In this guide
This is a practical guide to TV, streaming and entertainment in the Netherlands for expats: what is available, where prices are published, and what the services’ own terms say about VPNs.
💡 Looking for a complete banking comparison? Read Best banking for expats in the Netherlands 2026, which covers ABN, ING, bunq, Wise, Revolut and others by expat use case.
The Dutch streaming landscape
The Netherlands has international platforms (Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, HBO Max) and local ones (Videoland, NPO Start, Ziggo Sport). Small language areas such as the Netherlands usually subtitle foreign programmes instead of dubbing them, and keep dubbing mostly for children’s productions (Wikipedia, Nasynchronisatie), so English-language content is normally shown in English with Dutch subtitles.
The practical issue for incoming expats is geo-restriction. Content you subscribed to at home may not be available in the Netherlands. The first thing to sort out is which services work with a Dutch account.
International streaming platforms
Netflix
Netflix is available in the Netherlands and you can log in with your existing account. Netflix says the content available varies by geographic location, because of law and the rights its content providers grant.
If you miss titles from the US or UK library: Netflix’s terms say you may access its content primarily within the country where you established your account, and its help centre says that with a VPN you may only be shown titles Netflix has worldwide licensing for. A VPN is therefore not a way to get another country’s library.
Disney+
Disney+ shows these prices on its Dutch site on 6 October 2026: Standaard met reclame from €5.99 a month (€6.99 after the first six months), Standaard from €8.99 (€10.99 after six months) and Premium from €11.99 (€15.99 after six months). The introductory prices apply for a minimum period, so read the conditions on disneyplus.com/nl-nl before you subscribe.
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon’s Dutch Prime page offers 30 days free, after which Prime costs €4.99 a month or €49.90 a year (amazon.nl, 6 October 2026).
HBO Max
HBO Max has a Dutch site with plans from €5.99 a month (Basic with ads). It also sells bundles with Videoland at €9.99, €17.99 and €23.99 a month, depending on the plans (max.com/nl, 6 October 2026). Check the plan details for the number of simultaneous devices and video quality.
Apple TV
Apple TV (formerly Apple TV+) is available in the Netherlands. Apple charges EUR 9.99 a month after a free 7-day trial, or gives 3 months free if you buy a new Apple device and activate the offer within 90 days (apple.com/nl, checked 5 October 2026), and describes the service as “Alleen Apple Originals” (only Apple Originals), including series such as Ted Lasso and Slow Horses.
Music streaming
Check your music service’s terms before you move, because a subscription can depend on the country where you registered.
Dutch streaming platforms
Videoland
Videoland is a Dutch streaming service. It is relevant for expats who want to learn Dutch or follow Dutch popular culture, and less so if you only want English-language content. Its catalogue is mostly Dutch-language. Check current prices and plans on videoland.com. HBO Max and Videoland sell joint bundles (see above).
NPO Start
NPO Start is the streaming platform of the Dutch public broadcaster NPO. You can sign up free of charge, and it carries news programmes such as the NOS Journaal and Nieuwsuur, documentaries and series (npostart.nl). Most content is in Dutch.
Even if you are not learning Dutch actively, following the news in Dutch is a way to start understanding the language and society.
Ziggo GO and Ziggo Sport
If you have a Ziggo subscription, Ziggo GO lets you watch television on other screens, including in the EU (Ziggo). Ziggo says Ziggo Sport channel 14 is free for Ziggo customers (see the sport section below).
Home-country streaming and VPNs: what the terms say
Most expats miss some home-country content, at least in the early months: BBC iPlayer, ITVX or local news channels. Many VPN providers suggest a VPN is the answer. The streaming services’ own terms say otherwise:
- BBC iPlayer: the BBC’s terms of use say not to stream or download iPlayer TV shows when you are outside the UK (radio shows are usually fine). They list “using a VPN service so you can watch BBC iPlayer when you’re outside the UK” as not allowed, and state: “If you don’t stick to all these terms then we can suspend or terminate your use of services and your account.”
- Netflix: its terms say you may access Netflix content “primarily within the country in which you have established your account”, and its help centre says that with a VPN “you may only be shown TV shows and movies Netflix has worldwide licensing for”. VPNs are not supported on its ad-supported plan.
Using a VPN to get around geo-blocking therefore breaks these terms, and your account can be restricted. We do not give tips for doing it anyway. For TV, see which services are available with a Dutch subscription in our comparison of streaming services for expats.
Where a VPN does help
A VPN encrypts your connection, which is useful on public Wi-Fi in hotels, trains and cafes, and keeps your browsing private from your internet provider. If you want one for that, NordVPN covers 10 devices and offers a 30-day money-back guarantee (nordvpn.com, checked 5 October 2026). Do not count on it to make a particular streaming service work.
For a full comparison, see the best VPN for expats in the Netherlands guide.
Dutch television
The Netherlands has public and commercial television. The public broadcaster NPO streams through NPO Start (see above). Dutch-language programmes do not always come with English subtitles, so check the subtitle options of each programme.
