How to Watch Amazon Prime Video Abroad With a VPN (2023)

It may seem like a good idea to use a VPN with Prime Video. But not just any VPN will work, since APV uses advanced technology to actively block VPN connections. While it needs to protect licensing agreements, this makes it difficult to maintain access to your regular library while traveling, or to simply protect your online privacy while watching APV.

I’ve tested dozens of VPNs, and even the best ones have trouble successfully bypassing that annoying proxy error.

I’ve put together a guide with several tips to help you access APV with a VPN. The first step — make sure you get a VPN that actually works with Prime Video.

ExpressVPN is my top choice because it’s always been the most reliable at getting past those pesky geoblocks. It also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so there’s no risk involved in trying it out. If you’re not completely happy with it, it’s easy to get a full refund.

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How to Watch Prime Video Abroad With a VPN: The Complete Guide

When accessing Amazon Prime Video from abroad, you’ll see the following error message if you’re trying to access a title that’s not available there:

The ABC Murders is only available on US Amazon Prime Video, so I couldn’t access it from the UK

There are only a handful of VPNs that can successfully unblock Prime Video since it blocks most VPN IP addresses. If Amazon Prime Video’s not working and detects your VPN, you’ll see the following error message:

This error message means that Amazon Prime Video has blocked your VPN IP address

To unblock and stream Amazon Prime Video successfully with a VPN, follow the steps below:

1. Choose a reliable Amazon Prime Video VPN. I found ExpressVPN worked the best — it could access the most regional APV libraries compared to other VPNs tested, so I’ve used it as an example. (Quick tip: it’s always best to sign up and download any VPN from its website since Google Play and the App Store may not honor the money-back guarantee).

You can usually choose between multiple subscription plans, but longer terms tend to be the best value

2. Download the VPN app. Once you have a subscription, you can download the app to all the devices you use to watch APV. Most VPNs have native apps for the most popular operating systems and Amazon Fire devices.

ExpressVPN lets you use it on 5 devices at once and has a native app for Firestick

3. Open the app and connect to a server. Connect to the country of the local Amazon Prime Video library you want to access. For example, connecting to a server in the US will change Amazon country to the American APV library because your IP address will temporarily change to one from the US. There are various regional APV libraries, and some regions charge cheaper rates for a subscription to Amazon Prime.

I was able to add APV as a shortcut directly to the ExpressVPN app for quick and easy access

4. Log into the Amazon website (not Prime Video). It’s best to use an Incognito window and the local Amazon web address. For example, if your VPN is connected to the US, use amazon.com; but if you’re accessing APV UK, use amazon.co.uk. The reason I recommend this method as opposed to just signing in on the Prime Video site (or app) is that you’re less likely to face VPN blocks.

ExpressVPN worked well with the APV site and app, but this method was more reliable overall during my tests

5. Find your show and press play. You can now browse a different Prime Video library and watch shows not normally available to you.

I watched an episode of Three Pines and my old favorite Superbad in HD quality from the UK

Watch Prime Video With ExpressVPN

Best VPNs to Watch Prime Video Abroad in 2023

To access Prime Video, you need a reliable VPN that consistently bypasses its geoblocks. It also must be fast enough for high-quality streaming with no lag or buffering.

Because Prime Video’s VPN blocks are constantly updated and some of the toughest for even the best VPNs to bypass, I’ve included only VPNs with reliable money-back guarantees. This makes it easy for you to test them out and claim a refund if you aren’t happy with the service.

1. ExpressVPN — The Best Overall VPN for APV With Ultra HD-Friendly Speeds

ExpressVPN has the fastest speeds I tested, which is great for streaming APV in Ultra HD. I connected to its Japan server halfway across the globe and watched shows in the highest quality without lag. That means you can unblock APV libraries from faraway countries, which can be a common difficulty because long-distance VPN servers are often too slow.

It effortlessly bypasses Prime Video’s geoblocks. With other VPNs, you often waste time finding working servers, but that wasn’t the case with ExpressVPN. In my tests, I set up ExpressVPN in under 2 minutes, connected to a German server, and watched Champions League games on APV a few seconds later. This also saved money because a subscription to watch the Champions League costs way more than Prime Video where I am.

