Want to watch your favorite content on RaiPlay while traveling abroad? As this service is region-locked you will need the help of a VPN to continue watching your usual services while traveling. We reveal the best VPNs for RaiPlay and how to watch from anywhere in the world.

RAI is Italy’s national public broadcaster and has been a key operator of the country’s radio and TV stations for the better part of a century. More recently, this veteran of the airwaves took to the internet and introduced RaiPlay, an on-demand streaming service. Here you can find a wide range of original and syndicated programming from Rai’s catalog of TV shows and other content.

In this article, we reveal how to watch RaiTV in the USA, UK or anywhere else abroad with the help of a Virtual Private Network (VPN). Below we’ll let you know the best VPNs for watching RaiTV as well as how VPNs work and how to get set-up on your mobile device or desktop.

If you want to skip reading the whole article, here are the top-performing VPNs for viewing RaiPlay outside of Italy including summaries.

Best VPN for watching RaiPlay Abroad:

  • NordVPN: Our #1 choice to watch RaiPlay outside Italy. Streams RaiPlay with no issues. Even has an Italian section on their website. Fast and secure. 30-day money-back guarantee.
  • Surfshark: Best budget option. Unlimited connections, 24/7 live chat, and works reliably with services like RaiPlay and Netflix
  • ExpressVPN: Fast servers in Cosenza and Milan are great for RaiPlay and most Italian streaming content. Strong privacy and security features.
  • CyberGhost: Another value option with speedy servers and solid security.
  • IPVanish: 10 servers in Milan unlock RaiPlay with good speed and security.
  • PrivateVPN: Strong security and decent speed. Works with RaiPlay and plenty of other streaming content like Netflix.
  • Atlas VPN: A quick and reliable VPN with powerful security tools and real streaming potential. Secure any number of devices at once.
  • Private Internet Access: Servers in 80 countries including Italy. No bandwidth throttling means lag-free streaming of RaiPlay. Use it on 10 devices at once.

Rai TV is geo-locked to Italy, meaning you’ll need an Italian IP address in order to unblock RaiPlay from outside the country. An IP address is a unique identifier that indicates your general location. If you try to access RaiPlay from abroad, you’ll get the following error message:

Or, in English:

The easiest way to circumvent RaiPlay’s geographic restrictions is with a VPN. Short for ‘Virtual private network’, a VPN encrypts all of a device’s internet traffic and routes it through an intermediary server in a location of the user’s choosing. In this case, you would connect to a VPN server in Italy, which will assign you an Italian IP address.

Best VPNs for RaiPlay – at a glance

We’ve compared the most important features for the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for RaiPlay.

How to watch RaiPlay from anywhere

For novices, below is a quick guide on how to set up a VPN and use it with Rai TV online. The process below can be used to install a VPN and watch RaiPlay on your mobile phone, tablet or computer.

Here’s how to watch RaiPlay abroad (outside Italy) with a VPN:

  • Sign up for one of the recommended VPN services listed below, we particularly recommend NordVPN.
  • Download and install your provider’s VPN app onto your device.
  • Open the app and find the server selection page
  • Filter the servers by country if they aren’t already, and choose a server in Italy
  • Hit Connect and wait for the connection to establish.
  • The app will give some indication that you are now connected to the VPN server. Open up RaiPlay in your browser and start watching! Note that you may also need to clear your browser cookies and cache to remove old location identifiers.

Best VPN for Rai TV

There are hundreds of VPN services out there, but only a handful are suitable for RaiPlay viewers. We’ve curated our list of the best VPNs for RaiPlay based on the following criteria, which we explain in more detail later:

There are no hidden terms or conditions to be aware of, either—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.

  • Servers in Italy
  • Fast and reliable connections
  • Strong security
  • No identifying logs
  • Bonus points if the website is available in Italian

1. NordVPN

                    Jan 2023

Unblocks Rai TVTested Jan 2023

Apps Available:

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

Website: www.NordVPN.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

NordVPN operates 60+ servers in Italy so you should have no problem watching HD video without buffering. All in all NordVPN’s network includes over 5,000 servers in more than 60 countries. NordVPN can also securely access popular streaming sites like Netflix and Hulu, among others. The Panama-based company runs on a strict zero-logs policy, which means it retains no information about your connection or activity whatsoever. DNS leak protection comes standard. The website is available in Italian.

Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Linux, and Android. The Italy server is a standard server, but NordVPN also has specialized servers for Tor over VPN, torrenting, and more.

BEST VPN FOR RAI TV:NordVPN is our first choice. Works well with Rai TV and has servers in Italy. Connects up to 6 devices simultaneously. Great privacy and security credentials. Offers a risk-free 30-day money back guarantee.

Pros:

  • No issues with Rai TV or other streaming sites from abroad
  • Fast enough for HD streaming
  • Allows 6 simultaneous connections on one account
  • Easy to use apps that are secure and offer privacy
  • Zero-logs policy

Cons:

  • Connecting via the desktop app can be slow

Our score:

Read our full NordVPN review.

2. Surfshark

unblocks rai tvTested Jan 2023

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website: www.Surfshark.com

Surfshark doesn’t keep logs and uses strong encryption. Torrenting is allowed, and kill switches come built into both the mobile and desktop apps to prevent data leaks. Live chat support is at your disposal around the clock.

Apps are available for Windows, Linux, MacOS, iOS, and Android.

BEST BUDGET OPTION:Connect all your devices to Surfshark and unblock Rai TV without breaking the bank. Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

  • Unblocks Rai TV from abroad

  • Offers 24/7 live chat

  • Impressive security credentials

  • Doesn’t keep any logs

  • No limit on number of devices connected

  • Relatively small server network

  • Occasional slow server

Read our full Surfshark review.

3. ExpressVPN

Unblocks Rai TVTested Jan 2023

Website: www.ExpressVPN.com

ExpressVPN operates a huge network of more than 3,000 servers in 94 countries. That includes two locations in Italy: Cosenza and Milan. The website is also available in Italian. Every server is optimized for maximum speed and reliability. Subscribers should have no problem streaming their favorite Italian shows from RaiPlay in HD.

ExpressVPN uses the strongest encryption standards in the business and keeps no logs of your activity or real IP address. DNS leak protection is built in, which means RaiPlay can’t identify you by determining where your website lookups are sent, nor by your IP address. ExpressVPN also works with popular streaming sites like Netflix, Hulu, and HBO Max.

Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, and Linux. ExpressVPN also makes a custom router firmware that you can install for free on compatible wifi routers, or you can opt to purchase a pre-configured router directly from the company.

GREAT FOR STREAMING:ExpressVPN is fast and reliable. Great for Rai TV and most major streaming services. Italian servers are optimized for speed. Hard to beat on security and privacy features and keeps no logs. Good choice of user friendly apps. Try it risk-free with the 30-day money back guarantee.

  • Works seamlessly with RaiPlay and Rai TV

  • Blazing-fast servers for streaming and downloading

  • High-grade encryption, security and privacy throughout

  • Lets you stream most popular streaming sites from anywhere

  • Not as cheap as some other services

  • May not offer enough functionality for advanced users

Read our full ExpressVPN review.

4. CyberGhost

Website: www.Cyberghost.com

Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS

CyberGhost allows subscribers to connect to a whopping 90 servers in Italy alone. You can even translate the website into Italian, if you prefer. In total, CyberGhost operates over 8,000 active servers in 90+ countries. This is one of the fastest VPNs available, so streaming (even in 4K) does not present any problems whatsoever.

All connections are hardened with 256-bit encryption. The company keeps zero logs and includes all manner of security tools from leak protection to WireGuard support and tracker-blocking.

Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.

VALUE AND PERFORMANCE:CyberGhost is easy to use. A budget choice that is good on privacy and security. Streams HD video reliably. Good for Rai TV and Netflix and many other streaming sites. 45-day money back guarantee.

  • Works well with Rai TV and some other streaming sites

  • Streams HD quality video

  • Budget priced provider with impressive streaming speeds

  • Good security and they don’t store user activity logs

  • Not suitable for those that need control of advanced features

  • Doesn’t work in China

Read our full CyberGhost review.

