Whether you’re on vacation in the Netherlands or reside there permanently, it’s a good idea to utilize a Virtual Private Network (VPN) while you’re online.
Apart from protecting the privacy of your online activities, a VPN provides a slew of other benefits. If you like streaming content, a VPN enables you to safely access websites that are normally inaccessible to residents of the Netherlands. For instance, if you want to watch US Netflix episodes while on vacation in Holland, a VPN will get you access. Additionally, since our suggestions are hosted in Holland, you may access Dutch services while traveling, such as NPO, Ziggo Go, or KIJK programs.
Apart from unblocking content, a VPN also provides enhanced security and privacy. It encrypts your online traffic, making it impossible for ISPs and third parties to track your activities. This is critical in the Netherlands because of European Union data retention regulations. If you pirate or use Kodi, a VPN enables you to do it safely and secretly. Additionally, if you use public Wi-Fi, which is unavoidable while traveling or on the road, a VPN will protect your information from being stolen by hackers.
VPNs provide a plethora of benefits and are often simple to set up and use. Additionally, you may get a respectable service without breaking the bank. Having said that, not all VPN companies are equal, and some are a complete waste of money.
We examine security, connection speeds, the ability to unblock streaming services, and server locations when recommending VPNs that are worth your time.
Best VPN for the Netherlands
To help you find a dependable service, we’ve suggested a top VPN for the Netherlands using the following criteria:
- Provides hosting services in the Netherlands.
- Connects users in a timely and secure manner.
- Possibility of safely accessing streaming services located outside the Netherlands.
- Secures data using robust encryption and other security features.
NordVPN
NordVPN boasts a plethora of features. With over 5,000 servers in several countries, the Panama-based firm has over 200 servers in the Netherlands, making sure that you’ll never be short of alternatives both inside and beyond the nation. NordVPN is perfect for streaming because of its speed and ability to secure access to US Netflix, HBO, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and BBC iPlayer.
The service places a high premium on privacy, enforcing a stringent no-log policy. It saves no records, not even the bandwidth used. This is complemented by robust security features such as 256-bit encryption, DNS leak prevention, and a kill switch.
One of NordVPN’s selling points is that some servers are designed for certain tasks, such as video streaming and anti-DDoS. (Distributed Denial of Service). With the entry-level bundle, you may connect multiple devices concurrently, which is much more than the industry’s norm.
Apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android are available.
Methodology for VPN testing in the Netherlands
There are hundreds of VPNs available, and not all of them are effective at providing solid online privacy and security. Many have subpar applications with inadequate encryption, while others have DNS and IP leaks that render them ineffective at preventing surveillance.
Our reviewers use a thorough VPN testing approach to guarantee that we only suggest the best VPN for the Netherlands. Below is a list of the critical qualities that we usually look for while evaluating a VPN.
- A reputable no-logs policy. A trustworthy VPN will never watch or record your internet activity when connected to its servers. This makes sure that the VPN does not save data that may be accessed later by government snoops with a warrant.
- Robust encryption. A VPN is only as safe as the encryption that enables its tunneling protocol to operate. We look behind the scenes to see how the VPN’s selected VPN protocol performs encryption, and we only suggest a VPN that can entirely prevent your data from being intercepted.
- VPN features are advanced. To be really cost-effective, a VPN should have a plethora of trustworthy privacy and security features that make it both helpful and adaptable. We look for features such as DNS leak prevention, a kill switch, obfuscation, split-tunneling, port forwarding, and a SOCKS5 proxy.
- A worldwide server network that is lightning quick. Having a diverse selection of servers assures you that you will always be able to access services and content from across the globe. Our suggestions include not just many servers globally, but also several servers in each area to avoid congestion.
- A money-back guarantee is included. VPN providers who are market leaders are confident in their service and want you to be able to test it. That is why they provide a money-back guarantee, which allows you to use the service risk-free and get a return if you are unsatisfied.
How to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) in the Netherlands
It’s simple to use a VPN to achieve online privacy, security, and increased accessibility. The VPN mentioned in this article has servers in the Netherlands. This means you may use them to access local services—such as online banking—while encrypting your traffic to protect yourself from ISPs and government surveillance.
Additionally, these VPNs provide worldwide server networks that enable you to circumvent censorship and geo-restriction. Simply follow the instructions below to configure your VPN and begin using it to access a secure internet connection.
- Select a VPN service for the Netherlands. We suggest NordVPN because it is quick, has good applications for all platforms, and provides complete anonymity at home and even when using public Wi-Fi.
- Subscribe by clicking the link on the VPN’s website.
- Install the VPN client software on your device.
- Install the VPN and log in using your username and password.
- Connect to the server by selecting it from the list.
