If you work or study abroad, sometimes all you want to do after a long day is just relax and watch your favorite local show. Unfortunately, you won’t get to do that much often. That’s because most streaming channels are inaccessible outside their designated coverage area. But that doesn’t mean you have to go to bed early. In this article, we will show you how to get a Bulgarian IP address to access all your favorite local websites from abroad.
How to Switch to a Bulgarian IP Address Using VPN
If you’re a Bulgarian expat, you may find access to certain local websites limited. Streaming channels, banking services, and sometimes news websites are all unavailable outside Bulgaria due to copyright and security reasons. Your IP address gives away your geographic location. If these web hosts see that you are not within their coverage range, they will block you.
Therefore, you need a program that can spoof your location like the VPN.
A virtual private network (VPN) uses software to reroute your internet connection to a server from another region. Then, it hides your original IP address and replaces it with a different one from the area that you selected. So if you connect to a Bulgarian server, you’ll get a Bulgarian IP address. It’s as simple as that.
Now once your web hosts see your new IP, they’ll think that you are in Bulgaria, which means that they will grant you access to their content.
Wondering how to get a VPN? Just follow these steps:
- Choose a good VPN provider like ExpressVPN and sign up.
- Download and install the app on your device.
- Sign in and connect to a server from Bulgaria.
- Visit WhatIsMyIP.network to make sure you’re using a new IP address.
- Gain access to Bulgarian online content from anywhere.
What Are the Best VPNs to Get a Bulgarian IP?
The market is full of VPN providers that vary in terms of quality. This is no surprise considering the rise of cyber threats over the past decade. That is why you have to carefully choose which brand you want to use.
We recommend you go for the top-ranked names in the market like:
- 30-Day Money-back Guarantee
- Unlimited Bandwidth
- Apps For All Your Devices
- 24/7 Live Support
ExpressVPN
I personally use ExpressVPN whenever I’m abroad, not just for switching IP addresses, but for a host of other features as well like:
- AES 256-bit encryption: A military-grade encryption that allows you to surf the internet anonymously. No one will be able to monitor your data, not even your ISP.
- Large, speedy server network: The company has over 1,000 servers in 160 different locations, including 94 countries. That’s one of the largest networks in the business. Also, its servers are very fast despite the strong encryption protocol ExpressVPN uses, which means you shouldn’t encounter any buffering problems when streaming live HD programs
- Security features: In addition to the AES 256-bit encryption, which is the strongest in the market, the company provides split tunneling, DNS leak protection, and a kill switch.
- No-logging policy: ExpressVPN does not keep or store traffic, so no one can trace anything back to you. The company states: “We never keep traffic logs, and we also don’t keep any logs that might enable someone to match an IP and timestamp back to a user. We work entirely on the basis of shared IPs, meaning that a single IP does not track back to an individual user.”
- Full Netflix compatibility: Very few brands still have access to every Netflix library. ExpressVPN is one of them. You can even use it to watch US Netflix.
- Torrenting and P2P allowance: You can enjoy full P2P file-sharing activity, from movies and series to albums and songs.
IPVanish
You could also try IPVanish, which also sits high on our list of top VPNs. Just like ExpressVPN, it has AES 256-bit encryption and a no-logging policy.
Also, the company has a large network of servers, with over 1,200 servers in 60 countries, most of which are in the US and Europe. Though it has slightly more servers than ExpressVPN, its presence isn’t as wide as its competitor. It’s still decent enough to give it an elite status though.
Furthermore, the brand allows five simultaneous connections under one account, meaning you can use it on multiple devices at the same time.
And those are just some of the features that IPVanish offers.
Advantages of Bulgarian IP Address
Changing your IP address is always a smart move, especially when you’re abroad. But a Bulgarian IP address isn’t just useful for nationals. Anyone can benefit from a foreign IP because it gives you so many advantages like:
- Access to local streaming channels like Nova TV, BNT, Bloomberg TV Bulgaria, TV+, Balaknika TV, and much more.
- Access to banking services from anywhere in the world. You can also make secure transactions while you’re abroad because your activity will be encrypted.
- Browse the internet safely and anonymously. Your Bulgarian IP address will block any potential malware and hide your traffic.
- Compare prices and get better deals on flight tickets, hotel room bookings, and online shopping.
- Unblock VoIP services like Skype if you live in countries where video call services are banned, like the UAE.
- Learn about Bulgarian culture and language by watching local programs.
How to Switch to a Bulgarian IP Address Anywhere – Final Thoughts
A Bulgarian IP address brings-forth so many benefits, which makes it a must-have for any Bulgarian living abroad. However, any internet user can make use of a foreign IP, as it allows them to go online safely and anonymously. Therefore, you have to get a virtual private network in order to switch to an IP address from Bulgaria and enjoy your local shows.