Trying to watch SVT Play from abroad? We explain how you can catch up with all your favorite shows with the help of a VPN for SVT Play. If you have ever tried to watch SVT Play while traveling outside of Sweden, you will have noticed that some popular shows have a stop sign and cause the following error message:

This roughly translates in English to “Program only available in Sweden”. Sveriges Television AB blocks access to some of its content outside of Sweden for licensing reasons. The good news is that anybody traveling outside of Sweden on vacation can regain access to that awesome Swedish TV content by using a VPN.

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is an online privacy tool that allows you to conceal your real location from the websites you visit. By connecting to a VPN server in Sweden, you get a valid Swedish IP address. This makes the restrictions melt away, allowing you to stream everything on SVT Player as if you were back home.

Not all VPNs work to watch SVT Play abroad. This is because streaming platforms block IP addresses known to be associated with VPNs. As a result, you must pick a VPN with servers in Sweden that still work. Thankfully, we have found a few VPN providers that have fast servers that work.

In this guide, we have recommended VPNs that can provide you with watertight online privacy while also providing access to Swedish TV services, including SVT Play. Below, you can see our top picks. For more information and a guide on how to use a VPN, scroll down.

The Best VPNs to watch SVT Play outside of Sweden:

  • NordVPN: Our top pick for SVT Play. Has fast servers in Sweden that work to stream SVT Play, TV4 Play, and Kanal 5. Can access US Netflix as well as many other international streaming services. Secure apps for all platforms. Has a 30-day money-back guarantee.
  • Surfshark: Excellent budget option. Servers in Sweden and over 60 countries. Works to stream SVT Play, Viaplay, HBO Nordic, and other Swedish platforms. Can access Netflix, Hulu, and more. Lets you connect an unlimited number of devices.
  • ExpressVPN: Highly secure and super fast. Works reliably with SVT Play, C-more, TV4 Play, Netflix Sverige, and many other streaming services. Lots of advanced features. Has a 30-day money-back guarantee.
  • CyberGhost: Perfect VPN for beginners. Servers in Sweden to access SVT Play, TV4 Play,  who want to watch Netflix US in Sweden. Decent value for money, Uncomplicated apps for all platforms. Secure no-logs policy.
  • IPVanish: Fast servers in Sweden to watch SVT. Works to access Netflix US but not other regions. No-logs policy. Secure apps for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. Kill-switch and XOR obfuscation.
  • PrivateVPN: A newer service with fast servers in 63 countries, including Sweden, to watch SVT Play. Highly secure. Allows torrenting. Works with around 20 Netflix regions.
  • Hotspot Shield: A fast VPN for streaming SVT Play and Netflix thanks to its proprietary VPN protocol. Apps for all popular devices. Has a kill switch on desktop and mobile.

How to use a VPN to watch SVT Play outside Sweden

Watching SVT Play abroad is easy as long as you subscribe to a VPN that isn’t blocked. Finding a VPN that works with SVT Play can be time-consuming, but in this guide, we have done the hard work for you. This means you can follow the steps below to start streaming SVT right away:

There are no hidden terms—just contact support within 30 days if you decide NordVPN isn’t right for you and you’ll get a full refund. Start your NordVPN trial here.

Here’s how to watch SVT Play abroad:

  • Choose a VPN from this guide. We recommend NordVPN because it is fast and has servers in Sweden optimized to watch SVT Play and other TV platforms.
  • Download and install the VPN app onto your streaming device. You can watch on a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer.
  • Log in to the VPN app and select a server in Sweden. If you aren’t sure which Swedish server works to stream SVT Play ask the live chat support.
  • Click connect and wait for the VPN tunnel to establish.
  • Head to the SVT Play website and start streaming, all shows will now be available.

If you have any issues watching geo-restricted shows, try clearing your browser’s cookies and cache (or use private browsing mode). SVT Play may have previously left stubborn trackers that detect your real location. As soon as these are gone, you can stream SVT Play without issues.

Best VPNs to stream SVT Play outside Sweden

There are hundreds of VPNs available and they don’t all work to stream SVT Play. Some have slow servers that cause buffering when you stream in HD. Others have insecure apps that suffer from leaks and fail to provide privacy.

