NordVPN
All-round choice: simple apps and up to 10 devices
- Up to 10 devices on one account
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- No-logs policy checked by independent auditors
VPN guide
★ Our pick
Best VPN for Expats
Stay connected and private while living abroad. NordVPN, Surfshark and Proton VPN compared for expats.
Living abroad means relying on local internet infrastructure you don't fully understand. A VPN adds a layer of encryption between your devices and the network, keeping your communications, banking and personal browsing private — wherever in the world you call home.
Surfshark
Big households: unlimited devices on one account
- Unlimited devices on one account
- 30-day money-back guarantee on the first purchase
- No-logs policy independently assessed (2025 report)
Proton VPN
Try before you pay: a free plan for one device
- Free plan to start (1 device)
- Up to 10 devices on the Plus plan
- Swiss company, also behind Proton Mail
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Side by side
Best VPN for Expats
Facts from each brand's official site, checked 27 Oct 2026. Prices change often: today's price is on the official site.
| NordVPN | Surfshark | Proton VPN | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Money-back guarantee | 30 days | 30 days (first purchase) | 30 days (paid plans) |
| Devices | Up to 10 | Unlimited | 10 on Plus · 1 on the free plan |
| Free option | No free plan | 7-day free trial (conditions on the official site) | Free plan (1 device) |
| Company base | Panama (parent company in the Netherlands) | Netherlands (Surfshark B.V.) | Switzerland (Proton) |
| Best for | All-round choice: simple apps and up to 10 devices | Big households: unlimited devices on one account | Try before you pay: a free plan for one device |
| NordVPN | Surfshark | Proton VPN |
Tips
Tips
Protect your home banking
Accessing your home-country bank from abroad over local Wi-Fi is risky without encryption. A VPN keeps those sessions secure.
Use on local networks you can't verify
Apartment buildings, co-living spaces, neighbourhood Wi-Fi — as an expat you often share networks with strangers.
Cover your whole household
Moving abroad usually means multiple devices on unfamiliar networks. Surfshark's unlimited devices covers the whole family.
Questions
Do expats need a VPN?
Yes. You're using networks you don't control in countries where internet regulations vary. A VPN provides consistent privacy regardless of location.
Will a VPN work in every country?
Most countries allow VPN use. A few restrict it — check local regulations before travelling. NordVPN and Surfshark work in most countries worldwide.
Can I use my VPN on public Wi-Fi abroad?
Absolutely. Public Wi-Fi abroad carries the same risks as at home — often more, since you're unfamiliar with the network. Always use your VPN.
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