After years of broadcasting free-to-air television shows to families all around the country, RTL has steadily become one of the most popular streaming channels in Germany. Recently, the RTL Group has rebranded its TV Now OTT service to RTL+, which is now the company’s primary distributing platform. On RTL+ you can stream classic movies, documentaries, USA reliability shows, European series, and much more! 

RTL+ is a German-language streaming platform and is currently only accessible by those who reside within Germany. If you live elsewhere in the world or are traveling outside of Germany, then your access to RTL will be blocked. This is due to geo-restrictions which regularly affect streaming services that are only licensed to broadcast their content within a set region or country. 

If you still want to stream RTL from anywhere in the world, then you’ll need a VPN. Using a VPN, you can spoof your location and pretend that you’re accessing the channel from within Germany. You can then stream all available content on RTL+ without any restrictions. Keep reading to find out more about how to stream RTL from anywhere using a VPN.

The RTL logo.
You can unblock and stream from just about every channel or streaming service in the world using a VPN. This includes ORF, SRF, Peacock, and Fox Sports!

How to stream RTL from anywhere quick guide 

Follow this simple guide to set up a VPN to stream RTL from any country in the world. It only takes a few minutes!

  1. Choose a VPN

    To stream RTL from anywhere, you need a VPN with fast connection speeds and military-grade encryption. For this, we highly recommend ExpressVPN.

  2. Download app/client

    Once you’ve chosen a suitable VPN, you can download the app or client on whichever devices you want to stream from. Next, open up the app/client to see a list of available servers. 

  3. Connect to a server

    Connect to any server that’s located in Germany (since this is the only country where RTL can be streamed). After connecting, your IP address will be replaced by the server’s and you’ll appear to be located in Germany.

  4. Start streaming

    Now you can head to the RTL+ website to start watching hours and hours of exclusive content!

Top tip – If you still can’t unblock RTL after following these steps, then you can try clearing your browser’s cache and reconnecting to a different server.

 

Watch RTL with ExpressVPN* now!

Why do I need a VPN to stream RTL?

Due to licensing agreements and other broadcasting laws, many streaming services are only allowed to stream content within a set country or region. In this case, RTL is only licensed to broadcast content to viewers that are located in Germany. If you’re living or travelling outside of Germany, then you are unable to stream any content from RTL+. These geo-restrictions can affect all streaming services from around the world, including widely popular platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video. 

Geo-restrictions are effectively enforced through IP addresses as these can determine exactly where each user is located. So, when you visit RTL, the website can see whether or not you’re in Germany and block your access accordingly. The only way to bypass these restrictions is by concealing your IP address.

Luckily, with a VPN, this is not only possible but also incredibly easy to do. VPNs work by establishing a private connection between your device and one of their servers. These servers are scattered all across the world and each have an IP address of their own. When you connect to a VPN’s server, all your traffic is rerouted through the server before reaching the final destination (aka any website URL you click on). Since all your traffic is encrypted by the VPN, your IP address will be hidden as it travels to the server. Therefore, your online activity can only be traced back to the server. This means that the server will act as the source of your traffic and any websites you visit will see the server’s IP address rather than your own.

So, let’s break this down. If you live in the UK, for example, and you want to unblock RTL and watch the platform’s exclusive content. All you need to do is download a VPN app and connect to any server that’s located in Germany. Once connected, all your traffic will travel through the server before reaching the RTL website. As this traffic will be coming directly from the VPN server, you’ll appear to be located wherever your chosen VPN is. This means that RTL will see you as having a German IP address and will therefore not restrict your access to their content. It really is super simple to spoof your location with a VPN, and you don’t even need to be technologically advanced to do so!

What is the best VPN for streaming RTL from anywhere?

To stream RTL from any country, you need a VPN that is able to bypass even the toughest geo-restrictions. You’ll also want to opt for an affordable provider that offers plenty of additional features that can make your online experience both safe and enjoyable. With all this in mind, here is our top recommended VPN for unblocking RTL –  

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is our top choice when it comes to streaming RTL from anywhere due to its expansive server network, advanced security features, and super-fast connection speeds. With servers in 94 countries worldwide and in over 40 countries in Europe, including the UK, Germany, France, Switzerland, and Spain, you’ll have no trouble unblocking RTL, regardless of your real location. 

On top of ExpressVPN’s military-grade AES-256 encryption, this VPN provides users with various other security features that can ensure their safety when online. For instance, the VPN’s kill switch, Network Lock, will automatically stop any traffic from entering or leaving your device if it detects an interruption in your connection. This prevents your security from ever being compromised due to a failed connection and ensures that your IP address is never accidentally leaked. Other security and privacy features offered by ExpressVPN include split tunnelling support, private DNS, a no-logs policy, and anonymous payment options. 

With ExpressVPN, you’ll get unlimited bandwidth, so you can stream RTL as much and as often as you like. You’re also permitted up to five simultaneous connections under a single account or unlimited connections if you download the VPN app on your home router. By connecting to your router, you can protect your entire home network at no extra cost. 

The ExpressVPN app/client is available for download on any Windows, macOS, iOs, Android, and Linux device. Additionally, you can also use this VPN on your smart TV such as Apple, Samsung, and Amazon Fire, or on your gaming console. There are also browser extensions available for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge which will make it easier for you to connect to servers, manage settings, and change locations. 

Overall, ExpressVPN is a high-performing VPN that’s suitable for anyone who wants to bypass geo-restrictions and stream RTL from anywhere. You can also have peace of mind knowing that you’re protected against potential threats such as hackers and malware since this VPN has a fantastic range of security features. If you’re still unsure whether this VPN is right for you or not, then try out ExpressVPN for free for 30 days with their risk-free money-back guarantee! 

 

Watch RTL with ExpressVPN* now!

What can I watch on RTL using a VPN? 

RTL+ has hours upon hours of content that will entertain anyone, whether you enjoy nature, sports, horrors, classics, dramas, or reality TV. Check out RTL’s extensive programme guide to see what shows and movies you could be watching for free! Here’s a sneak peek of what you can be watching on RTL –

Exclusive German series 

  • 8 Zeugen 
  • Rampensau 
  • Das Wichtigste Im Leben 

Nature documentaries 

  • Ein Waisenhaus Fur Nashörner
  • Rottnest Island 
  • Unsere Extreme Welt 

Music documentaries

  • Oasis: Supersonic
  • Joan Jett: I love Rock ‘n’ Roll
  • MP 3: Die Musik Revolution 

True crime

  • War Es Mord?
  • Seeds Of Deceit: Kinder einer Lüge
  • Killing Escobar 

Classic movies 

  • Sissi
  • Christine
  • Das Mädchen Und Der Kommissar

Horror movies/series  

  • Freakish 
  • The Twilight Zone 
  • Leicht Wie Eine Feder

US series

  • How I Met Your Mother
  • Two And a Half Men
  • Catfish

RTL + originals

  • Villa Der Liebe
  • Temptation Island 
  • KBV 

FAQS

Is it legal to use a VPN?

Yes! It’s completely legal to use a VPN in most countries. We would advise you to check out the laws regarding VPNs for your country. However, in the majority of cases, VPNs are 100% legal (including Germany). 

Which devices can I stream RTL from?

The RTL app is available for download on any Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS device.

Will a VPN slow down my connection speeds?

If you’re using a VPN to connect to a server in a different country, then there will be a slight drop in connection speeds. This is due to your internet traffic having to travel further to reach the VPN server. Despite this, the drop in speed is so minimal that you likely won’t even notice a difference!