To ensure we make reliable VPN recommendations we use a scientific VPN testing methodology. For added transparency, we have included a list of some of the important criteria we used to find our top picks:

  • Servers in Sweden that work to stream SVT Play, TV4 Play, KANAL 5 Play, etc
  • Fast speeds to stream in HD without buffering
  • Apps for all devices that provide high levels of privacy and security
  • Reliable customer support you can contact at any time of day via live chat
  • A money-back guarantee so you can test the VPN risk free

Here is our list of the best VPNs to watch SVT Play outside Sweden:

1. NordVPN

                    Jan 2023

works with SVT playTested Jan 2023

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux
  • Background
  • FireTV

Website: www.NordVPN.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

NordVPN is a service based in Panama that offers high levels of online privacy and security. The VPN has servers in 59 countries, this includes servers in Sweden that work with SVT Play, TV5 Play, KANAL 5 Play, ViaPlay, C-more, and HBO Nordic. Plus, this VPN works with Netflix US, Hulu, Prime Video, BBC iPlayer. This makes it a great VPN for streaming.

NordVPN has a no-logs policy to ensure everything you do while connected remains private. It has apps for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS with strong AES encryption, DNS leak protection, and a kill switch. This ensures that websites can’t track you and that ISPs, local network admins, and government agents can’t monitor what you do online. It also protects you against hackers on public wi-fi.

You can test it yourself thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee.

BEST VPN FOR SVT PLAY:NordVPN is perfect for streaming Swedish TV abroad. Apps for all platforms. Super-secure and reliable. Watertight no logs policy. An excellent all-rounder that allows torrenting. Risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Pros:

  • Works to stream SVT Play, Netflix, Disney+, HBO, iPlayer, and more
  • Lightning-fast NordLynx protocol is ideal for HD streaming and torrenting
  • Plenty of advanced features, including DNS leak protection and a kill-switch
  • 24/7 live chat support available in Swedish
  • Excellent value for money

Cons:

  • Collects mobile device identifiers

Our score:

Read our full NordVPN review.

2. Surfshark

works with SVT playTested Jan 2023

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website: www.Surfshark.com

Surfshark is the cheapest way to efficiently stream SVT Play and other Swedish TV platforms on vacation. The VPN was launched in 2018 and has quickly risen to be a consumer favorite. It has apps for all platforms that provide secure WireGuard connections, which allows it to provide some of the fastest speeds available on the market.

Servers are available in 65 countries, including Sweden to stream SVT Play, TV4 Play, and other popular platforms. In addition, this VPN works to access around 20 Netflix regions, BBC iPlayer, Peacock, Hulu, and many more international streaming services.

Surfshark is impressively cheap and allows you to connect an unlimited number of devices with a single account. This means you can share your account with the whole family or close friends. It also means the VPN can be used on all your devices for privacy whether at home or on public wi-fi.

Apps are available for all popular devices and come with built-in malware protection and ad blocking by default. Plus, military-grade AES encryption, a kill switch, and obfuscation. It even throws in a free Smart DNS service. Finally, it has a no-logs policy and a 30-day money-back guarantee to let you test it risk-free.

CHEAPEST VPN FOR SVT PLAY:Surfshark works with SVT and other Swedish TV platforms. Super fast and accesses around 20 Netflix regions. Advanced privacy features at a low-cost Lets you connect an unlimited number of devices. Has a 30-day money-back guarantee.

  • Incredibly fast WireGuard connections

  • Servers in 65+ countries, including Sweden

  • Allows torrenting

  • Strong security features including AES encryption and a kill-switch

  • Connect an unlimited number of devices

  • Some servers are faster than others

Read our full Surfshark review.

3. ExpressVPN

Website: www.ExpressVPN.com

However, some support videos are in English only. ExpressVPN’s 24/7 live chat application has Google Translate built-in, which allows its support agents to assist you in Swedish. In addition, you can switch the website to Swedish in the top right of the home page.

Apps are available for all popular platforms and provide AES encryption (OpenVPN protocol), obfuscation, and a kill switch. It also throws in a free Smart DNS service called MediaStreamer to unblock streaming platforms on game consoles or Apple TV devices, for example.

  • Servers in 94 countries, including Sweden to stream SVT Play

  • Robust zero-logs policy

  • Many excellent privacy features

  • Superfast Lightway protocol

  • Easy to use and highly secure

  • More expensive than our other recommendations

Read our full ExpressVPN review.

