How to Get a UK IP Address in 2024

The quickest way to get a UK IP address is to use a VPN app and connect to a server in the United Kingdom. This will mask your actual IP address and help circumvent geo-restrictions if you wish to access content only available in the UK (like BBC iPlayer or ITVX, for example). 

You should ideally select a VPN that offers multiple server locations in the UK. Aim to pick a server closest to your location for the fastest possible connection speed and lowest latency. This is particularly important when you’re using a VPN to stream movies or play games, both of which are high-bandwidth activities.

If you want to know how to change your IP address, we created an excellent resource for you. In this guide, we’ll discuss why you might need a UK IP in more detail and walk you through the process of obtaining one. We’ll also talk about the best VPNs for the job and show you how to choose the one that will meet your specific needs.

So, without further ado, let’s get started.

How to Get a UK IP Address from Anywhere

To obtain a British IP address, you need to connect to a VPN server in the United Kingdom. Don't worry, as this is a straightforward procedure. Here's how it's done:

1. Sign up for a VPN with plenty of UK servers (we recommend ExpressVPN)
2. Download and install the VPN on your computer, phone, tablet, or any other device.
3. Launch the VPN and access its home screen using your credentials.
4. Pick a UK-based server and initialize your Web connection.
5. You now have a British IP, so feel free to access the Web. That's it!

Best VPNs to Get a UK IP Address

So, what makes the best UK VPN? Obviously, since you're after a British IP address, you need a VPN with a range of UK servers. Pick one with multiple locations across the UK, giving you a better shot at reaching faster performance. Also, based on what you plan to do, pay attention if your chosen VPN has specialized servers for privacy, streaming, or torrenting. And to make sure your purchase comes first-free, the best UK VPN must have a solid money-back policy.

Following the criteria explained above, these are the 3 best VPNs to get a UK IP address:

1. ExpressVPN - Our #1-Rated VPN for UK IP Addresses
2. NordVPN - Best for Dedicated British IPs
3. CyberGhost VPN - Best for Streaming, Gaming & Entertainment

1. ExpressVPN - Our #1-Rated VPN for UK IP Addresses

ExpressVPN is a premium VPN that has servers in 160 locations in 90+ countries. Hundreds of those (highly secure and RAM-based) servers are located in 5 different regions in the UK: Docklands, East London, London, Midlands, and Wembley.

Moreover, all these servers offer unlimited bandwidth and P2P traffic support. So, you can stream or game lag-free, as well as download large torrent files smoothly with a UK IP address. 

This VPN uses AES-256-bit encryption along with some of the most advanced protocols, such as Lightway, OpenVPN, IKEv2, and L2TP/IPsec. ExpressVPN has built the Lightway protocol from scratch that ensures not only fast connection but also impenetrable security. 

Moreover, unlike the majority of VPN services, ExpressVPN protects your DNS requests with its private DNS on every server. The best part is you don't need to change any settings for that, as ExpressVPN client apps are designed to safeguard your DNS requests automatically. 

Aside from that, ExpressVPN comes with 24/7 live chat support, answering any questions you might have in record time. Also, there's a 30-day money-back policy, so using this VPN to get a United Kingdom IP address comes free of any risks.

2. NordVPN - Best for Dedicated British IPs

NordVPN is a highly reliable VPN that you can use to get a UK IP address inside or outside the country. It has high-speed servers in a total of 60 countries. Around 440 of these servers are located in the UK across London, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Glasgow. There's even an option to obtain a dedicated UK IP, which is only yours to use.

This VPN also offers specialty servers, i.e., Double VPN, Onion over VPN, and obfuscated servers, to make sure you have an extra layer of security while bypassing geo-blocks. Moreover, the obfuscation mode is so strong that your ISP can't recognize your VPN traffic. 

However, NordVPN encrypts your online traffic with AES-256-bit keys to make it unreadable to hackers and network admin. So, you can use this VPN on the go and access the Web safely on any network. Its NordLynx, OpenVPN, and other protocols route the incoming and outgoing response through a separate tunnel before it reaches or leaves your device. 

Moreover, this VPN comes with a kill switch and IP, DNS, as well as WebRTC leak protection to keep your identifiable details masked if your VPN connection drops, irrespective of what device you're using. 

NordVPN also follows a zero-log policy and offers a 30-day money-back plan. Lastly, it comes with 24/7 live chat support so that you can resolve any technical issues in no time.

3. CyberGhost VPN - Best for Streaming, Gaming & Entertainment

CyberGhost is one of the most used VPN services, with servers in 90+ countries. All its servers are RAM-only and provide unlimited usage to every connected user.

It has close to 800 servers in 3 different locations in the UK (London, Manchester, and Berkshire). All these servers are equipped to provide you with lightning-fast speed. On top of that, CyberGhost VPN offers truly anonymous dedicated UK IP addresses on all its servers, which is a feature that comes priced extra.

Moreover, this VPN comes with an easy-to-use interface that helps beginners to get all the VPN features like an experienced user without any change in settings. The most suitable network settings are automatically assigned to your device upon establishing a connection. 

This VPN also uses AES-256-bit encryption keys and some of the most advanced protocols, including WireGuard. CyberGhost VPN also incorporates a kill switch and leak protection in its client apps.