With ExpressVPN, I could watch Champions League football on 5 devices on a single account

ExpressVPN also enables you to view APV on gadgets that usually don't support VPN apps. For instance, its MediaStreamer feature is compatible with smart TVs, gaming consoles, and Apple TV. I configured it on my LG TV by inputting a DNS address into my network settings. Within a short time span, I was enjoying Jack Ryan on US APV. It's important to mention, however, that MediaStreamer doesn't function as a complete VPN, and you're unable to alter your location. It's designed to permit you access to US APV when you're outside the country.

A minor drawback with ExpressVPN is that it’s not the cheapest on my list — plans start at $6.67/month. It offers discounts all the time, though. When I signed up, I got an extra 3 months of free service. When I worked out the monthly cost, it was less than my Prime subscription.

You can try ExpressVPN with APV risk-free since it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you find that it’s not for you, claiming a refund is easy. I tested this myself by contacting 24/7 live chat to ask for my money back. I got an instant response, and the agent didn’t even ask why I was leaving. My money was back in my account 5 days later.

Watch Prime Video With ExpressVPN

2. CyberGhost — Specialized Servers Optimized for Easy Access to Prime Video

CyberGhost features dedicated servers optimized for APV and various other platforms. These servers, designed for high-quality streaming, are available for the US, UK, Germany, and Japan, and are routinely maintained to guarantee their performance and streaming speed. Although APV servers are also available for Italy and France, I was unable to access those libraries during my tests.

Connecting to APV servers was easy while I was testing CyberGhost. I just clicked “For streaming” in the server menu and typed “Prime” into the search box. Next, I clicked on the country of the APV library I wanted to access (in this case, United Kingdom). I hit “Connect”, logged into the Amazon UK website, and watched a full episode of James May: Our Man In Italy. There was minimal loading time and no buffering.

With CyberGhost, you get 2-click access to APV libraries in other regions

CyberGhost has native apps for every major operating system, which makes watching APV easy no matter what you’re using to stream. Plus, you can connect up to 7 simultaneous devices. I was able to download and install CyberGhost on my Mac, Fire TV, and smartphone with no issues at all, and I liked that the app looked similar from device to device.

CyberGhost’s short-term plans are on the expensive side and only come with a 14-day money-back guarantee. The long-term plans are super affordable, though. You can save 83% over a short-term subscription, and prices start from just $2.19/month. Plus, you get a 45-day guarantee period (longer than the industry-standard 30 days).

The money-back guarantee allows you to try CyberGhost with Prime Video without risk. If you’re not completely satisfied, claiming a refund is easy. I tested it by contacting live chat, and my refund was granted after a brief conversation. My money landed back in my account 5 days later.

Watch APV With CyberGhost

3. Private Internet Access (PIA) — Unlimited Device Connections Great for Large Households of Prime Video Streamers

PIA gives you unlimited simultaneous connections — great for a houseful of APV fans. It’s also useful if you happen to have a ton of devices. I liked that I could watch APV on my Macbook Pro, iMac, iPhone, and 2 iPads — all without logging out of PIA. Speeds were easily fast enough to stream in HD on all devices simultaneously.

There are streaming-optimized servers in the US, UK, and Japan — which all have APV libraries you can access with the VPN. Unlike CyberGhost, they are general streaming servers, not optimized specifically for APV. That was useful as I could jump from Prime Video to Netflix without switching servers. You also get streaming servers for Iceland, Italy, Finland, and Australia, but they couldn’t access any additional APV libraries in my tests.

With PIA, you get 2 optimized streaming servers in the US for accessing APV, plus one each for the UK and Japan

When connecting to nearby locations, I had impressive streaming speeds. While testing PIA, I connected to UK London Streaming and watched Birdman in Ultra HD. It loaded immediately and played without lag. I also had easy access to APV Japan, but there was a little delay.

PIA does not have a streaming-optimized server for Germany, which is a drawback when compared to ExpressVPN and CyberGhost. As a result, it cannot access Prime Video DE. However, this was not a major issue for me, as I do not speak German.

You can try PIA with APV using a 30-day money-back guarantee. I went for a long-term plan at $2.03/month, saving 83% over a short-term subscription. On top of that, I got several months free.

