Belgium is a beautiful country located in Western Europe. It is known for its medieval towns, Renaissance architecture, and tasty chocolates. Belgium is also home to the capital of the European Union – Brussels.
However, internet censorship and geo-restrictions are on the rise in Belgium. The government actively blocks piracy and copyright-infringing websites. Streaming platforms like Netflix increasingly implement geo-blocks.
This is where a VPN comes in. A good VPN allows Belgian residents to bypass censorship and access any website or streaming service they want. Meanwhile, a VPN with Belgian servers gives foreigners access to Belgium-only online content.
In this guide, I will cover the top 5 best VPNs for Belgium in 2023. I will look at both free and paid options to suit every budget. Follow along to learn all about:
- The top overall VPN for Belgium
- Budget-friendly paid VPN options
- Quality free VPN choices
- How to use a Belgian VPN to access geo-restricted content
- FAQs about VPNs in Belgium
By the end, you‘ll know exactly which VPN to choose for seamless and private internet access in Belgium!
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Top 5 VPNs for Belgium in 2023
Here are my picks for the top 5 best VPNs in Belgium this year:
1. NordVPN – Best VPN for Belgium Overall
NordVPN is my top recommendation for a Belgian VPN in 2023. It offers an excellent combination of speed, security, and accessibility.
NordVPN has over 5,500 servers in 60 countries worldwide. This includes multiple servers located right in the heart of Belgium. Connecting to one of these servers gives you a Belgian IP address and the ability to bypass geo-restrictions.
In my speed tests, NordVPN provided fast and stable connections in Belgium. I experienced virtually no lag or buffering, even when streaming in 4K. NordVPN uses next-gen protocols like NordLynx to ensure smooth performance.
For privacy, NordVPN has a strict no-logs policy, uses AES-256 encryption, and offers useful extras like Double VPN and Onion Over VPN. There‘s also a handy kill switch to prevent data leaks if your connection drops.
And with 6 simultaneous connections permitted per account, you can secure all your devices with a single NordVPN subscription. Apps are available for all platforms, and the 24/7 live chat support is very responsive.
Overall, NordVPN is a full-featured and high-performance VPN that works brilliantly in Belgium. It‘s reasonably priced too, starting at just $3.29 per month.
2. ExpressVPN – Fastest VPN for Belgium
For the fastest speeds in Belgium, look no further than ExpressVPN. This premium VPN provider has over 3,000 servers in 94 countries, including multiple locations in Belgium.
In my testing, ExpressVPN blew away the competition in pure speed. I never experienced any significant lag or buffering, even when connected to distant servers. ExpressVPN‘s Lightway protocol and other optimizations really make a difference.
Beyond speed, ExpressVPN also provides top-notch security. There‘s 256-bit AES encryption, a no-logs guarantee, leak protection, and a Private DNS on every server. The company is also based offshore, outside the surveillance of Belgium and the EU.
The only downside of ExpressVPN is the higher price. But you certainly get what you pay for in terms of performance and features. There‘s even a 30-day money-back guarantee to try it out risk-free.
Overall, for a blazing fast and secure Belgian VPN connection, ExpressVPN is my top recommendation. It‘s worth the premium price.
3. Surfshark – Budget VPN for Belgium
If you‘re looking for an affordable VPN option in Belgium, Surfshark is a great choice. It offers many premium features for a fraction of the cost.
Surfshark maintains over 3,200 servers in 65 countries. There are multiple server locations in Belgium‘s major cities. With unlimited device connections, you can secure all your gadgets on one account.
In my tests, speeds were very solid on Surfshark‘s Belgian servers. Streaming and downloads worked smoothly, though not quite as fast as premium providers like ExpressVPN. Still, performance is more than adequate for most users.
Security-wise, Surfshark checks all the boxes. There‘s military-grade encryption, a private DNS, MultiHop connections, and even Camouflage Mode to disguise VPN traffic. The BVI jurisdiction also ensures no user logs are kept.
At just $2.30 a month, Surfshark offers tremendous value. It‘s one of the most affordable VPNs today with hardly any compromises on features. There‘s even a 30-day refund policy to test it out.
For an inexpensive but capable VPN for Belgium, Surfshark is definitely worth considering. The low price makes it accessible for everyone.
4. Windscribe – Best Free VPN for Belgium
If you want a quality VPN in Belgium at no cost, Windscribe is the best free provider available. It offers 10GB of monthly data for free, with unlimited options at a low price.
Windscribe has servers in over 60 countries, including Belgium. While the free version only allows location selection in the US, UK, Canada, France, Germany, and Netherlands, you can unlock Belgium and all other locations for a few bucks a month.
