How to Watch BBC iPlayer in Spain [2023 Guide]
You must be wondering, “Can you watch BBC iPlayer in Spain? Yes, the good news is you can watch BBC iPlayer with the help of a quality VPN service like ExpressVPN.
This blog will guide you on how to watch BBC iPlayer in Spain in 2023 as the streaming platform is geo-restricted in Spain. Therefore, prepare to start a fantastic journey through BBC iPlayer, a streaming service that stands out as one of the best.
Explore an ocean of limitless entertainment, including the best TV shows, movies, documentaries, and more. Discover the hidden gems that have won the hearts of millions, such as “Beck,” a gripping crime drama, and “Fleabag,” a brilliant comedy that is impossible to resist. Enjoy “Mum’s” tender moments and allow yourself to be moved to tears and laughter.
So without further ado, let’s get started with how to access BBC iPlayer in Spain:
How to Watch BBC iPlayer in Spain? (5 Quick Steps]
Here are the 5 quick steps that will guide you on how to watch BBC iPlayer in Spain for free.
- Subscribe to a quality VPN service like ExpressVPN.
- Download and install the VPN app.
- Login to the VPN using your credentials.
- Connect to a UK-based server (preferably Docklands).
- Go to the BBC iPlayer website, sign-up for an account or sign in and enjoy streaming.
Note: You must sign up for BBC iPlayer account to access it in Spain. If you are fretting over how to sign up for BBC iPlayer, the steps are explained later in the guide!
Why Do You Need a VPN to Watch BBC iPlayer in Spain?
The reason you need a VPN to watch BBC iPlayer in Spain is because BBC iPlayer is geo-blocked and unavailable in Spain. BBC iPlayer uses geo-blocking measures to follow content licensing agreements and regional broadcasting rights.
Can you watch BBC iPlayer without VPN? No. If you try to access BBC iPlayer from in Spain without a VPN, you will see an error message indicating that the service is unavailable in your region.
By connecting to a VPN server in the UK, your actual IP address will be hidden and replaced by the server’s IP address. By temporarily changing your IP address, BBC iPlayer will think you are connecting from within the United Kingdom, allowing you to circumvent regional restrictions.
How to Sign Up for BBC iPlayer Account in Spain?
BBC iPlayer is a free streaming platform. However, to access it, you must have a BBC iPlayer account. The steps below will guide you in registering for a free BBC iPlayer account.
- Subscribe to a quality VPN service like ExpressVPN.
- Download and install the VPN app.
- Login to the VPN using your credentials.
- Connect to a UK-based server (preferably Docklands).
- Visit the official BBC iPlayer website and sign in.
- Under “Don’t have an account,” Click on “Register Now.”
- Select your age category, Under or Over 16.
- Enter your date of birth.
- Provide your personal information, including your Email address, and enter a UK postal code. Note that you can find random UK postal codes online.
- Once you have entered all the required details, click “Register.”
- You will receive a prompt asking if you have a valid UK TV license. Simply click “Yes” and proceed.
Do you pay for BBC iPlayer? No, the service is free! Play BBC iPlayer content without paying a penny!
What Is the Best VPN to Watch BBC iPlayer in Spain?
Can I use a VPN to watch BBC iPlayer? Yes, you can, and it can be challenging to know which virtual private network (VPN) works with BBC iPlayer, among the many claiming to be the best. To assist you in making an informed choice, here is a brief comparison of the top VPN services compatible with BBC iPlayer.
ExpressVPN – The Fastest VPN to Watch BBC iPlayer.
Surfshark – Budget-Friendly VPN to get BBC iPlayer.
NordVPN – Largest Server Network to Stream BBC iPlayer.
PureVPN – Secure VPN for BBC iPlayer.
1. ExpressVPN – The Fastest VPN to Watch BBC iPlayer in Spain
ExpressVPN is the fastest VPN to watch BBC iPlayer in Spain, offering super-fast servers with a download speed of 89.42 Mbps!
ExpressVPN stands out because it has an impressive network of over 3000 servers in 105 countries. ExpressVPN places some of its many servers in key areas of the UK, such as Docklands, East London, Midlands, and London.
This extensive server network ensures that users can connect to BBC iPlayer and other online content quickly and reliably from anywhere in the world.
On devices incompatible with VPN apps, ExpressVPN introduces a smart DNS tool, MediaStreamer. This tool allows users to access BBC iPlayer and other geo-restricted platforms on devices incompatible with VPN apps, such as Smart TVs, Roku, etc. Therefore, allowing you to enjoy your favorite content of BBC Bitesize on a big screen.