4. CyberGhost

Website: www.Cyberghost.com

Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS

CyberGhost is a service we often recommend to beginners due to its uncomplicated apps. It is easy to use despite having the features you need to gain online privacy against ISP and government snoops. It also provides ample protection against hackers and snooping wi-fi providers when you connect to public hotspots.

The VPN is based in Romania, a location that is strong in terms of privacy due to its lack of mandatory data retention directives. It has servers in 89 countries to let you bypass geo-restrictions and online censorship from anywhere in the world. Its servers in Sweden work to stream SVT Play and other popular Swedish TV platforms.

Torrenting is permitted, and the VPN has servers clearly labeled in its app that work to access international services like Netflix US, HBO Max, and Hulu. This makes using CyberGhost to access online content easy for beginners.

Live chat support is available 24/7 but the VPN does not have any Swedish support agents or a built-in translator. So, you will need to communicate in English or use Google translate. The apps are available for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android and have a kill switch, automatic wi-fi security, and leak protection. You can compare it to our other recommendations using its generous 45-day money-back guarantee.

GREAT ALL-ROUNDER:Extremely easy to use to access SVT Play and other Swedish TV platforms. Works with Netflix, iPlayer, Hulu, and other popular services. No logs policy. Strong privacy features. Lightning-fast WireGuard connections. Has a 45-day money-back guarantee.

  • Easy to use

  • Dedicated servers for getting secure access to Netflix US

  • No-logs policy

  • Outstanding security features

  • Servers in 89 countries

  • Doesn’t work in China or UAE

Read our full CyberGhost review.

5. IPVanish

Website: www.IPVanish.com

IPVanish is a US provider with a decent reputation. It represents good value for money, particularly because you can install it on an unlimited number of devices. This allows you to use it both at home and on public wi-fi to gain privacy against data snoops and hackers. It also means the entire family can protect themselves, and you can even share it with friends if you want to.

Servers are available in over 50 countries, which is fewer than our other recommendations. However, they are located in extremely useful places in terms of accessibility—including Sweden to stream SVT Play. This VPN works to stream Netflix US but not other regions, and it does struggle to unblock some international streaming services, thus, we recommend trialing it using its 30-day money-back guarantee to ensure it does everything you need.

IPVanish runs on a proprietary network and it recently introduced WireGuard connections. These combine to allow the VPN to provide excellent speeds for gaming, torrenting, videoconferencing, and streaming. If you have any issues you can contact its live chat support, however, the support agents are American and will not speak Swedish.

Apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Fire TV. They include important features such as a no-logs policy, robust AES encryption, DNS leak protection, and a kill switch.

SECURE APPS FOR ALL PLATFORMS:Servers in Sweden to watch SVT Play. Works to stream US Netflix from Sweden. Perfect for larger families because it allows unlimited simultaneous connections. Plenty of advanced features. Protects against hackers on public wi-fi. Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

  • Works with SVT Play, Hulu, Netflix US, etc

  • No-logs policy

  • Advanced privacy features, including XOR obfuscation and a kill-switch

  • Unlimited connections with a single account

  • Easy to use

  • Based in the US

  • Doesn’t accept Bitcoin

Read our full IPVanish review.

6. PrivateVPN

Website: www.PrivateVPN.com

PrivateVPN is a Swedish provider that has quickly gained a superb reputation since it was launched in 2016. The service was founded with the support of activists who uphold people’s right to torrent. As a result, this VPN runs on a network of bare-metal servers that allows torrenting throughout.

Servers are available in 63 countries, including Sweden to watch SVT Play, TV4 Play, KANAL 5 Play, and others. Plus, this is one of the few VPNs that works to access around 20 Netflix regions, Hulu, Disney+, HBO, and others. It is also very fast, which makes it great for gaming and streaming in HD.

Live chat support is available for around 20 hours each day, and the website is available in Swedish, German and French. Best of all, these support agents speak Swedish. You can install PrvateVPN on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, and a single plan allows you to connect up to six devices simultaneously.

In addition to having a watertight no-logs policy, this VPN provides AES encryption, a kill switch, obfuscation, and reliable DNS leak protection. It also provides a SOCKS5 proxy and port forwarding, which makes it an excellent choice for torrenting. You can test it risk free using its 30-day money-back guarantee.