5. IPVanish

Website: www.IPVanish.com

IPVanish operates over two dozen servers in Milan, and has roughly 2,000 servers in 60+ locations overall. The company owns these, rather than renting them, ensuring maximum privacy and top quality connections. This VPN is extremely fast and has no connection limit, so RaiPlay viewers abroad should have no problem streaming video whenever and wherever they want.

IPVanish holds to a serious no-logs policy, meaning it doesn’t record any information about what you do while connected. DNS and IPv6 leak protection come built in and turned on by default. 256-bit AES encryption is used to secure the tunnel that all your traffic travels through.

Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android. IPVanish is particularly popular in the Kodi community thanks to a remote control-friendly app and the ability to work with any Kodi add-on.

LARGE SERVER NETWORK:IPVanish is great for families. Works well with Rai TV and is well represented with Italian servers. Privacy and security are solid. Speeds handle multiple simultaneous connected devices. 30-day money back guarantee on annual plans.

  • Works well with Rai TV and other popular services

  • All the security and privacy features you need for most situations

  • Works well with Kodi add-ons for remote control users

  • Apps don’t work in China

  • Struggles with some streaming platforms

Read our full IPVanish review.

6. PrivateVPN

Website: www.PrivateVPN.com

PrivateVPN may only have one server in Italy (and around 200 overall) but don’t let that dissuade you–PrivateVPN scores extremely well in our speed tests and works with just about every streaming service we’ve tested. Further, this service just increased its connection limit and can now secure 10 devices at a time.

It’s not making any rookie mistakes either. You’ll find a kill switch, stealth mode, DNS leak protection, strong encryption and a zero logs policy already in place. There’s also live chat-based customer support, although this isn’t quite available 24/7.

Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android.

GREAT SPEED:PrivateVPN is consistently reliable. Unblocks Rai TV and allows up to 10 devices on the same account. Solid security and privacy credentials. Only one server in Italy but achieves fast connections. 30-day money back guarantee.

  • No issues unblocking Rai TV

  • Also works with plenty of other streaming services

  • Strong security and privacy features and decent speeds

  • Small number of servers with only 2 in Italy

  • Live chat is not around the clock

  • Support staff are OK, but only operate during European business hours

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

7. Atlas VPN

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

Website: www.atlasvpn.com

When it comes to security, Atlas VPN has you covered. It uses 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, leak protection, and a zero-logs policy to keep your activities hidden at all times. There are even special servers that swap your IP address periodically! If you need help, support staff are available at any time via the live chat service.

Atlas VPN has apps for iOS, Windows, MacOS, and Android.

STRONG ALL-ROUNDER:Atlas VPN has everything you’ll need to watch Rai securely as you travel. In fact, it’s capable of protecting every device you own. Best of all, this no-logs VPN comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

  • Very easy to use

  • Unlimited devices

  • Prioritizes user security

  • No Linux or router support

  • Cancelling could be much easier

Why not read our full Atlas VPN review?

8. Private Internet Access

Website: www.PrivateInternetAccess.com

Private Internet Access has a server network that spans over 80 countries, Italy included. With it, you can stream Rai TV, Netflix, and Mediaset while traveling abroad. What’s more, you’ll be able to do so without lag or buffering thanks to its unlimited bandwidth. It’s also worth knowing that while most VPNs only let you connect a handful devices at once, PIA permits 10 simultaneous connections per account.

There’s no shortage of security features with PIA. Of course, this includes all of the essentials such as 256-bit AES encryption, DNS leak protection, and a kill switch. However, there’s even a built-in ad blocker and an optional antivirus add-on. Don’t want anyone and everyone knowing what you’re doing online? PIA has a no-logs policy. While easy to use, know that 24-hour live chat support is at hand if needed.

SECURE 10 DEVICES:Private Internet Access is ideal for families thanks to its 10 simultaneous connection allowance. No bandwidth throttling, servers in 80 countries, and works with RaiPlay. Built-in ad blocker. 30-day money-back guarantee.

  • Server network covers 84 countries including Italy

  • Good, consistent speeds allow for streaming RaiPlay lag-free

  • Lets you secure up to 10 of your devices at once

  • Plenty of security features including an ad blocker

  • Struggles to bypass the restrictions of some streaming services

  • Doesn’t work reliably in China

Read our full Private Internet Access review.