Dutch subtitles as a learning tool
Turning on Dutch subtitles for English-language content on a streaming service is a low-effort way to see Dutch words in context while you follow audio you already understand. For active learning, see the best apps for learning Dutch in 2026. If you are considering a formal Dutch course, the best Dutch language courses guide covers classroom and online options.
Sports streaming in the Netherlands
Ziggo Sport
Ziggo says Ziggo Sport channel 14 is free for Ziggo customers. It shows UEFA Champions League, Europa League and Conference League, LaLiga and Serie A, plus tennis, golf and racing such as NASCAR, IndyCar and MotoGP. The channel is also available through Ziggo GO. Ziggo sells packages on top: Ziggo Sport Totaal (€16.95 a month, six sports channels), ESPN Premium (€9.95 a month, four sports channels with Eredivisie and international football) and Sport Compleet (€18.95 a month, ten sports channels) (ziggo.nl, 6 October 2026). Other providers may charge differently, so check which package carries the competition you follow.
Formula 1
Ziggo’s sport page names Formula 1 as “Formula 1 van Viaplay”: live Formula 1 is on Viaplay, while Ziggo Sport channel 14 carries the Race Cafe talk show on Friday evenings. Check Viaplay for the current subscription.
Eredivisie
Ziggo lists Eredivisie football in its ESPN Premium and Ziggo Sport Totaal packages (see above). Other providers also sell ESPN; check your own provider’s channel list.
If you follow a home-country league, such as the Premier League, check which Dutch broadcaster or service has the rights here; our comparison of streaming services covers football and Formula 1.
Dutch news in English
DutchNews.nl and NL Times publish Dutch news in English. For finding expat communities, see the guide to best expat Facebook groups in the Netherlands.
Internet and data for streaming
Streaming quality depends on your connection. Compare providers such as Ziggo, KPN and Odido for speeds at your address. For mobile data, see the best SIM cards for expats in the Netherlands.
Summary: your streaming setup as a Netherlands expat
Start here (free or included):
- NPO Start: free sign-up for Dutch public TV
- Your existing Netflix account: log in from the Netherlands, but expect a different library
Add based on taste:
- Disney+, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video or Apple TV, depending on what you watch; compare the current prices above
- Videoland, for Dutch-language series and reality TV. For families moving to the Netherlands, see the expat family guide for broader settling-in advice
For sports:
- Ziggo Sport channel 14 if you are a Ziggo customer, and the Ziggo sports packages for more
- Viaplay for Formula 1
For privacy on public Wi-Fi (optional):
- A VPN such as NordVPN, for encryption on networks you do not control, not for getting around geo-blocking
For more on integrating into Dutch society, see the guide to making friends in the Netherlands as an expat. For the complete guide to internet providers, see best internet providers for expats in the Netherlands.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Netflix different in the Netherlands than the US or UK?
Yes. Netflix says the content available varies by geographic location, because of law and the rights its content providers grant. Its terms say you may access Netflix content primarily within the country where you established your account, and its help centre says that with a VPN you may only see titles Netflix licenses worldwide. Using a VPN to reach another country's library is therefore not a reliable option, and we do not recommend it.
Can I watch BBC iPlayer from the Netherlands?
No. The BBC's terms of use say you should not stream or download iPlayer TV shows when you are outside the UK (radio shows are usually fine), and they explicitly list "using a VPN service so you can watch BBC iPlayer when you're outside the UK" as not allowed. The BBC says it can suspend or terminate your account if you break its terms.
What is NPO Start?
NPO Start is the streaming platform of the Dutch public broadcaster NPO. You can sign up free of charge ("Gratis aanmelden" on npostart.nl), and it carries news such as the NOS Journaal and Nieuwsuur plus documentaries and series, mostly in Dutch.
Can I use a VPN to watch my home country streaming services from the Netherlands?
We advise against it. Services such as Netflix and BBC iPlayer limit viewing to the country of your account or to the UK in their terms. The BBC explicitly forbids using a VPN to watch iPlayer from outside the UK and says it can suspend or terminate your account, and Netflix says a VPN can limit what you see to titles it licenses worldwide. A VPN is useful for privacy on public Wi-Fi, not as a way around geo-blocking.
Is there English language TV in the Netherlands?
Small language areas such as the Netherlands usually subtitle foreign programmes rather than dub them, and keep dubbing mostly for children's productions. So English-language films and series are normally shown in English with Dutch subtitles. Which audio and subtitle languages a streaming title offers differs per service and title.
What sports streaming is available in the Netherlands?
Ziggo says its Ziggo Sport channel 14 is free for Ziggo customers and shows, among other things, UEFA Champions League, Europa League and Conference League, LaLiga, Serie A, tennis, golf and racing. Ziggo sells Ziggo Sport Totaal (€16.95 a month), ESPN Premium (€9.95 a month, Eredivisie and international football) and Sport Compleet (€18.95 a month) on top (ziggo.nl, 6 October 2026). Formula 1 is shown by Viaplay.