Once the VPN software establishes a connection, your data is encrypted and stored on a secure channel. Connecting to a server that is closer to your location will result in faster download rates. However, depending on the content you want to access, you may be required to choose a certain location, for example, the United Kingdom to watch BBC iPlayer.
Is it possible to use a free VPN in the Netherlands?
While our options are for paid services; there are several free ones accessible. As previously stated, free VPN services often fall short. This might be for a variety of different reasons, depending on the provider.
With free services, a restricted network of servers and lengthy wait times are regular occurrences, which will certainly turn off many consumers. Additionally, you may encounter speed and reliability concerns, and tiny data limitations may impede efforts to download huge files.
However, the practical drawbacks are far from the worst-case scenario. Other issues develop as a result of businesses adopting a business plan that jeopardizes consumers’ privacy and security. Notable vulnerabilities include some providers’ usage of monitoring cookies, recording user activities, and even the transmission of malware.
Suggestions on how to use a VPN in the Netherlands (Holland)
Once you’ve chosen a VPN service and configured it properly, we’ve got a few pointers for you to keep in mind.
Obtaining access to Netflix libraries in other countries
When you create a Netflix account and begin browsing content, the service automatically takes you to the Netflix library for the nation in which you are currently located based on your IP address.
A VPN conceals your IP address and substitutes it with that of a server located in the country of your choosing. This permits safe access to content that is accessible exclusively in that nation, such as its Netflix collection. Therefore, if you live in the Netherlands and want to access US Netflix, you must connect to a US server using your VPN.
Netflix has taken steps to restrict the use of VPNs to access its content, and as a result, you may get a proxy error. While some providers are unable to get around this, others, including those we previously reported working with Netflix, should be able to send you to a working server.
Connecting to a virtual private network (VPN) for general purposes
If you’re merely viewing the web for non-location-specific purposes, such as general browsing, you probably don’t want a VPN to slow you down. In general, connecting to a server located near your geographic location should result in the quickest connection speeds.
However, there are more elements at play, such as the server’s current level of use. Certain providers will be able to tell you which server is the quickest for your present location or which ones are bearing the least load at any particular moment.
Establishing a connection to a public Wi-Fi network
We discussed briefly previously that utilizing public wifi networks puts you at risk of being hacked and having your personal information stolen. They often create bogus wifi hotspots and intercept network communications. Fortunately, when you use a VPN, all of your traffic is encrypted automatically and cannot be read.
Several of the services listed before provide automated wifi protection. However, it’s always good to verify your settings and ensure that you’re connected to your VPN before connecting to a hotspot. Additionally, adhering to a few extra basic practices for public wifi use can help you avoid any other concerns.
The Netherlands’ privacy laws
The Netherlands is well-known for its open internet policy and stringent privacy legislation. In a recent instance, the Dutch Data Protection Authority (DPA) sued Microsoft for violating Dutch data protection legislation via data processing. The usage of a VPN is totally allowed in the nation, and numerous VPN providers, like GOOSE VPN, proXPN, and Shade You, are situated there.
On the other hand, this country is a 14 Eyes member, which implies it is a member of a worldwide monitoring alliance that includes many European nations as well as the United States, Canada, and Australia. The possibility of a loss of privacy as a consequence of this might be a valid reason to utilize a VPN when in the Netherlands.
The Dutch Senate recently adopted contentious new data mining legislation. This significantly expands governments’ access to information, apparently allowing intelligence agencies to tap into public wi-fi hotspots and chat applications, as well as hack into your smartphone if you know someone who is a suspect in a crime.
The Netherlands adopted the EU Data Retention Directive via the Telecommunications Data Retention Act until it was overturned in 2014. This legislation compels internet service providers to gather and preserve user traffic and location data for a period of 12 months. The country’s data retention regulations are now being revised and will almost certainly change again this year with the adoption of the GDPR.
Is torrenting permitted in Holland (Holland)?
In the Netherlands, it is unlawful to torrent copyrighted information without first receiving authorization, as well as to download pirated media. Pirate Bay, in particular, was outlawed in 2013, but the restriction was overturned a year later. However, the European Supreme Court reaffirmed a similar prohibition in 2017.
BREIN, a Dutch anti-piracy organization, shut down over 230 pirate websites in the first half of 2017. Additionally, towards the end of last year, it was stated that stiff penalties would be implemented as an additional preventative measure. Furthermore, the Netherlands’ privacy authority, Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens (AP), recently granted authorization to film production business Dutch Filmworks to gather the IP addresses of illicit downloaders.
With the proliferation of legal options, the number of persons seeking to illegally pirate has been reduced. However, individuals wanting to access prohibited websites may do so by using a VPN.
PrivacyExplore neither condones nor promotes any infringement of copyright laws. Before downloading copyrighted content without permission, please examine the law, the victims, and the hazards of piracy.