Even the free VPN is highly secure, utilizing AES-256 encryption and a zero-knowledge policy. There are handy extras like RobustFirewall and port forwarding as well. Signing up takes just an email address – no personal info required.
The paid options remove the 10GB cap and open worldwide access for as little as $9 per month. This makes Windscribe one of the most affordable paid VPNs too. There‘s even a built-in ad blocker.
For cost-conscious users in Belgium looking for a free or low-cost VPN, Windscribe is a superb choice. It delivers excellent security with competitive speeds.
5. ProtonVPN – Most Secure Free VPN for Belgium
If your top priority is bulletproof security, even with a free VPN, ProtonVPN is a great pick. Though speeds are just average, the privacy protections are truly unmatched.
ProtonVPN provides free servers in Belgium, the US, and Japan. So you can access some geo-restricted content at no cost. All plans have unlimited data, unlike Windscribe‘s capped free version.
As you‘d expect from its Swiss creators, ProtonVPN offers ironclad security. There‘s perfect forward secrecy, Tor over VPN, a strict no-logs policy, and more. An encrypted email provider is bundled with paid plans too.
Speeds are about average compared to other free VPNs. Netflix and torrenting are only allowed on premium plans. But for free security, ProtonVPN is extremely full-featured.
ProtonVPN‘s premium tiers unlock more countries, better speeds, and extra features starting at just $5 a month. So you can upgrade affordably if needed.
For privacy purists looking for a free Belgian VPN, ProtonVPN is a top-notch choice. Just be aware that speeds are merely average.
Using a Belgian VPN to Access Geo-Blocked Content
One of the biggest uses for a VPN in Belgium is accessing streaming sites and services unavailable in your current location. By connecting through a Belgian VPN server, you can unlock Belgium-only libraries on popular platforms:
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Netflix – Get access to the full Belgian Netflix library when traveling abroad. Watch shows and movies only available in Belgium.
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Amazon Prime – View Amazon Prime videos that are exclusively available for Belgian Prime members.
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BBC iPlayer – Access the full BBC iPlayer catalog from anywhere in the world. BBC iPlayer is restricted to the UK.
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VRT – VRT is Belgium‘s Flemish public broadcaster. View live streams and on-demand programs with a Belgian IP address.
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YouTube – Watch Belgium-only YouTube videos that would normally be geo-blocked in your region.
To access geo-restricted streaming sites with a VPN:
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Sign up for one of the VPNs recommended above. Select a plan with Belgian servers.
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Download and install the VPN app on your streaming device. Log into your VPN account.
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Connect to a server located in Belgium. This will assign you a Belgian IP address.
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Launch the streaming site or app you want to access. You can now view Belgium-exclusive content!
Using a reliable VPN opens up a world of entertainment you‘d otherwise be unable to access abroad. It lets you maintain your usual viewing habits while traveling or living outside of Belgium.
FAQs About VPNs in Belgium
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about using a VPN in Belgium:
Are VPNs legal in Belgium?
Yes, VPNs are completely legal to use in Belgium. There are no laws restricting VPN usage. Many Belgians use VPNs daily for security and entertainment access while traveling.
Will a VPN slow my internet speed?
A good VPN will cause little to no speed reduction. However, connecting to a distant VPN server or using an unreliable provider can potentially slow your speeds. To avoid a major impact, choose a nearby server and a top VPN like those I recommended above.
Can I be tracked if I use a free VPN?
Free VPNs sometimes log traffic data or inject ads, which reduces privacy. For true anonymity, a paid VPN like NordVPN or Surfshark is highly recommended.
Do I need a VPN for public Wi-Fi?
Absolutely! Public Wi-Fi is very insecure and leaves you vulnerable to snooping and attacks. Always use a VPN like ExpressVPN whenever connecting to public hotspots.
What is the best VPN protocol for speed?
WireGuard is the newest VPN protocol and offers the fastest speeds. NordVPN, Surfshark, and others now implement WireGuard via custom protocols like NordLynx and WireGuard Protocol.
In Summary:
- NordVPN – My top recommendation overall for speed, features and value
- ExpressVPN – Blazing speeds and premium privacy protections
- Surfshark – Budget-friendly option with unlimited connections
- Windscribe – Excellent free VPN with affordable upgrades
- ProtonVPN – Most secure free VPN provider available
Connecting through a VPN server in Belgium lets you bypass censorship, access geo-blocked content, and enjoy greater online freedom. I hope this guide helped you find the perfect VPN for your needs in Belgium. Stay secure!
