How to Watch ZDF Outside Germany (Best Method in 2024)

Last Updated on September 5, 2024 by Walter

ZDF has the largest selection of German-language content online. However, it's hard to watch ZDF outside Germany because it is blocked in other countries. A VPN is the exception to this rule. It is easy to change your virtual address and obtain a German IP, which will allow you to fool ZDF into serving geo-restricted content abroad.

ZDF is the most popular and largest TV network in Germany. The state-owned broadcaster ZDF offers a variety of content including news, entertainment, and sport. If you've ever tried to stream ZDF channels from outside Germany, then you'll know it is impossible. Instead of your channel being displayed, you will be shown a message saying “Leider ist Problem mit dem ausgewahlten. Beitrag aufgetreten Das Betrachten des Videos ist momentan nicht moglich (Fehler Nummer: 0). Das Betrachten des Videos ist momentan aus technischen Grunden nicht moglich.”n

Are you fed up with ZDF streams not being available? These VPNs are ultra-secure and allow you to fool Germany.

• NordVPN – Best for ZDF – NordVPN has hundreds of German servers. This includes specialized nodes that optimize streaming performance and break through censorship. The strongest VPN in the world will defeat ZDF's geoblocks.
• Surfshark is a newcomer to the VPN industry. It offers advanced protections that bypass geoblocks and “just work”.
• WeVPN – One of the most preferred options for accessing German content overseas, thanks to its strong Lightway protocol.
• CyberGhost – A stupidly large server network that can be easily managed with simple options such as “unblock streaming”.

This message informs you that the video you selected is not available due to technical issues. This message means that your IP address tells us that you are not in Germany and you cannot view this channel. There is a way to get around this problem. It is possible to trick ZDF servers into believing you are in Germany by using a VPN. We will show you how to watch ZDF outside Germany and recommend the best VPNs.

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How to Watch ZDF Outside Germany?

ZDF, a state broadcaster is not surprising as it focuses exclusively on Germany. Many Germans who live outside Germany are still interested in watching ZDF, despite the EU membership allowing them to travel freely throughout Europe. ZDF does not have the rights to stream many of its shows outside Germany. Therefore, they cannot make their streaming service available anywhere else. They instead use geo-restrictions technology to prevent outsiders from accessing their streams.

Geo-restrictions work by analyzing your IP Address. This code tells websites from where you are connecting. ZDF can determine if you aren't located in Germany from your IP Address, and will display the error message above. You can fool geo-restrictions technology by changing your address to one that is German. You can do this by using a VPN.

VPNs work by redirecting your internet data through its servers. Your data is automatically tagged with an IP address of the server it passes through. This makes it more reliable than your internet connection. ZDF will assume that you are in Germany if the server is in Germany. This allows you to stream their content online.

RELATED READINGS: Are VPNs legal in Germany?

How to pick a VPN that is good for spoofing

To bypass ZDF's geo-restrictions technology, you only need to sign up for a VPN and connect to one of their German servers. Then, access the ZDF website as usual. It is up to you to decide which VPN. There is a lot of competition in the VPN market and not all providers provide streaming-friendly services. We have tested the major providers to help you make a decision. We identified the most important criteria that VPNs must meet in order to be considered the best. These criteria are:

• Fast Connection Speeds – Online streaming requires fast internet connections. Some VPNs may slow down internet speeds. The best VPNs will not slow down internet speeds and allow users to stream virtually any content without buffering.
• No bandwidth restrictions – Online streaming can be extremely data-intensive, but some VPNs limit the data you can use. If you wish to stream ZDF online from outside Germany, make sure that you sign up for a VPN without such restrictions.
• Server network size – The more German servers that a VPN offers the better it will make it possible to access ZDF from any location in the world.
• Security-VPNs and encryption strength are used primarily as an online privacy and security tool. The best providers will always offer strong encryption to protect user data.
• Effectiveness of privacy policies – ZDF doesn't like users who circumvent their geo-restrictions. You need to make sure they don't. You need strong privacy protections, so a VPN must be available. VPNs that are the best keep no logs, which means no one can see what your online activities are.