ExpressVPN uses AES-256 encryption, widely regarded as the gold standard for online security, to protect user data during transit over its secure network. By using a private DNS service, you can rest assured that your DNS queries cannot be intercepted or tampered with.
When tested on a 100Mbps connection, ExpressVPN’s servers provided us with a fast download speed of 89.42 Mbps and an upload speed of 84.64 Mbps. Fast enough to ensure a seamless streaming experience.
With ExpressVPN’s Kill Switch feature, your data will remain secure even if the VPN connection drops. The feature halts internet traffic immediately to prevent any possible data leaks or exposure.
ExpressVPN allows you to connect up to five devices at once, making it ideal for use with multiple computers, smartphones, and even routers. It works with various systems, including Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, and Linux, making it accessible from various devices.
You only need one subscription to access geo-blocked content on services like ITV, Freeview Play, etc.
If you sign up for ExpressVPN’s 12-month plan, you will get three extra months free of charge, for a total savings of 49% and a monthly rate of just EUR 6.17 /mo (US$ 6.67 /mo ) (Black Friday Deal: Grab 3 Free Months + 49% OFF 12-Month Plan). Additionally, you will gain access to their 24/7 customer service and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
So if you are wondering, Can I watch BBC iPlayer in Spain for free? Yes, you can, but you will need ExpressVPN!
2. Surfshark – Budget-Friendly VPN to get BBC iPlayer in Spain
If you are searching for a budget-friendly VPN to watch BBC iPlayer in Spain, look no further than Surfshark. If you sign up for Surfshark’s yearly plan, you can save 76% off the monthly price, bringing the total cost to just EUR 2.3 /mo (US$ 2.49 /mo ) (Get 84% + 2 Months FREE on 2-Year Plan). The plan has a 30-day money-back guarantee and 24/7 live chat support.
Over 3200 servers in 100 countries are among Surfshark’s many impressive features.
If you are trying to access BBC iPlayer from in Spain, you must establish a connection with a server in the UK. Surfshark makes it easy by providing access to servers in four British cities: London, Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Manchester. Allowing its users to access BBC iPlayer in Spain.
Is your streaming device incompatible with VPN apps? If so, don’t worry because Surfshark has a Smart DNS feature that allows users to access geo-restricted platforms on devices incompatible with VPN apps.
You can switch your device’s Domain Name System (DNS) addresses to those of Surfshark’s UK-based DNS servers. Allowing you to bypass the geo-restrictions imposed by BBC iPlayer.
The servers used by Surfshark have several layers of protection in place to prevent unauthorized access to user data. These include the highly secure AES-256 military-grade encryption standard, which various organizations, including the military, use.
In addition, Surfshark offers Private DNS and leak protection, which prevent DNS leaks that might expose your online activities.
You can safeguard numerous devices at once with Surfshark’s unlimited device connectivity. This implies that there are no limitations on using Surfshark across all of your family’s devices.
Surfshark allows you to protect and secure as many devices as you need simultaneously, whether smartphones, tablets, laptops, or any compatible device. You can feel safe conducting business online from any device in your home with the help of this feature.
Surfshark is compatible with operating systems like Windows, iOS, Linux, Android, Chromebook, etc.
The servers are extremely fast, with a download speed of 81.32 Mbps and an upload speed of 76.12 Mbps while connected to a London server. Ensuring a buffer-free streaming experience.
With a single subscription, you can unblock other geo-restricted platforms such as Channel 5 in Spain, Channel 4 in Spain, ITV, Sky, etc.
3. NordVPN – Largest Server Network to Stream BBC iPlayer in Spain
NordVPN has the largest server network to unblock BBC iPlayer in Spain. NordVPN has more than 5600 servers in 59 countries.
Connecting to a UK-based VPN server is required to access BBC iPlayer in Spain. NordVPN generously provides over 440 servers in the UK, allowing users to access BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world. The recommended servers are those in London and Glasgow.
NordVPN has a SmartDNS tool known as SmartPlay. This feature comes into play on devices that are incompatible with VPN apps. This technology allows you to access geo-restricted platforms such as BBC iPlayer on your Smart TV in Spain.
NordVPN’s servers are equipped with strong security measures to safeguard your anonymity. AES 256-bit encryption is one of these features, making it challenging for your ISP, the government, and streaming services to determine your IP address.
They also provide a Kill Switch feature and a Dark Web Monitor to improve your online security further. These safeguards are put in place to protect your identity and give you a safe browsing experience.
