NPO Start, the official streaming service of the Dutch Public Broadcaster, offers a wide range of popular news, sports, and cultural shows. However, due to broadcasting restrictions, this content is normally only available to viewers within the Netherlands.
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is the best way to watch NPO Start from anywhere in the world. A VPN lets you connect to a server in the Netherlands, which gives you a Dutch IP address and unblocks the platform. The most effective VPNs for this have fast, reliable servers in the Netherlands and strong security features.
We recommend leading services like ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark. All three come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to try them out with confidence.
- Sign up for a recommended VPN service. (We highly recommend ExpressVPN)
- Download and install the VPN app, then log in and connect to a server located in the Netherlands.
- Go to the NPO Start website or app and begin streaming content.
In this article, we will present our top-recommended VPN services for watching NPO Start in detail. Additionally, we will show you how to watch NPO Start from outside Netherlands using a VPN.
How to Choose the Best VPN for Watching NPO Start
When selecting a VPN for streaming NPO Start, it’s important to consider a few key factors to ensure a smooth and secure viewing experience. Here are five things to look for:
- Servers in the Netherlands: To watch NPO Start, you need a Dutch IP address. Therefore, the most crucial feature is a VPN provider that has reliable servers located in the Netherlands.
- Strong Security and Privacy: A trustworthy VPN is essential for protecting your online activity. Look for services that provide AES-256 encryption, which is the industry standard for securing data. A kill switch is also a vital feature that automatically disconnects you from the internet if your VPN connection drops, preventing any data leaks. For maximum privacy, choose a VPN with a strict no-log policy, which guarantees that your online activities are never recorded.
- Fast Connection Speeds: While the encryption process can slightly slow down your internet connection, a top-tier VPN service should have a minimal impact on speed. With premium providers like ExpressVPN and NordVPN, you likely won’t notice any difference, ensuring a buffer-free streaming experience.
- A Reliable Reputation: The popularity of a VPN is often a good indicator of its reliability. Well-established services with a large user base are more likely to have stable connections and be effective at bypassing geo-restrictions. Less-known VPNs may not be as consistent.
- Responsive Customer Support: You may occasionally encounter issues, such as a website temporarily blocking access or a software update causing a glitch. In these cases, having access to fast and helpful customer support is invaluable for resolving problems quickly and getting back to streaming.
Best VPN Services for Watching NPO Start from Anywhere (Outside the Netherlands)
Here are some excellent VPN services we recommend.
| ExpressVPN | NordVPN | SurfShark | |
| Prices | 1-Month: $13.99 12-Months: $5.99/month 24-Months: $4.49/month | 1-Month: $11.99 12-Months: $4.99/month 24-Months: $3.99/month | 1-Month: $12.95 12-Months: $3.99/month 24-Months: $2.39/month |
| Money-back Guarantee | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days |
| Countries | 105 | 118 | 100 |
| Total Number of Servers | 3,000+ | 7,000+ | 3,200+ |
| Servers in the US | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Connection Speed | Ultra Fast | Fast | Fast |
| Security | AES-256 Kill Switch | AES-256 Kill Switch | AES-256 Kill Switch |
| Privacy | No-logging | No-logging | No-logging |
| Support | 24/7 Live Chat Support | 24/7 Live Chat Support | 24/7 Live Chat Support |
| Maximum devices supported | 12 | 10 | Unlimited |
ExpressVPN: Ultra-fast Internet Speeds

| Prices | 1-Month: $13.99 12-Months: $5.99/month 24-Months: $4.49/month |
| Money-back Guarantee | 30 days |
| Countries | 105 |
| Total Number of Servers | 3,000+ |
| Security | AES-256 Kill Switch |
| Maximum devices supported | 12 |
ExpressVPN offers some of the fastest internet speeds among the VPNs we have used. All VPNs may slow down your internet connection, but ExpressVPN is one of the fastest, and you rarely notice the difference. Review sites consistently rank ExpressVPN as one of the fastest VPNs. Additionally, with over 3,000 servers in 105 countries, you have a wide choice of countries to change IP addresses to. Real humans are available 24-hour live chat support to help you with setup and troubleshooting. ExpressVPN also has a no-log policy.
After you’ve registered with ExpressVPN, you can use it to easily browse the internet just by downloading their app.
- Place a high importance on internet speed
\30 day Money-Back Guarantee/
NordVPN: The Ultimate Balance of Price and Internet Speed

| Prices (standard plan) | 1-Month: $11.99 12-Months: $4.99/month 24-Months: $3.99/month |
| Money-back Guarantee | 30 days |
| Countries | 118 |
| Total Number of Servers | 7,000+ |
| Security | AES-256 Kill Switch |
| Maximum devices supported | 10 |
NordVPN’s excellent service, and balance of price, internet speed, servers, and countries, has allowed it to gain the greatest market share in the world. Overall, NordVPN consistently receives great reviews from leading experts. NordVPN has more than 7,000 servers in 118 countries, so you also have a lot of choices for which country to change your IP address to. You can et help and advice from our friendly customer support team through email or live chat for your 24/7. And NordVPN also has a no-log policy.
After you’ve registered, you can easily browse the internet using NordVPN just by downloading their app.
- Want to balance price and internet speed
\30 day Money-Back Guarantee/
Surfshark: Impressive Performance with a Lower Price