During my experience testing the money-back guarantee, I contacted Customer Support to request a refund. Following a brief conversation, my refund was promptly approved. True to their word, the money was returned to me the very next day, akin to the swift delivery service offered by Prime.

Watch APV With PIA

FAQs on Watching APV With a VPN

How do I watch Prime Video shows that aren’t available in my location?

It's easy — all you need is a reliable VPN for Prime Video. To access APV when you’re outside your home country, you need an IP address from that country. A VPN with solid unblocking capabilities can give you an IP from a country of your choice, so you can access APV from Australia, Canada, US, UK, or wherever you are.

Can I use a VPN to watch Prime Video on a Firestick or Fire TV?

Yes. Many VPNs offer native apps for Fire devices. To install them, it’s as simple as going to the Amazon Appstore on your Fire device and downloading the app. If your VPN doesn’t have a native app for Fire devices, then a workaround is to connect your FireStick or Fire TV to a VPN-enabled hotspot. Simply connect your VPN on your computer and create a WiFi hotspot and connect the Fire device to that.

What if Amazon Prime Video isn’t working with my VPN?

Firstly, make sure your VPN actually works with APV. These VPNs have all been tried-and-tested to work, but even the best VPNs can struggle with Amazon’s advanced blocks.

Other fixes you can try include:

• Switch servers. APV actively blocks VPN IP addresses. Switch servers, or try a different location in the same country, if available.
• Adjust the VPN settings. I recommend using a VPN with a premium protocol like Lightway or WireGuard for watching APV. The standard OpenVPN is slower and much easier to block.
• Clear your cookies and use a private window. Your devices store browsing history and cookies that can reveal your actual location and cause an APV block. Try clearing your data and then use a Private or Incognito window.
• Use a different viewing method. For example, if you’re using the Amazon app, try logging in on a web browser. You can also try logging in on another device.
• Contact support. Your VPN’s customer support may be able to suggest a workaround, or you can report the issue so it can be resolved.

Can I access Amazon Prime Video for free?

Yes. While APV is a subscription service, it offers some ad-supported free content in the UK on the Freevee channel. All the VPNs on my list have locations in the UK, so you can get a UK IP address and log into APV. All you need is an Amazon account, which is free to set up. You don’t even need to register a credit card.

Will I be able to unblock Amazon Prime Video on all my devices?

Yes. Prime Video is compatible with almost every device. All of the VPNs I found that still unblock Prime Video can also be set up on these devices.

Laptops and PCs: Windows, macOS, Raspberry Pi, and Linux
Phones and tablets: Android, iOS, iPad, Kindle, Fire Tablet, and more
Streaming devices: Roku, smart TVs, Sky Q, Fire TV Stick, Chromecast, Echo Show, Echo Spot, Kodi, Xfinity, TiVO, and more
Game consoles: Switch, Xbox, PlayStation

Please note, though, that mobile devices can have a harder time unblocking APV than with a browser on desktop computers. One way around this is to create a new Google or Apple account and set it to the same country as the APV library you want to access. Download the Prime Video app from that account, connect your VPN to a server in that location, and it should work.

Is it legal to unblock Amazon Prime Video from another country?

Yes, but it’s complicated. Amazon Prime Video limits the shows and movies that you can access based on the licensing agreements it has in your region. This is why it has such strong VPN blocks in place. While it’s not illegal to use a VPN to watch APV, it could go against its Terms and Conditions if you use a VPN to primarily watch content not normally available in your location.

However, APV combats this issue by putting VPN-blocks in place, not by penalizing subscribers. I used a VPN on vacation in Australia so I could access my US Amazon Prime account, which is the library I subscribed to and paid for. You just have to use a VPN that’s been tried-and-tested to work reliably with APV.

Watch APV With ExpressVPN

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Even some of the best premium VPNs struggle to access Prime Video. It uses advanced technologies to prevent users watching geo-restricted content with a VPN. My team and I tested all the leading VPNs to find ones that still work with APV.

ExpressVPN is my #1 choice for accessing Prime Video. It’s easy to use and gives you Ultra HD-friendly speeds. You can try ExpressVPN with zero risk because it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

To summarize, the best VPNs for watching Prime Video in 2023 are…