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Swedish TV in Spain – SVT, TV4 and more on the Costa del Sol

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Spain is one of the most popular countries for Swedes who live abroad part of the year, from the Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca to the Canary Islands. And one of the first questions after arriving is usually: how do we watch Swedish TV here? Because Spain is in the EU, slightly different rules apply than in, say, Thailand. Here is what you need to know.

Spain is an EU country – and that matters

The EU portability regulation says that paid streaming services must work when you, as a resident of Sweden, are temporarily in another EU country. For Spain that means:

  • TV4 Play with a paid package should, according to TV4's terms, work when you are temporarily in Spain. The free package only works in Sweden.
  • Paid services such as Netflix, Viaplay and Max should be usable under the rules, but the catalogue may differ.
  • SVT Play and UR Play are public service and not covered by the rule. What has rights for abroad can be watched, the rest cannot.

Does this include the Canary Islands? Yes, the Canary Islands are part of Spain and of the EU.

Important if you live in Spain most of the year

The portability rule applies to people who live in Sweden and are temporarily in another EU country. If you are registered in Spain or live there permanently, the services may see it differently. Read the service's own terms or ask its customer service if you are unsure.

Step by step: Swedish TV in your apartment in Spain

  1. Check the internet where you stay. Fibre is common in Spanish cities, but older buildings and rural areas can be slower. Ask the landlord about the speed.
  2. Sign in to your paid services at home in Sweden first so your account is in order.
  3. Use the "Kan ses utomlands" filter on svtplay.se/program to find SVT programmes you can watch in Spain. Read more in Watching SVT Play abroad.
  4. Decide how you want to watch on the TV. An Apple TV with the Grip VPN app, casting from your phone, or a VPN router for smart TVs and IPTV boxes.
  5. A Swedish IP address when you need it. For Swedish news sites, e-services and services built for Sweden, a Swedish IP address is handy. Read Swedish IP address abroad.

The smart TV in your Spanish apartment

Many rental apartments have a smart TV that you cannot install VPN apps on. If you have your own IPTV box or want the whole family to have a Swedish IP address without hassle, a VPN router can be easiest: plug it into the apartment's internet and connect the TV to the router's Wi-Fi. Read A VPN router for Swedish TV in the whole home. We ship the VPN router to Spain, and the shipping cost is shown at checkout.

Packing list for Swedish TV on your trip

  • An Apple TV, if you have one, and an HDMI cable. The hotel TV almost always has a free HDMI input.
  • Logins for your SVT account and your paid services, saved in a password manager.
  • An updated Mobile BankID with time left before it expires.
  • The Grip VPN app installed and tested at home, so you know everything works before you leave.
  • Chargers and preferably a plug adapter for the country you are going to.

What a VPN does and does not do

Grip VPN encrypts your traffic and sends it through Sweden, so websites see a Swedish IP address. It also protects you on open Wi-Fi in cafés and airports. A VPN does not, however, change the services' terms or rights. SVT does not support VPNs and does not promise that it works, and TV4 does not allow VPNs in its terms. It is better that you know that from the start.

If you want to try it, there are periods from one month on the pricing page, and the subscription does not renew automatically.

Frequently asked questions

Can I watch Swedish TV in Spain for free?

Yes, some of it. Many programmes on SVT Play and UR Play can be watched worldwide. Live channels and much of the sport are for Sweden only.

Does TV4 Play work in Spain?

With a paid package, TV4 Play should, according to TV4's terms, work when you are temporarily in an EU country like Spain. The free package only works in Sweden. Read TV4 Play abroad.

Do I need a VPN in Spain?

Not for paid services that follow the portability rules. A VPN is still useful for Swedish websites and e-services and for security on open Wi-Fi.

Can I watch Swedish TV in Spain on my smart TV?

If the TV has the app and the service works in Spain, yes. If you need a Swedish IP address on a TV that cannot run VPN apps, a VPN router is the solution.

Does the same apply in Portugal and France?

Yes, they are EU countries too, so the portability rules apply there in the same way. Outside the EU it is different. Read Swedish TV in Thailand.