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TV4 Play abroad – the rules inside and outside the EU

Updated · Läs guiden på svenska

"TV4 Play not working abroad" is one of the most common searches among travelling Swedes. The answer depends on two things: which package you have and whether you are inside or outside the EU. Here we go through what TV4 itself says in its terms, so you know the rules before you pack.

We sell a VPN service, but for TV4 Play in particular we want to be clear from the start: TV4 does not allow VPNs, proxies or similar services. It says so in their terms of use. This guide is therefore about using TV4 Play in the way TV4 itself offers.

Short summary

  • Paid package + temporarily in an EU or EEA country: TV4 Play should work under the EU portability regulation, on the conditions TV4 sets out.
  • The free package: according to TV4's terms it only works when you are in Sweden.
  • Outside the EU and EEA: according to the terms you only have the right to use the service in Sweden, with the exception above for the EU and EEA.
  • VPNs and proxies: not allowed under TV4's terms.

Why does the paid package work in the EU but not the free one?

The EU portability regulation covers paid online content services. If you live in Sweden and pay for a service, you should be able to use it in the same way when you are temporarily in another EU country, for example on holiday or a short work trip. Free services are not covered, which is why TV4's free package only works in Sweden. The rule also applies in the EEA countries Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.

Note the word temporarily. The regulation applies to people who live in Sweden. If you have moved abroad permanently, the service may see it differently.

Step by step: watching TV4 Play on holiday in Europe

  1. Check your package in your TV4 Play account before you travel. It is the paid packages that are covered.
  2. Sign in at home in Sweden first. Services that follow the portability rules need to be able to check that you live in Sweden, and that is easiest when your account is already in order.
  3. Turn off any VPN or proxy on the device you watch on, because TV4 does not allow it and may block playback.
  4. Keep the household rules in mind. According to TV4's terms, an account is for one household and you can stream on up to two devices at the same time.
  5. Contact TV4's customer service if something does not work. They can see how your account is assessed.

If you are outside the EU

If you are in, say, Thailand, Turkey or the USA, the portability rules do not apply. According to TV4's terms you are then not entitled to the content. News clips can sometimes be watched without signing in, but do not count on the full catalogue. For Swedish TV outside the EU, SVT Play and UR Play are often the best option, since many programmes can be watched worldwide. Read Watching SVT Play abroad and Swedish TV in Thailand.

Common misunderstandings

  • "I pay the public service fee, so I should be able to watch everything." The Swedish public service fee funds SVT, UR and Swedish Radio, not TV4. And it is not a subscription covered by the portability rules.
  • "With a Swedish IP address the same rules apply as at home." No, an IP address does not change the terms. TV4 does not allow VPNs.
  • "The EU rule applies across all of Europe." It applies in the EU and EEA. The UK, Switzerland and Turkey, for example, are not covered.

So what is Grip VPN useful for?

A Swedish IP address is useful for much more than TV4: Swedish news sites, e-services, online shops and services built for visitors in Sweden. Grip VPN also encrypts your traffic on open Wi-Fi in hotels, cafés and airports. Read more in Swedish IP address abroad and BankID and Swedish e-services abroad.

If you want to try it, there are periods from one month with no automatic renewal on the pricing page. For the whole home, for example a smart TV or IPTV box, there is our VPN router.

Frequently asked questions

Does TV4 Play work in Spain?

With a paid package, TV4 Play should, according to TV4's terms, work when you are temporarily in another EU or EEA country such as Spain. The free package only works in Sweden. Read more in Swedish TV in Spain.

Can I use a VPN with TV4 Play?

No. TV4 states in its terms of use that it does not allow anonymised traffic via proxies, VPNs and similar services. Turn off your VPN when you use TV4 Play.

Why does TV4 Play say I am abroad when I am in Sweden?

It may be because a VPN or proxy is switched on on the device or in the router, or because your network has an IP address the service sees as foreign. Turn off the VPN and contact TV4's customer service if it continues.

Does TV4 Play work in Norway?

Norway is part of the EEA, and TV4's terms mention the EU/EEA area. With a paid package it should therefore work when you are there temporarily.