| Prices (standard plan) | 1-Month: $12.95 12-Months: $3.99/month 24-Months: $2.39/month |
| Money-back Guarantee | 30 days |
| Countries | 100 |
| Total Number of Servers | 3,200+ |
| Security | AES-256 Kill Switch |
| Maximum devices supported | Unlimited |
Surfshark offers impressive performance with a lower price. You can get Surfshark much cheaper than other services if you apply for the 24-month plan. Furthermore, Surfshark has no connection limits. So, you and your family can connect and use all your devices simultaneously. Surfshark has more than 3,200 servers in 100 countries. Just like the other VPNs, you also have a lot of choices for which country to change your IP address to. Customer support experts are there for you 24/7, if you need a helping hand with them via live chat or email. And SurfsharkVPN also has a no-log policy.
After you’ve registered, you can easily browse the internet using Surfshark by downloading their app.
- Who are budget conscious and want to want to connect with lots of devices
\30 day Money-Back Guarantee/
How to Watch NPO Start from Anywhere (Outside the Netherlands)
Here are the steps to access NPO Start using a VPN:
- Sign up for a recommended VPN service. (We highly recommend ExpressVPN)
- Download and install the VPN app, then log in and connect to a server located in the Netherlands.
- Go to the NPO Start website or app and begin streaming content.
ExpressVPN has some of the fastest internet speeds of the VPNs we have used. All VPNs may slow down your internet connection, but ExpressVPN is one of the fastest, and you rarely notice the difference. So, using ExpressVPN, you can enjoy TV programs normally available only in other countries without a noticeable difference in speed. After you’ve registered with ExpressVPN, you can easily browse the internet using ExpressVPN just by downloading their app
Step 1: Sign up for ExpressVPN
To register with ExpressVPN, click the “Claim Exclusive Deal” button as shown below. After the price plan is shown, follow the instructions.

STEP2. Download and install the VPN app, then log in and connect to a server located in the Netherlands
After registering with ExpressVPN, download and launch the app. Click the “…” in the app and type “Netherlands” in the search box.

Select a server and click the power icon in the center. You are now connected to a server in the Netherlands.

STEP3. Go to the NPO Start website or app and begin streaming content
Access NPO Start and start streaming immediately.
You need to access NPO Start while connected to a server in the Netherlands, so that NPO Start will treat you as if you are accessing it from the Netherlands.
NPO Start offers a free and anonymous plan that allows you to start streaming by simply connecting through a VPN server. No account creation is required. However, content marked with a Plus icon requires a subscription to NPO Start Plus, which is available for €2.95 per month.

Why Can’t I Watch NPO Start Outside the Netherlands?
The primary reason NPO Start is not accessible from outside the Netherlands is due to media licensing and copyright agreements. Like most national broadcasters, NPO only holds the rights to show its content within a specific geographic region, which in this case is the Netherlands.
To enforce this, the platform uses geo-blocking technology to identify your location based on your IP address. If you attempt to stream a program from abroad, your access will be denied, and you will typically see an error message in Dutch:
“Het is niet gelukt de stream op te halen: Dit programma mag niet bekeken worden vanaf jouw locatie.”
This translates to:
“Unable to retrieve the stream: This program cannot be viewed from your location.“

How Does a VPN Enables You to Access NPO Start form Outside the Netherlands?
Using a VPN enables you to mask your location. A website like NPO Start determines screen content based on IP address. For example, if you access the website from outside of the Netherlands, the screen content will not be displayed. However, if you access the website via an internet provider in the Netherlands, screen content for the Netherlands will be shown.

If you access the website via VPN servers in the Netherlands, your IP address will actually appear like this. By using a VPN, the website will treat you as if you are browsing from the Netherlands, regardless of where you are.

FAQs
Is it legal to watch NPO Start with VPNs?
Using VPNs to watch NPO Start is legal. VPNs are widely used by individuals to protect their private information and other online activity.

Can I watch NPO Start for free?
Yes, NPO Start offers a free streaming option. However, content marked with a Plus icon requires a subscription to NPO Start Plus, which costs €2.95 per month.
Can I use a free VPN?
We recommend paid services in terms of privacy and security because we don’t know how free VPNs manage our log traffic data. It is also said that free VPNs are more likely to track our data. Many paid services have a money-back guarantee. If you aren’t satisfied with the service, you can receive a refund.

What else can a VPN be used for?
In addition to bypassing geographical content restrictions, VPNs can also enhance your online privacy and security. Furthermore, it can be used to save money on subscription services like YouTube Premium and Netflix by allowing you to subscribe from regions where prices are lower.

Conclusion
- Sign up for a recommended VPN service. (We highly recommend ExpressVPN)
- Download and install the VPN app, then log in and connect to a server located in the Netherlands.
- Go to the NPO Start website or app and begin streaming content.