Last Updated on June 19, 2025

BBC iPlayer Belgium: How to Start Watching BBC iPlayer from Anywhere

Quick Summary – How to Watch BBC iPlayer in Belgium

• Subscribe to a VPN Provider with UK Servers (NordVPN is a Great Choice)
• Download the Software for the Device You’re Going to Use
• Select a UK Server and Connect
• Create a free account if you haven’t got one
• Login to BBC iPlayer and Start Streaming

What is BBC iPlayer?

BBC iPlayer is one of the most popular streaming and TV service in United Kingdom. It offers live streaming events such as sports games, popular panel shows, and news broadcasting. BBC iPlayer is a staple for British television and radio programs not only in United Kingdom but also around the world.

The service is potentially available to everyone who uses a UK based IP address and works on any type of device that you have – computers, laptops, tablets, smartphones and Smart TVs. In 2022, BBC iPlayer expects to have over 8 billion streams!

Of course if you’re located outside the United Kingdom, you’re not going to have a UK IP address. So many people are looking for a way to watch BBC iPlayer in Belgium.

Why Does iPlayer not work in Belgium?

BBC iPlayer is a great resource for streaming TV shows and movies from the UK. However, it is not available by default in Belgium. The BBC restrict access to iPlayer from anywhere outside the United Kingdom they say because of copyright issues. This is the message you’ll receive if you do try and watch from Belgium or anywhere outside Britain.

The BBC uses a technology called geo-targeting, which basically determines your location by looking up the IP address you use when you connect. If the IP address is registered in the UK everything will work fine, if not you’ll not be able to watch and will be redirected to the ‘International’ version of the site instead.

There are workarounds to this problem which literally millions of people across the world use to circumvent these restrictions. Many ex-pats and travellers have been using these methods for over a decade. However over the last few years this has been getting more difficult as the BBC has started to try and prevent these workarounds. This is because BBC iPlayer uses tools that can detect fake British IP addresses and block it. Additionally, BBC iPlayer knows there are many tools available to unblock it in Belgium and other locations around the world.

Thus, many browser extensions, smart DNS, and even VPNs are blocked by iPlayer. The most reliable and trusted service providers have found a way to keep their operations stable while allowing access from Belgium. The best tools for opening iPlayer work also in Belarus, Belize and other places across the globe.

How to Watch BBC iPlayer from Belgium

There are a few ways to watch BBC iPlayer from Belgium. The simplest, and safest is to use a VPN to change your IP address to a UK IP address. You can use one of the unofficial BBC iPlayer streaming websites however these are very unreliable and some can install adware or worse on your computer.

There are a few ways to watch BBC iPlayer from Belgium, but the easiest is definitely to install a simple VPN client on your device. You can then watch from the web page or via the BBC app if it’s supported on that device. To do this, you need to enable your VPN client and connect to a server based in the UK. Afterwards simply download the BBC iPlayer app from either the App Store or Google Play and register for an account or login as a current user.

If you’re not on your mobile device, you can also watch BBC iPlayer in places like the Netherlands or Belgium by using a VPN on another platform. NordVPN is a good VPN to use in order to watch iPlayer from Belgium, as it masks your current location and connects you to UK server. Many of the other big VPNs don’t work that well for streaming UK content anymore. ExpressVPN for example used to work seamlessly with all the UK platforms. However not anymore as the BBC seems to have blocked many of their IP addresses. As such it has blocked tons of UK streaming platforms, including BBC iPlayer, ITV, and UKTV Play.

Here’s an example of how you can use our favourite VPN – NordVPN to watch BBC iPlayer. It’s very reliable as long as you use the BBC iPlayer optimized servers (see section below) and also offers a user-friendly app that makes it easy to unblock UK content. A VPN makes it seem like you’re browsing the internet from another location of your choosing–in this case, the UK.

It’s kind of sad that British TV isn’t accessible in many countries because of geo-restrictions put in place by broadcasters like the BBC. However, with a good VPN service like those mentioned above, you can easily unblock these restrictions and enjoy all your favourite British shows while living or travelling abroad.

