free VPN?
You’ll have a hard time doing so. Most free VPN services only offer limited server locations, focusing on the most popular destinations like the US and the UK. Even if they have Belgian servers, free VPNs are usually limited by bandwidth caps and may pose security and privacy risks.
Is a VPN the only way to get a Belgian IP address?
You can also get an IP address in Belgium with a proxy service. But watch out — this alternative is not as secure because of the lack of encryption. Consequently, your Internet traffic would be vulnerable to monitoring and interception by your ISP, hackers, and other entities.
Are VPNs legal in Belgium?
Yes. As in most other countries, VPNs are completely legal in Belgium. You’ll not get into trouble if you don’t commit any crimes while using one.
