How to Get a Belgian IP Address in 2020: Brussels Routs

Belgians abroad miss out on the famous Belgian chocolate and beer, as well as its affordable, high-speed internet. What’s worse, though, is not being able to watch local shows and access Belgian websites because of geoblocks. Thankfully, you can change your IP address to a Belgian one and access all the content you want. We’re going to show you how to get one.

An IP address is a unique set of digits assigned to your device when you connect to the internet that tells websites which country you’re in. Changing your IP address to a Belgian one will also help you get around website blocks that deny you access to your online bank account or government services.

How to Get a Belgian IP Address

There are two main ways of getting a Belgian IP address: using a proxy or using a virtual private network. When you use a proxy service, you can change your IP address so you can access your favorite content or online services. However, as you can read in our VPN vs. Proxy vs. Tor guide, proxies lack critical security features, like encryption, and expose your real IP address.

We recommend using a VPN, as it adds an extra layer of security by encrypting your connection and can hide your IP address and location so you can access all channels that broadcast within Belgium. 

It’ll also encrypt your data to stop online snoopers from stealing it, especially when using public WiFi. Most providers don’t keep logs, either, which means your online activity is kept private.

Any of our best VPN suggestions can help you change your IP address, but you need one with servers in Belgium. We picked three recommendations that’ll help you do that, which will also give you access to Belgian content and online services.

ExpressVPN

We picked ExpressVPN because it’s the best VPN around and hits all the right marks. It tops our list for the fastest VPN on the market, is easy to use and has excellent security, to boot. 

It also has a zero-log policy and the highest encryption protocol grades, which ensure your privacy is protected. Check out our ExpressVPN review for a more in-depth analysis of the service.

If your priority is streaming content on Netflix or other platforms, ExpressVPN is also the best VPN for streaming, as it bypasses geoblocks and there are no bandwidth caps. It works on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS, plus you can download extensions for major browsers, like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Safari. 

Customer support is available 24/7 via live chat and email. There’s a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can make sure you like it before committing.

NordVPN

NordVPN is another good choice that can get you a Belgian IP address thanks to its massive server network spread throughout 60 countries. Security is top-notch with a kill switch and double-hop servers that encrypt your connection twice. 

Plus, it doesn’t log your activity. It also has good speeds, unlimited bandwidth and can unlock streaming services, which is why it’s one of the best VPN for Netflix.

The downside is that its speeds can be inconsistent when connecting over long distances, but it offers fast server switch times. 

You can connect to it quickly on major operating systems, like Windows, macOS, Android and iOS. You can try it before you buy it, too, with a 30-day refund period. Read our NordVPN review for more details.

CyberGhost

Last but not least is CyberGhost. Like our other two recommendations, it offers Belgian servers — 76 in Brussels, alone — so you have plenty to choose from. It provides great security and a kill switch, so you can browse knowing you’re safe. Read our CyberGhost review to learn more about the service.

CyberGhost has good speeds and unlimited bandwidth, so you won’t worry about data usage limits, and you can connect up to seven devices simultaneously. This is why it’s one of our best VPN for multiple devices.

You can use it on Windows, macOS, Android and iOS. Customer support is available via live chat or email, and it has an extensive knowledgebase for troubleshooting tips. Plus, it comes with a 45-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it first.

The Dangers of Using a Belgian IP Address

Belgium is one of the top countries in the world when it comes to internet penetration and overall connectivity. Despite that, there are still some dangers to look out for within the country, especially with the recent terrorist attacks in Europe. These led the Belgian government to draft new legislation that’ll allow it to monitor its citizens’ online activity, including surveillance on messaging apps, like WhatsApp and Viber. 

Consequently, Belgian ISPs will be obliged to hand over user data to the authorities when they conduct investigations. Using a VPN is the only way to avoid this happening.

The Belgian Code of Criminal Procedure also places blocks on illegal content, such as copyrighted material on gambling or gaming sites without official Game Committee licensing. If you decide to circumvent these rules through P2P file sharing, make sure you use one of our best VPN for torrenting picks or risk running afoul of copyright authorities.

The Belgian Anti-Piracy Federation can order ISPs to block sites, without a court order. Worse still, they often receive requests to filter certain sites, which makes it harder for Belgian users to browse the web for legitimate purposes.

Final Thoughts

We hope this guide has helped you know how to get a Belgian IP address. It’s much easier with a VPN, as it’s more secure and safeguards your online freedom from government surveillance or cyberattacks. 

Any of our three VPN picks can help you change your IP address to a Belgian one, while protecting your privacy and securing your connection. They also unblock Netflix and other streaming services. 

Do you have suggestions for how to get a Belgian IP address? Let us know in the comments below. We’d love to hear about it. Check out our VPN library for more articles that may interest you. As always, thank you for reading.