BBC iPlayer accounts and the UK TV Licence

A lot of people are asking about BBC iPlayer accounts lately and whether or not you need a UK TV Licence to watch. The answer is yes. Technically you do need a TV Licence to watch live BBC content–including on BBC iPlayer if you’re physically located in the UK. However, if you’re using a VPN to watch from outside the UK, then you can’t actually buy a UK TV license.

You will be asked when you try and use BBC iPlayer from any location if you have a UK TV license (see below). However there’s no check and as long as you answer yes then everything will work ok. You can’t buy a British TV license from outside the UK anyway so don’t feel guilty !

The main thing to keep in mind is that if you’re watching BBC iPlayer while located in the UK, this is technically illegal according to their licensing agreement. So, if you’re in the UK then you will definitely need to buy a UK TV license to be safe and ensure that you’re following all the rules

What are the Best VPNs for watching BBC iPlayer from Belgium?

There are a number of VPNs that allow users to watch BBC iPlayer from Belgium. Unfortunately it’s very difficult to keep track of which ones work at any given time. You’ll see some VPN like CyberGhost being praised on some expat forum and the very next week it will stop working. The problem is that it’s an ongoing battle between the VPN services and the media companies like the BBC. The BBC iPlayer continuously looks for patterns and connections which identify the presence of a VPN – then they will block that IP address range from accessing the site. Suddenly your super reliable VPN service won’t work anymore.

NordVPN is one of the most affordable VPNs for unblocking streaming platforms. It has a massive number of servers which makes it an attractive option for content watchers who like to watch on multiple devices at once. The NordLynx protocol, developed around the new WireGuard VPN protocol, is one reason why this VPN is so appealing to content watchers. NordVPN also has a 30 day money-back guarantee and delivers on its promise. It is compatible with Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, Chrome OS, Linux, Firefox OS and router platforms.

However the most important reason for using NordVPN to watch the BBC iPlayer is that it maintains a set of servers specifically for BBC access. This means it can focus on keeping these servers working instead of all of their UK servers. This makes the task much more manageable and sustainable and as long as you connect to these UK servers then BBC should work perfectly.

Use the NordVPN Optimized BBC Servers for Streaming Access from Belgium

If you decide to use NordVPN as your chosen VPN service and you want to access the BBC or any of the main UK TV stations then use one of these server names. As you can see these are just the server names which have their IP addresses monitored and rotated frequently. This means they are much harder to detect and block by BBC iPlayer, They are definitely the best Nord VPN servers to use for BBC access.

UK# 1840-1847, 1850-1863, 1865, 1869, 1873, 1875-1878, 1880-1881, 1900-1901, 1903-1904, 1911, 1913, 1917, 1919-1920.

Just select any server or search from the search bar. Make sure you don’t use the Auto-connect feature in NordVPN as this may not choose one of the above servers. When you find a server which works well and streams quickly add it to your favourites so you can select it quickly next time.

How to Watch BBC iPlayer in Belgium – FAQ ?

There are a couple of ways to watch BBC iPlayer in Belgium. You can use the VPN or Proxy servers, which allows you to unblock and stream your favorite content from anywhere. You can also use a Smart DNS service, which allows you to watch BBC iPlayer in Belgium by changing your IP address.

BBC iPlayer Account on Your Device

You may have noticed that most large media sites now want you to create a user account before using them. The BBC is no different and you must create and use a BBC account before streaming programmes. But don’t worry, you only have to create an account once and it’s mainly used to keep track of what you’ve viewed.

Make sure you connect to your chosen VPN provider and select a UK server before registering an account. You will be asked a series of question but it only takes a couple of minutes.

• Age – You’ll be asked your age to ensure you are only shown appropriate content.
• Email – You’ll need an email address, anyone will do as long as you can access it.
• Postcode – You’ll need a valid UK postcode. You don’t need to live there ! Any valid postcode/Zip code will do, there’s no checks.
• UK TV License – You’ll be asked if you have a valid UK TV license. You must answer ‘YES’ to this question or you can’t use the site properly. There is no check or validation.

Does a VPN Affect Speed on My Computer/Phone/Streaming Device

It certainly does, using a VPN is basically adding an extra hop into your network. All data is funnelled through the VPN server before being forwarded to it’s final destination. So a slow VPN server or slow connection will definitely slow down your overall internet speed.