Because of NordVPN’s broad device support, you can use it to protect your data on any of your preferred gadgets. Devices such as Chromecast, Chromebooks, Windows PCs, Macs, Smart TVs, iOS and Android mobile devices, Roku, and more are all compatible.
This ensures that you can always protect your online privacy and security no matter what device you use by using NordVPN’s services.
On a 100 Mbps connection, NordVPN was able to measure a download speed of 83.82 Mbps and an upload speed of 44.64 Mbps. This speed is more than enough to stream BBC iPlayer without any hiccups.
With just a single NordVPN subscription, you can simultaneously connect 6 devices at once. You can get NordVPN for only EUR 3.69 /mo (US$ 3.99 /mo ) (Get 57% Off + 3 Months FREE on 2-Year Plan) (Save 66% and get a 30-day money-back guarantee and 24/7 customer care support).
Once subscribed, you will unblock other geo-restricted platforms, including ITV, NOW, etc.
4. PureVPN – Secure VPN for BBC iPlayer
Do you want to watch BBC iPlayer in Spain without feeling insecure? If so, then you should get PureVPN. With PureVPN, you can enjoy advanced security and privacy features that provide top-notch protection.
These features include Split Tunneling, DNS Leak Prevention, and support for protocols such as IKEv2 and WireGuard. Utilizing these robust privacy measures allows you to easily and reliably access and unblock BBC iPlayer in Spain.
PureVPN has a large number of servers, which gives it a wide range of coverage and availability. PureVPN gives users a wide range of server options, with over 6500 servers in 78 countries.
This extensive server network enables better performance, faster connections, and the ability to access geo-restricted content from around the globe.
PureVPN has many VPN servers in the UK, covering four cities. These cities have over 160 VPN servers, making it easy to access BBC iPlayer seamlessly with PureVPN. The recommended servers are Manchester and London.
In addition, it has a Smart DNS feature that sends a user’s DNS requests to servers in different parts of the world that are part of their network. This process makes it look like the user is accessing the internet from the location of the server they are connected to rather than where they actually are.
PureVPN has robust security features, and each of its servers also has a “Kill Switch” feature. The Kill Switch feature is meant to make users safer by automatically cutting off their internet connection or blocking access to the internet for certain apps if their VPN connection drops.
This keeps any data that is not encrypted from being sent over the regular internet connection.
During the speed test, we measured the download and upload speeds to be 74.12 Mbps and 38.48 Mbps, respectively—enough to stream HD content without buffering issues.
With a single subscription, you can connect up to 10 devices simultaneously. You can get Pure VPN by subscribing to one of its available plans. The best plan is a 2-year plan for EUR 1.84 /mo (US$ 1.99 /mo ) 70% Discount (Get 75% off and 3 extra months free and a 31-day money-back guarantee.
How to Choose the Best VPN for BBC iPlayer in Spain?
Because there are instances in which BBC iPlayer may not function properly with certain VPNs, the following considerations are essential when choosing a VPN service for streaming BBC iPlayer. Therefore, before deciding on a VPN connection, it is important to consider the following.
VPN Protocols: Confirm that the VPN service supports OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard; these protocols are well-known for their high levels of encryption and capacity to get around geographical restrictions.
Compatibility: Check the VPN’s compatibility with the devices you plan to stream BBC iPlayer before signing up for a subscription.
Server Network: Try to find a VPN service that offers access to a number of different servers, including those in the United Kingdom. This ensures better chances of accessing BBC iPlayer and bypassing any regional restrictions.
Speed and Performance: A high-quality streaming connection is essential. If you want to watch BBC iPlayer without interruptions, you should use a VPN that has fast servers and consistent performance.
Pricing: As with any subscription, cost is a major consideration when shopping for a service.
What Are the Different BBC Channels Available?
The BBC iPlayer has many channels, each offering a different selection of shows. If you are traveling in Spain and want to watch these shows, connecting to ExpressVPN’s UK server is the way to go. Here are the BBC Channels.
CBBC | BBC ONE |
BBC TWO | BBC THREE |
BBC FOUR | CBeebies |
SCOTLAND | NEWS |
BBC EARTH | BBC ENTERTAINMENT |
What to Watch on BBC iPlayer in 2023?
You are in luck if you seek guidance on what to watch on BBC iPlayer. It accommodates a wide range of interests and preferences by offering a wide range of content.
BBC iPlayer has something for everyone, whether you like exciting dramas, comedies, interesting documentaries, exciting sports events, educational shows, or even live broadcasts. Here are some of the content worth watching in 2023, starting with the best shows.