The best VPNs to watch ZDF outside of Germany

These criteria were used to evaluate all major VPN providers. We identified top-quality providers that we believe are ideal for streaming ZDF overseas. These providers offer fast connection speeds, reliable privacy protections, secure encryption and reliable encryption. Each one is perfect for watching ZDF abroad. These are our top VPNs:

1. NordVPN

NordVPN is currently one of the most affordable VPN providers, thanks to its new 3-year subscription. However, they don't compromise on quality. NordVPN was once known for its slow connection speeds. This is now a distant memory as infrastructure investments have allowed them to offer one the fastest and most modern server networks available.

It's a huge one, as users can choose from 5,500 servers across 59 countries, including many in Germany. They offer excellent security features, including 256-bit encryption on OpenVPN connections and features like a kill switch. You can also get additional security features such as double VPN servers that reroute your internet traffic via two servers. This provides extra protection. NordVPN customers don't have to worry about data restrictions, making it an excellent choice for those who want to stream ZDF from outside Germany.

Check out our complete NordVPN review.

Pros

• Special Offer: 2-year plan (68% discount – Link below)
• There are so many servers!
• All connections are encrypted with strong encryption
• For total privacy, there are no logs or encrypted connections
• Support via Chat 24/7

Cons

Watch ZDF Outside Germany with Nord VPN

2. Surfshark

Surfshark's feature list makes it an excellent choice to bypass unfair geoblocks. Surfshark protects every one of its 3200+ servers located in 65 countries with the unbreakable256-AES GC encryption cipher. There is no VPN ban, geoblock or government firewall that will prevent you from using ZDF outside of Germany.

Surfshark is a great choice for streaming because of its responsive network and low latency. Surfshark has no bandwidth or speed restrictions and there are no throttles, speed caps or throttles. You can stream as much as you like. Surfshark also eliminates any restrictions on the number of devices that can be connected to your account simultaneously.

The package also includes an anti-malware, kill switch, and adblocking. Additionally, IP/DNS/WebRTC leak protection ensures that your connection remains watertight at all time.

Pros

• Unblock 15 international Netflix libraries including Japan and the USA
• No need to guess, torrent safely on any server
• Protect your network from DNS leakage and kill switch attacks even if your connection drops
• Your activity is protected by zero logging policy.
• Responsive customer support available 24/7.

Cons

 

Check out our complete Surfshark review.

Watch ZDF Outside Germany with Surfshark VPN

3. WeVPN

WeVPN is a well-known name in the VPN industry and is an excellent choice for streaming ZDF from outside Germany. WeVPN is known for its super-fast connections, making it an ideal VPN for streaming online. They offer strong encryption of 256 bits as standard. They offer DNS leak protection and an IP address checker. They are based in British Virgin Islands and can offer the best privacy protections, including a guaranteed no-logging policy.

WeVPNserver is the largest network of its kind. All subscribers can access over 3,000 servers in 94 countries, including Germany. WeVPN has no bandwidth or data restrictions. They have also created a wide range of user-friendly apps that can be downloaded to almost any device. WeVPN is a bit more expensive than their competitors. Many customers will pay a little more for the excellent service they offer.

Check out our complete WeVPN review.

Pros

• Blocks American Netflix, iPlayer and Hulu
• Servers that are super fast
• AES256 encryption for government officials
• No logs of personal information kept
• Chat with great customer service

Watch ZDF Outside Germany with WeVPN

4. CyberGhost

CyberGhost is another recommendation for ZDF users. Their high-quality service is very easy to use and makes them an excellent choice for VPN beginners. CyberGhost is a user-friendly, well-designed app that can be installed on almost any device. It does not require any configuration or technical knowledge. All you need to do to stream ZDF abroad is click on “Unblock streaming” and choose a server from Germany. Once connected, they will do the rest. You can then visit the ZDF website to view any channels you wish.

