How to Access Your Streaming Services While Traveling Abroad
Planning a trip? Here's everything you need to know about what happens to your streaming subscriptions when you cross borders.
📋 Key Takeaways
- Your streaming apps will work abroad, but the content library changes based on your location
- Downloaded content remains accessible regardless of where you travel
- EU travelers have special protections that maintain their home library temporarily
You've landed in a new country, settled into your hotel room, and opened Netflix for some familiar comfort viewing—only to find that your favorite show is nowhere to be found. Sound familiar?
This is the reality of geo-restrictions in streaming. Content licensing is incredibly complex, with rights sold separately for each country. Let's break down what this means for travelers and how you can prepare.
How Geo-Restrictions Work
When you connect to a streaming service, it detects your location through your IP address. Based on this location, you're shown the content library licensed for that specific country.
Example Scenario
"The Office" (US version) is on Netflix in the US, but in the UK, it's not available on Netflix at all—it's on a different service entirely. So if you're a US subscriber visiting London, you won't see it in your Netflix library.
This isn't Netflix being difficult—they literally don't have the rights to show you that content in the UK, even though you pay for a US subscription.
What Changes When You Travel
📚 Content Library
The biggest change. You'll see the destination country's library, not your home library. Some titles disappear, but you might also discover new content not available at home!
🗣️ Language & Subtitles
Default language settings may change. Content might default to local language audio, though English options are usually available.
💰 Pricing
Your subscription price stays the same—you're still billed in your home currency. However, if you cancel and resubscribe abroad, you might get local pricing.
✅ What Stays the Same
Your account, watchlist, viewing history, and profiles all remain intact. Downloaded content also stays accessible offline.
Service-by-Service Breakdown
Netflix
Switches to local library immediately. Available in 190+ countries, so you'll almost always have access—just to different content.
💡 Tip: Download your must-watch shows before you leave. Downloads work offline regardless of location.
Disney+
Similar to Netflix—you'll see the local library. Core Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars content is usually consistent globally.
💡 Tip: Disney+ has more consistent libraries across regions than most services.
Amazon Prime Video
Available in 200+ countries but libraries vary significantly. Amazon Originals are usually consistent; licensed content varies widely.
💡 Tip: Prime Video has one of the widest global reaches if you need something available everywhere.
HBO Max
More limited availability—mainly Americas and parts of Europe. If traveling to Asia or Africa, you may not have access at all.
⚠️ Check availability before relying on HBO Max abroad.
Apple TV+
Available in 100+ countries with a relatively consistent library since it's all original content.
💡 Tip: Apple TV+ originals are usually available globally, making it reliable for travel.
🇪🇺 Special Rules for EU Travelers
If you're an EU resident traveling within the European Union, you're protected by EU Portability Regulation. This means streaming services must provide access to your home country's content library while temporarily traveling in other EU countries.
- • Applies to EU/EEA residents only
- • Valid for "temporary" stays (typically up to a few months)
- • Services may verify your residence periodically
- • Does not apply when traveling outside the EU
How to Prepare Before Your Trip
Download Content
Most streaming apps allow downloads. Save your must-watch content before leaving—it'll be available offline regardless of your location.
Check Destination Availability
Use CineMap to see what's available in your destination country. You might discover great local content too!
Consider Your Internet
Hotel WiFi can be slow. If streaming quality matters, downloads are your friend. Also consider your mobile data plan for roaming charges.
Embrace Local Content
Different library? Different opportunity! Use your trip to explore shows and films from your destination country—it's part of the cultural experience.
A Note on VPNs
While VPNs are commonly discussed as a workaround for geo-restrictions, using them to access content from other regions typically violates streaming services' terms of service. Services actively detect and block VPN usage, and accounts could be suspended. This guide focuses on legitimate ways to enjoy streaming while traveling.
The Bottom Line
Traveling doesn't mean losing access to streaming—it just means adapting to different content libraries. With a little preparation (downloading favorites, checking availability, embracing local content), you can enjoy great entertainment anywhere in the world.
Use CineMap to explore what's streaming in any country and make the most of your travels!