Can I use a free VPN to watch Rai TV?

You might be asking why you need to pay for a VPN when so many free ones are available. In truth, these so-called “free” VPNs are still businesses, and it costs money for them to operate a VPN service. To pay for server fees and other overhead costs, free VPNs often mine your internet traffic for personal info and browsing data, which is then sold to third-party advertisers. Sometimes free VPNs inject advertisements right into your browser, and other times they insert tracking cookies to monitor what you browse online.

On top of that, free VPNs tend to have far fewer servers, and those they do have are overloaded and slow. They often implement data caps or bandwidth limits, which will lead to long buffer times and TV shows getting cut off in the middle while watching RaiPlay. Most free VPNs, of course, do not have servers in Italy anyway.

If you just want a VPN to unblock RaiPlay, you might not care so much about the privacy-related reasons for using a VPN. But at their core, VPNs are privacy services. They can protect you while using unsecured public wifi, prevent your ISP from snooping on your behavior, and mask your device’s unique IP address so hackers and governments cannot trace your activity back to you. All VPN providers need to maintain a high standard of privacy and security in order to earn users’ trust and keep them protected. Free VPNs go against this as using free VPN apps runs a high risk of contracting malware that can damage your device and steal your private data. In short, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

See also:

  • How to watch Italian TV abroad
  • How to watch Netflix Italy

RaiPlay VPN testing methodology

At Comparitech, we test VPNs using a scientific VPN testing methodology. This allows us to compare each service and recommend them for various use cases. We test for IP, DNS, and WebRTC leaks to ensure the VPN is performing as advertised to provide online privacy.

We also check the encryption, to be sure that you can trust it to protect your data inside the VPN tunnel. Below, we have included a list of features we looked for when recommending VPNs for RaiPlay.

  • Large server network. We looked for VPNs that have a global server network to allow you to access content and services from all over the world. This includes servers in Italy to stream RaiPlay.

  • Apps for all platforms. We looked for VPNs that offer versatility and ease of use, with custom apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. We also looked for additional support, such as apps for firesticks, routers, or browser extensions.

  • Advanced features. We check each VPN for extra features, such as obfuscation, split tunneling, Smart DNS, malware protection, ad blocking, multi-hop connections, and more. This makes the VPN more versatile and better value for money.

  • Robust security. We test each VPN for DNS leak protection and ensure it has robust encryption that is implemented to a high standard. We also check for a kill switch to ensure it will cut your internet off should the VPN connection fail (to stop you leaking unprotected data outside of the VPN tunnel).

  • Excellent customer service. We recommend VPNs that provide live chat and email support to let you ask questions at any time of day.

  • Superb accessibility. We check that each VPN works with RaiPlay and other popular Italian TV and streaming services. We also test the international servers to see if they work with Netflix, Hulu, and other leading streaming platforms.

  • Connect to a different VPN server in Italy

  • Clear your cookies

  • Clear your browser or app cache

  • Sign out of RaiPlay and sign back in again

  • If you’re watching on the RaiPlay app, try switching to a web browser

  • Enable leak protection in your VPN app settings if available

  • Rai News 24

  • Rai Sport

  • Rai Scuola (School)

  • Rai Radio 2

  • Rai Yoyo

  • Rai Gulp

  • Rai Storia (History)

  • Rai Premium

  • Rai Movie

  • Rai 1

  • Rai 2

  • Rai 3

  • Rai 4

  • Rai 5

The good news is that streaming platforms like RaiPlay spend their time and energy on blocking VPN servers rather than banning users. Thus, you should not experience any problems by using a VPN to watch RaiPlay outside of Italy.

On the other hand, the proactive VPN blackouts imposed by RaiPlay mean that you must stick to a reliable VPN that has servers in Italy that have not been blocked. This makes it essential that you choose one of our recommendations if you want to avoid disappointment while traveling overseas.

That said, we’ve yet to hear a single credible report of anyone being banned for streaming RaiPlay with a VPN. The worst that’s likely to happen is you’ll be shown an error, and that’s assuming Rai even notices you’re connected (which isn’t guaranteed).