SECURE AND FAST:PrivateVPN has servers in 63 countries, including Sweden. Live chat support with Swedish agents. Reliable apps with many advanced privacy and security features, including DNS leak protection, a kill switch, and obfuscation. Works to access Netflix US. Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

  • Superfast connections

  • Allows torrenting

  • Plenty of advanced privacy features

  • No-logs policy

  • Servers in 63 countries, including Sweden to stream SVT Play

  • Fewer server locations in each country

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

7. Hotspot Shield

Website: www.Hotspotshield.com

                    Editor’s Note: Hotspot Shield is owned by Pango, Comparitech’s parent company.

Hotspot Shield is a popular VPN that is used globally by consumers seeking privacy. It has servers in over 80 countries, including where you need them to access Swedish TV platforms like TV4 Play and SVT Play. The VPN is particularly good for streaming thanks to its proprietary Catapult Hydra protocol, which is designed specifically with speed in mind.

Torrenting is allowed with this VPN, and Hotspot Shield works to access popular services like Netflix US, Hulu, iPlayer, and Peacock. It is also fast enough for online gaming and making video calls.

Apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. Those apps have a kill switch and DNS leak protection on both the mobile and desktop versions. This allows you to gain privacy and online security whether at home or on public wi-fi.

This VPN stores no usage logs. However, it does keep some connection logs which is not ideal with it being based in the US. That said, it still has everything you need to stop websites tracking your IP address, and it can protect you against wi-fi hackers. You can test it using its 45-day money-back guarantee.

EXCELLENT SPEEDS:Hotspot Shield is perfect for streaming, thanks to its proprietary VPN protocol. Works with a choice of Netflix regions, including the US. Servers in 80 countries, including Sweden. Has 24/7 live chat support for subscribers only. No usage logs. Comes with a 45-day money-back guarantee.

  • Servers in 80 countries, including Sweden

  • Works with many international streaming services, including Netflix

  • Provides 24/7 live chat and email support, but not in Swedish

  • Kill switch on both desktop and mobile apps

  • Has a 45-day money-back guarantee

  • Based in the US

  • Some connections logs

Read our full Hotspot Shield review.

In addition, online streaming providers work hard to block VPNs. As a result, free VPNs are always the first to lose access. In fact, very few paid VPNs work to stream SVT Play and other popular services, which is why you must pick a service carefully. We have searched thoroughly and we have yet to find a free VPN with servers in Sweden that work with popular TV platforms. 

Finally, we recommend against using free VPNs for privacy and security reasons. Free VPNs have dodgy privacy policies that let them harvest your data. They use this personal data to create a revenue stream by profiling you, advertising, and selling your data to third parties such as data brokers. 

In addition, free VPNs have been found to have weak encryption, DNS leaks, and other app vulnerabilities that make the VPN unsuitable for gaming privacy and security online. This makes using free VPNs a risk because they will give you a false sense of security. 

The encrypted tunnel provided by a VPN prevents ISPs, local network providers, government agencies, employers, landlords, and hackers on public wi-fi from being able to eavesdrop on your data. This ensures that you and your family gain complete online privacy.

The online privacy provided by a VPN is highly important because the things we do online can be used to make precise secondary inferences about us. This profiling is used for many detrimental purposes, which is why it is vital to always protect yourself online with a VPN.

Best of all, the way a VPN works to provide privacy means that you can also use it to get around online restrictions. As a result, you can get both privacy and freedom online for around the cost of a shop-bought sandwich each month.

Networks block access to certain services to save on bandwidth, or to prevent users from accessing services they would prefer to be off-limits. A VPN allows you to bypass these restrictions to gain complete online freedom, regardless of where you are. 

Thus, whether you are in a coffee shop, hotel, at work, or studying at University, a VPN can allow you to regain access to SVT Play or any other service that has been blocked.

Some of the content on SVT Play is available outside of Sweden without a VPN. However, many of its most popular shows are restricted abroad for licensing reasons. As a result, you will need a VPN. Below, we have included a list of popular shows you can watch on SVT with a VPN:

  • Dangerous family ties
  • Love child
  • Wanted for Murder
  • The red room of the soul
  • Vendettan
  • Father brown
  • The farmers
  • Svensson, Svensson
  • Sister
  • Dough
  • Atlantic Crossing
  • The Fall
  • Amelia - through love and war
  • Dips
  • Sjukt
  • Piste guard
  • Paw patrol
  • Vem?
  • 1 mot Sverige
  • Greta Gris
  • Married at first glance USA
  • Bonus talk