Watch ZDF Livestream abroad – here’s how

This guide shows you how to watch ZDF Livestream abroad. This is possible in a roundabout way – but within the EU you can receive ZDF quite easily with some providers.

ZDF abroad: Receive Livestream

You can also watch many programmes on ZDF abroad via livestream. However, sporting events, films or other content are sometimes only available to viewers in Germany. This is because ZDF only owns the national and not the international broadcasting rights.

• ZDF checks the geo-position of the viewer via the IP address and denies access if necessary. This block can be circumvented with a proxy. For example, use FoxyProxy for Chrome or Firefox. Be sure to read our overview of the legal situation regarding proxy blocks.

• Alternatively, you can use a VPN tool such as CyberGhost VPN or hide.me.

• Be aware that you must connect to the Internet via a German proxy server in order to receive the ZDF Livestream. However, the proxy connection may result in a loss of speed, so that the stream is not played smoothly.

According to an EU regulation, geo-locking is no longer permitted within the European Union. However, this only applies to paid services. Via services such as Zattoo or waipu.tv you can watch all ZDF content even abroad, provided you pay for the service. Tip: This also applies to the free trial month.

Watching ZDF abroad: Is it legal?

Generally, it is not allowed to bypass the proxy block.

• Because ZDF owns the rights for film and sports broadcasts mostly for the German market only, the broadcaster is obliged to set up this block.

• If you circumvent the block anyway, you are unlikely to face any consequences. Since it is only streaming and not downloading the content, the process is considered legal by most lawyers.

• In addition, there is no institution that investigates and reports such violations. Neither the police, nor the ZDF, nor the rights holders are interested in such investigations. This is mainly because such infringements are virtually impossible to prove and would therefore be difficult to prove in court.

• Dangers lurk, however, when using proxy and VPN providers. Make sure that you only use reputable offers.