CyberGhost is simple to use but users don't have to sacrifice on quality. CyberGhost still provides strong security and privacy protections, including 256-bit encryption as well as a reliable no-logging policy. With 5,900 servers located in 90 countries, including Germany, their server network is another major one. All of this adds up and CyberGhost is a great option for ZDF fans.

Check out our complete CyberGhost review.

Pros

• Uses Netflix, iPlayer and Amazon Prime.
• More than 3,600 servers in 55+ countries
• Romanian (out of 14 eyes).
• Privacy features and zero logs
• 45-day money-back guarantee.

Cons

• WebRTC leak discovered
• Sometimes, experiencing high speeds.

What is ZDF?

Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen, also known as ZDF or Second German Television, is a German public broadcaster. It was established by all the German Federal States. It is based in Mainz, Rhineland-Palatinate, and is funded by a combination of advertising revenue and a TV license, with each German household required to pay EUR17.50 per month towards the service.

ZDF, a public broadcaster, is able to broadcast a broad range of content. Its editorial decisions are influenced by more than ratings. ZDF has a duty of education and information. Viewers can find plenty of content that targets younger viewers, as well as news and documentaries for adults. ZDF was established in 1961 and is considered an institution in Germany. Many Germans grew up with ZDF's kid's TV programs. ZDF continues to be a beacon of information in a time where commercial TV is being dumbed down to appeal to mass audiences.

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What can I see on ZDF?

ZDF Channel offers a wide range of content. Many of its most beloved shows have been broadcast on the channel for decades. Their children's programming has a strong reputation. There are many classics on the network. ZDF broadcasts many international classic kids shows. These are also dubbed into German to appeal to their younger audience. They also have a lot of original content. You can enjoy many documentaries in German, as well as cultural content and discussion shows. There is also regular drama, comedy and soap opera, both with original German content and import shows.

ZDF has a variety of channels. ZDFneo, a digital channel that targets younger viewers between 18 and 45 years old, is ZDFneo. ZDFneo mainly shows drama and comedy shows. A few TV shows are imported from the US or the UK and dubbed into German. There are also some music shows, documentaries and movies on the schedules. ZDFinfo is another digital channel. ZDFinfo is another digital channel. It is focused on factual content and documentaries. Although the audience isn't known, it clearly targets older viewers. ZDF also operates a number other German channels, including KI.KA (a children’s channel), Arte, (culture and arts shows), 3sat (3sat is advert-free cultural content) and Phoenix (documentaries and news and discussion shows).

What devices can I view ZDF?

ZDF's main channel can be viewed on German terrestrial TV. It and its related digital channels are also available on almost every satellite and cable TV package TV. ZDF streams all its content online live and on demand at their website www.zdf.de. You can search their back catalog or check out the live listings to make sure you don't miss your favorite shows.

You can also find dedicated apps for each of the main devices. An excellent iOS app is available that can be used on any iPhone, iPad or tablet. A great Android app is also available that works with almost every Android smartphone and tablet. Their apps, as well as their online streaming service, use geo-restrictions to prevent people from viewing content outside of Germany. All of the VPNs that we recommend offer dedicated apps for Android and iOS, so you can watch ZDF from any device around the globe.

Conclusion

ZDF is missing from the lives of Germans who are not in Germany for work, pleasure or other reasons. ZDF is a German institution that offers a broad range of content. This means there is something for everyone. There is an alternative way to view all ZDF channels from outside Germany. It is possible to bypass their geo-restrictions, and still enjoy ZDF's programs no matter where you live. We've recommended three VPN providers that we think are the best and the steps to follow. This is an easy, affordable, and quick method to get ZDF abroad.

Are you a ZDF fan? What do you think of ZDF's coverage? And what is the best way to watch it online? Are they impressed by their online apps? Do they have the best German-language TV content? Did you watch ZDF using a VPN? Which VPN provider did your use? Did you choose one of our recommendations? What was your experience with their service? We love to hear your comments and opinions, so please use the comment box below to share them.

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