Slow connection speeds can make streaming live content very frustrating. It’s especially important if you’re streaming content in high definition as this takes lots of bandwidth, Fortunately most good VPN services are generally very fast and will have little impact on your overall speed. It’s important to check though – slow speeds mean buffering and lag.

How to Watch BBC in Belgium with a TV License?

Even if you’ve got a UK TV license, this doesn’t help you a lot.  Many travellers and ex-pats who live partly in the UK get understanderbly frustrated that they’re blocked from accessing the BBC while in Belgium despite paying around £160 a year for a TV license.  Before Brexit there was some hope as part of the EUs digital marketplace initiatives which directed that any service bought in the EU should be available across the community.   Unfortunately, this option disappeared when the UK exited the EU.  Most travellers use a VPN to access when abroad like everyone else!

Is Using a Virtual Private Network Illegal ?

No this is completely untrue at least for most of the world. Most large companies install VPN clients on their laptops and tablets by default as it provides a layer of security when using them if travelling. Many of us have used VPNs for decades to keep our data private. The only places that have a problem with issues are places like China, Turkey and Russia where internet access is controlled and manipulated. Even in these countries millions of people still use VPNs but obviously there’s a bigger risk.

Is Changing Your IP address Illegal ?

Absolutely not, see above. Sometimes your IP address will change automatically anyway without your knowledge if it’s lease expires.

Can I Change My Netflix region with a VPN ?

Yes technically you can, as Netflix has global accounts which switch depending on your location. In practice this is not always reliable as Netflix are pretty good at detecting VPN IP addresses. At the moment it seems to work switching to the US version of Netflix on NordVPN for example, this could change at any moment though.

Is there a Free VPN BBC iPlayer Works with ?

Unfortunately all the free VPNs and proxies have been blocked by the BBC and haven’t worked for some time. They’re also too slow for streaming live media anyway, although they used to be ok for downloading and watching offline.

Can I Watch Shows from Another Country e.g. Canada ?

Potentially yes, as long as your chosen VPN has a server in that country. Switching to another server will change your visible IP address to match that country too. Be careful though as many media companies including several of the major Canadian ones ask for a cable provider account or subscription too. Just changing your IP address won’t be enough in this circumstance.

Any Information on CyberGhost and ExpressVPN ?

Unfortunately these are two fine VPNs I no longer use anymore. They were blocked by the BBC and ITV Hub so I cancelled my subscriptions. This might not be the case now, so it might be worth checking if you’re keen on using them.

BBC iPlayer Belgium – Creating an Account without a UK Address?

When you create a BBC iPlayer account you’ll be asked for a UK postcode.  This is to check you’re located in the United Kingdom.  Fortunately this is not a problem as any valid UK postcode will work! You can literally input anything as long as it exists, my friend used the postcode of Manchester City’s Football stadium.  Just look anything British up online and use their postal code, there’s no check.

How to Download the BBC iPlayer App in Belgium?

Unfortunately, the BBC iPlayer app is only available in the UK due to broadcasting rights. However, if you are in Belgium and want to download the app, you would need to use a VPN (Virtual Private Network). Here’s how you can do it:

1. Download a VPN: There are several VPNs available to download online. Some of the most common ones include NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and CyberGhost. Choose one that’s right for you and install it on your device.

2. Connect to a UK server: Once you’ve installed your VPN, you’ll need to connect to a server in the UK. This will make it appear as though your device is in the UK, allowing you to download apps that are only available in that country.

3. Create a new Google or Apple account: Since your existing account is tied to your location, you’ll need to create a new one. Ensure you set your location to the UK.

4. Download the BBC iPlayer app: Now that you’re connected to a UK server and have a UK Google or Apple account, you should be able to download the BBC iPlayer app from Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

5. Sign in or Register: You have to create a BBC account if you don’t have one. Remember to use a UK postcode.

Please note that this method can violate the terms of service of the BBC iPlayer, and there’s a risk that BBC could block the VPN at any time. Also, some VPN services require a subscription.