Let's not forget to mention that CyberGhost VPN provides 24/7 live chat support, so you won't have to worry about any technical issues with your UK IP. And if you pick a long-term plan, this VPN will give you 45 days to test out its services.

What Is a UK IP Address?

A UK IP address is an IP address from a specific range that points to a location in the United Kingdom. It can come from either a British Internet provider or a data center located in the country. 

If you live in the UK, you’ll be assigned a United Kingdom IP address automatically. This gives you access to specific sites and apps only available in the UK due to geo-restrictions (such as BBC iPlayer, ITVX, STV Player, and similar). If you’re outside of the UK, you’ll need to obtain a British IP address manually.

The easiest way to get a UK IP address is to use a VPN, which will hide your actual IP address and replace it with the IP of the server in the UK location you choose.

Why Do You Need a UK IP Address?

Starting from streaming British content to playing geo-blocked games safely and bypassing the mass surveillance regime, a UK IP address enables you to do a lot of tasks when acquired through a VPN. 

Well, the United Kingdom is home to some exceptional media streaming services and reputable news publications. However, you already know that many of these don't work outside the country. Fortunately, you can watch ITV, All 4, Now TV, My5, BBC iPlayer, Sky Go, and many more with a VPN while traveling abroad. 

Moreover, if you're into sports, a reliable VPN will help you unblock BT Spots and Sky Sports from anywhere in the world by connecting through a UK IP address. And, if you’re a customer of Natwest, Barclays, HSBC, or Lloyds bank, you’ll need a UK IP to make online transactions smoothly in a foreign country. 

Even if you want a UK IP to ensure online anonymity while using public Wi-Fi hotspots or bypass ISP throttling, using a VPN will be the easiest way to get that. All premium VPN services offer multiple servers in different locations in the UK. 

What Should You Look for in a VPN to Get a UK IP?

As already mentioned, any random VPN won’t be able to provide you with a UK IP. That’s why you must select your VPN depending on the below-mentioned parameters to ensure you get exactly what you’re paying for. So take a look at the must-have features of a UK VPN. 

• Multiple UK Servers - More servers mean better reach and having more than a handful of options while getting a UK IP. So, you can easily bypass overcrowded VPN servers and get different UK IP addresses to fulfill all your requirements.
• Top-Notch Security - Your UK VPN must provide military-grade security to ensure your traffic and personal details stay hidden from snoopers on the Web. Top-performing VPN services offer AES-256-bit encryption that provides security from hackers and your ISP.
• Multiplatform Support - Most VPNs offer applications for computers. However, you might want to obtain a UK IP on your mobile device or even a media streaming device. So, ensure your chosen UK VPN covers all your devices via native software.
• Zero-Log Policy - Maintaining a strict no-log policy is important for any VPN provider. It's the only thing that ensures your privacy stays intact.
• Reliable Customer Support - Different situations may arise when using a VPN service, even though most of them should work without any input. That's why you must choose a VPN that offers 24x7 active customer support, addressing queries in no time.

How to Check if You Have a UK IP Address?

To check if you have a UK IP address, you can use an online test that checks your IP and your location. These are the steps you need to take.

1. Launch your VPN app and connect to any UK server.
2. Wait until your VPN session is established and active.
3. Now, visit IPLeak.net and give it a few moments until it reads your IP address.
4. The website should believe that you come from the UK. That's it!

Wondering how else to check if your VPN is working? Use the provided link, and you'll be taken to our in-depth guide.

Is Using a VPN to Get a UK IP Safe?

Yes, using a VPN is safe to get a UK IP. VPNs are legal in the UK as well as most other countries in the world. So, whether you want to have a UK IP inside or outside the country, a VPN is always the easiest solution and safe to use.

However, if you go for a free VPN service, it may not be considered safe enough as such service providers sell users’ data to third parties. But when you sign up with a premium VPN service like the ones mentioned here, you get complete online security, privacy, and anonymity while browsing the web with a UK IP. 

Can I Get a UK IP Address for Free? 

Yes, it’s possible to get a United Kingdom IP address for free. You can use a free VPN to get a UK IP for free, but we don’t recommend going that way. 

Most free VPNs will log your browsing history and may sell your data to third parties to generate revenue. Free VPNs also offer limited bandwidth and slow speeds. We suggest using a free trial of a premium VPN instead. 

That way, you’ll get a British IP address while benefiting from lightning-fast connections and unlimited bandwidth. If you don’t like the service, you can get a full refund within the trial period.

Final Thoughts

A UK IP can be immensely useful if you want to access geo-restricted UK content such as ITV or BBC iPlayer. Displaying a UK IP will also protect your identity so you can avoid network surveillance. Additionally, it can help you bypass ISP throttling or make UK banking transactions from a foreign country.

The easiest way to get a UK IP is by using a VPN. We recommend ExpressVPN as the best way to obtain a UK IP because it’s a powerful and fast VPN with a wide variety of UK servers. With ExpressVPN, you’ll be able to display a UK IP and access all the restricted content you’d like while keeping your true identity hidden.

That's all for our guide on how to get a UK IP address. If you have any questions or doubts, share them via the comments section below. Thank you for reading!