Netflix shows different content based on your location, and you can change which region Netflix thinks you're in
Netflix's library varies by country — a show available in the UK might not appear in the US, and vice versa. To watch content from a different region, you need to change your Netflix region setting or use a tool that makes Netflix think you're in another country. The simplest method is to change your account region directly through Netflix settings, though this requires updating your payment method and billing address to match that country. If you want to keep your current billing address, you'll need a VPN (Virtual Private Network), which masks your actual location.
Netflix's terms of service allow you to watch from different countries when you travel, but they prohibit using VPNs to bypass regional restrictions permanently. That said, many people use VPNs anyway. This guide explains both the official method and how VPNs work, so you can understand your options and the trade-offs.
Key Takeaways
- Changing your Netflix region officially requires updating your billing address and payment method to match that country, and Netflix will verify this information.
- A VPN routes your internet through a server in another country, making Netflix think you're there, but Netflix actively blocks many VPN services.
- Netflix allows temporary region changes when you travel, but using a VPN to permanently watch another region's content violates their terms of service.
- Some content is licensed only in specific regions, so changing regions may let you watch shows that aren't available where you live, but those shows may disappear if you switch regions again.
Changing your region through Netflix account settings
To officially change your Netflix region, go to your account settings, find the "Membership" or "Account" section, and look for "Change region" or "Billing address." Netflix will ask you to enter a new billing address in the country you want to switch to. You'll also need to update your payment method — Netflix requires a valid payment card or payment service from that country, so a US credit card won't work if you're trying to switch to the UK.
After you update both your address and payment method, Netflix will process the change, usually within a few minutes. Your library will refresh to show content available in that region. Keep in mind that your subscription price may change — Netflix costs different amounts in different countries. A subscription that costs $15.49 per month in the US might cost £6.99 in the UK or €12.99 in Germany.
If you want to switch back to your original region later, repeat the same process: update your billing address and payment method to your home country's details. Netflix doesn't limit how many times you can change regions, but each change requires valid payment information for that country.
Using a VPN to access content from another region
A VPN is software that encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through a server in another country. When you connect to a VPN server in the UK, Netflix sees a UK IP address and shows you the UK library, even if you're physically in the US. You don't need to change your billing address or payment method — your account stays the same, but Netflix thinks you're somewhere else.
Netflix knows this happens and actively blocks VPN traffic. Most major VPN services (ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Surfshark, and others) work sometimes, but Netflix regularly updates its detection methods, so a VPN that works today might not work next week. Some VPNs advertise that they bypass Netflix's blocks, but Netflix's engineering team is larger and better funded than most VPN companies, so the cat-and-mouse game usually favors Netflix.
Using a VPN to watch another region's content breaks Netflix's terms of service. Netflix's policy states that you can watch from different countries when you travel, but you shouldn't use a VPN to permanently access content outside your region. In practice, Netflix rarely terminates accounts over VPN use — they're more likely to simply block the VPN's IP addresses — but it remains a violation of the agreement you made when you signed up.
What content actually changes between regions
Netflix's library differs by region because of licensing agreements. A production company or studio licenses a show to Netflix in specific countries for specific time periods. A show might be licensed to Netflix in the US for three years, but only licensed in Canada for one year. When that license expires in Canada, the show disappears from the Canadian library, even though it's still available in the US.
Some Netflix originals (shows Netflix produced itself) are available worldwide on the same day. Others are released in some regions before others. Older licensed content — especially movies and shows from the 1990s and 2000s — tends to have the most regional variation, because those licensing agreements were made before streaming existed and often cover only specific territories.
If you find a show in another region and switch your Netflix region to watch it, that show might disappear later when the license expires in that region. You won't be able to resume where you left off in another region unless that region's license is still active. This is why changing regions to watch specific content is often temporary — you watch what you want, then switch back.
Temporary region changes when traveling
Netflix allows you to watch from different countries when you travel. If you're on vacation in France for two weeks, Netflix will show you the French library without requiring you to change your account settings. Netflix detects your location using your IP address, so as long as you're connected to the internet in France, you'll see French content.
When you return home, your library switches back automatically. Netflix doesn't penalize you for watching from different countries while traveling — this is built into their service. The restriction is on permanently using a VPN or changing your region to access content you wouldn't normally have access to.
If you're moving to a different country permanently, you should change your region officially through your account settings rather than using a VPN. This ensures your subscription price and billing address are correct for your new location, and it keeps you within Netflix's terms of service.
Comparing the official method versus VPN
| Method | Official Region Change | VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Requires billing address change | Yes | No |
| Requires valid payment method from that country | Yes | No |
| Price may change | Yes | No |
| Violates Netflix terms of service | No | Yes |
| Netflix actively blocks it | No | Yes |
| Works reliably | Yes | Sometimes |
Why Netflix blocks VPNs and what happens if you're caught
Netflix blocks VPNs because licensing agreements often specify which countries Netflix can serve. If a studio licenses a show to Netflix only in the US, Netflix is contractually obligated to prevent people outside the US from watching it. When Netflix detects VPN traffic, they block that IP address to comply with those agreements.
If you're using a VPN and Netflix blocks it, you'll see an error message saying something like "You seem to be using an unblocker or proxy." You won't be able to watch anything until you disconnect from the VPN. Netflix doesn't ban accounts for using VPNs — they simply block the VPN's IP addresses. If you switch to a different VPN server, you might be able to watch again, at least until Netflix blocks that IP too.
Netflix's terms of service do allow them to terminate your account if you violate the terms repeatedly, but in practice they handle VPN use by blocking IP addresses rather than closing accounts. The bigger risk is that you'll spend money on a VPN subscription only to find that Netflix has already blocked all of that VPN's servers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my Netflix region without changing my payment method?
No. Netflix requires a valid payment method from the country you're switching to. If you try to change your region to the UK, Netflix will ask for a UK payment card or UK payment service. You can't use a US card to pay for a UK account. This is how Netflix verifies you're actually in that country.
Will my watch history and saved shows transfer if I change regions?
Yes. Your watch history, saved shows, and profile settings stay with your account when you change regions. Only the available content library changes. If you were halfway through a show and switch regions, you can resume watching it in the new region if that show is licensed there.
Is it illegal to use a VPN to watch Netflix from another region?
It's not illegal in most countries, but it violates Netflix's terms of service. Netflix could theoretically close your account, though they typically just block the VPN's IP address instead. The legal risk is low for you as a user, but the practical risk is that the VPN won't work.
How long does it take for Netflix to block a VPN?
It varies. Some VPN servers are blocked within days of Netflix detecting them, while others last weeks or months. Netflix's detection is ongoing, so even if a VPN works today, there's no may provide it will work next month. This is why VPN services advertise that they "bypass Netflix blocks" — they're constantly adding new servers to replace the ones Netflix blocks.
Can I use a VPN to watch Netflix while traveling?
You don't need to. Netflix automatically shows you the local library based on your location, so if you're traveling in France, you'll see French content without a VPN. Using a VPN while traveling would actually prevent you from seeing the local content and might trigger Netflix's blocking. Just connect to the local internet and watch normally.