How To Watch BBC iPlayer Abroad in 2024: A Straightforward Guide

Written by: Tomas Mazowski, TV enthusiast and streaming expert
Last updated: July 30, 2024

As you may already know, BBC iPlayer only works if you’re in the UK. Trying to access the app or site from abroad results in a black screen and a friendly message letting you know that, unfortunately, TV night has been cancelled. This is because programme licensing rights are limited to geographical areas, so even if you're a resident of the United Kingdom and pay the TV license, you won't have access to iPlayer when you're out of the country. In the streaming industry, this is called geo-blocking, and most video streaming services implement this in one way or another.

In this 10-minute guide we’ll show you how to unblock BBC iPlayer and regain access to all of your favourite TV programmes, even when you’re outside the UK. Let’s get started!

Going for a short holiday? Use BBC iPlayer Downloads on your computer or the iPlayer app on your mobile device.

If you only plan to be away for a short period of time, there's a free and easy way to maintain your access to BBC iPlayer. On your computer, you can use the official BBC iPlayer Downloads app, which allows you to download programmes from the BBC iPlayer website to your computer for later viewing.

On your phone or tablet, you don't have to do anything extra because the BBC iPlayer app already has all the download functionality built in. Simply tap 'Download' beneath the episode you want to download, wait for the download to finish, and you're all set.

Neither of the above will work for live programming or episodes released after you’ve left the country. To unlock BBC and maintain access to new BBC content when you're outside the UK for extended periods of time, you will need to use a VPN.

Longer holiday or living outside the UK? Use a VPN to unblock BBC iPlayer.

There’s a simple way to work around the BBC iPlayer geo-block. Using a VPN service - software that lets you change your internet address to a server in another location - you can make it look like you are connecting from a different country, thus “unblocking” geo-blocked streaming services. The VPN does this by having servers all across the globe (including the UK) and acting as a middleman between your device and the site or service you are trying to reach. As you can imagine this can be very useful if, for example, you are currently abroad but want it to appear to the BBC that you’re surfing from home. Let’s take a look at how to set everything up - it’s easy.

Step-by-step: how to watch BBC iPlayer if you're outside the UK

1. Register for a free BBC iPlayer account

This step is pretty straightforward, just fill out the form on the BBC website: https://account.bbc.com/register/. You will need a valid UK postcode to be able to complete registration (for example SW1A 1AA or M16 0RA). After you’ve registered, the BBC will send you an email with a validation link that you will have to click before you can log in on their site. 

2. Sign up for a VPN service subscription

Not all VPN services play nice with iPlayer since the Beeb actively tries to prevent people from bypassing their geo-block.

Out of the VPN services that we have tested, we recommend the following that all work with iPlayer:

#1 ExpressVPN - Our top recommendation

Although slightly more expensive than the other two options, this VPN is considered the premium choice and the best VPN in our test. The speeds are more than enough to stream in 4K, and they have servers available in more countries than the other companies, which opens up more geo-blocked streaming services. Highly recommended.

Click here to unblock BBC iPlayer using ExpressVPN

#2 Surfshark - A solid alternative

The cheapest option at just below £2 per month if you go for a two-year subscription. They have a very easy-to-use application and support unblocking of many streaming services, including BBC iPlayer. With Surfshark, you can watch BBC on an unlimited number of devices, a feature we really liked since it makes it easy to share the VPN with family members. 

Click here to unblock BBC iPlayer using Surfshark

#3 NordVPN - Popular choice

NordVPN is one of the most popular and reliable VPN companies out there, and it's also quite affordable if you go for the longer plans. NordVPN works with iPlayer and also unblocks a couple more streaming services than Surfshark (ABC and Eleven Sports, for example). It allows for 6 simultaneous connections.

Click here to unblock BBC iPlayer using NordVPN

Which one to choose?
If all you do is stream, our recommendation is ExpressVPN. Their reliability and high speeds are what make them the top choice in our test. Right now, they also offer 3 months extra for free if you sign up for a 12-month plan.

ExpressVPN - Get 3 extra months FREE
30-day money-back guarantee

3. Set up the VPN on your computer, phone and/or tablet

Once you’ve signed up for a VPN, you will need to download their software onto your computer, phone or tablet. The applications for the above mentioned VPNs are all very easy to use: you log in with your account, pick a UK server from a list or a map and click connect.

4. Done! BBC iPlayer is now unblocked.

Once connected, you should be able to watch BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world.