Best BBC iPlayer Shows
Here are the best shows worth watching in 2023 on BBC iPlayer.
Hey Duggee | Mandy |
Sorry To Bother You | Sandaylands |
Ballers Ball or Nothing | Helping Our Teens |
House of Games | Mastermind |
Celebrity Race Across the World | Silverpoint |
The Royle Family | Louis Theroux |
Best BBC iPlayer Movies
Below are the best BBC iPlayer movies that will keep you on the edge.
The Snail and the Whale | Zog |
The Gruffalo | The Happy Prince |
The Heat | Florence Nightingale: Nursing Pioneer |
Stick Man | Bridge of Spies |
Live BBC iPlayer Sports
If you are a sports enthusiast, here are some live sports events on BBC iPlayer worth watching.
Wimbledon 2023 | The Ashes 2023 |
Super League Show | UK Athletics Championships 2023 |
How to Win the Ashes | Women’s T20 Cricket |
What’s New to Watch on BBC iPlayer in October 2023?
Looking for something new to watch on BBC iPlayer? Here are a few you shouldn’t miss out on.
The TikTok Effect | Our Girl |
Boiling Point | Robbin Hood |
On Which Devices Can I Watch BBC iPlayer?
BBC iPlayer is compatible with a wide range of devices, including
Note: So, how many devices can watch BBC iPlayer? The number of devices that can access BBC iPlayer simultaneously, is a maximum of five devices that can stream content from BBC iPlayer at the same time.
How to Get BBC iPlayer in Spain on Mobile Device?
BBC iPlayer can be used on various devices, including mobile phones and tablets. This feature allows users to access and enjoy the content available on BBC iPlayer while on the go.
However, getting BBC iPlayer in Spain on mobile devices can be challenging. The reason we’ll guide you on how to get BBC iPlayer on Android and iOS devices.
Can you get BBC iPlayer on Android?
Yes, Below are the steps to guide you on getting BBC iPlayer on an Android device.
- Subscribe to a quality VPN like ExpressVPN.
- Download and install the VPN app.
- Login to the VPN using your credentials.
- Connect to a UK server (Recommended: Docklands)
- Go to Google Settings, and adjust the location to the UK.
- Go to the Google Play Store and create a new email address.
- Search for BBC iPlayer app on the Google Play store, and download the app.
- Sign up and enjoy streaming BBC iPlayer on your Android device.
How do I get BBC iPlayer on iOS?
Here is how to get BBC iPlayer in Spain on an iOS device.
- Join a premium VPN service like ExpressVPN.
- Download and install VPN on your mobile device.
- Connect to a UK server (Recommended: Docklands).
- Search for BCC iPlayer App on Apple Store.
- Click “Install” to download the BBC iPlayer app to your device.
- Sign in and stream BBC iPlayer content in Spain on an iOS device.
What to Do If Your VPN Does Not Work with iPlayer
Why is BBC iPlayer not working with VPN? BBC iPlayer might fail to work with a VPN, considering how the platform has invested heavily to prevent users in Spain from accessing its content. The advanced geo-blocking tools can detect and block servers deemed to be coming from a VPN.
Below are some of the reasons why BBC iPlayer might fail to work on BBC iPlayer.
The BBC has blacklisted the servers of the VPN– To solve this issue, consider switching to a different server.
The GPS location and IP address location of your device do not match up.- Instead of using a mobile device, try watching on a desktop PC. This prevents GPS location data from being linked to your IP address.
BBC iPlayer has put a cookie on your device that tells it you are not in the UK– To solve this issue, clear your cookies or use a different browser.
Your real IP address is being exposed– Turn on leak protection in your VPN’s settings to stop BBC iPlayer from finding out your real location.
Server issues– To access geo-restricted content, you may need to contact your VPN provider and inquire which server you should connect to.
FAQs: BBC iPlayer in Spain
What is the fastest VPN for BBC iPlayer?
Can I access BBC iPlayer with a Free VPN Service?
Can iPlayer detect VPN?
Can I watch BBC iPlayer in Spain If I download?
How do I get BBC UK website in Spain?
Is watching BBC iPlayer with a VPN Illegal?
Final Thoughts
Enjoy a vast selection of British TV shows, movies, and live sports with BBC iPlayer. This online platform offers an exciting range of content across various genres, providing the ultimate British entertainment experience right on your screen.
We recommend using ExpressVPN as it is the only way to watch BBC iPlayer in Spain. A VPN lets you get around geographical restrictions and connect to BBC iPlayer securely from anywhere in the world. It does this by hiding your IP address and encrypting your online traffic.