ZDF is a free-to-air German streaming service that is free for the audience to stream any of their favorite content.
It offers Live TV, series, documentaries, news, movies, dramas, etc. based on a wide library of genres from thriller, action, and mystery, to retro, satire, comedy, and many more.
Since ZDF is a German service, it won’t be available in Canada or anywhere outside Germany. The only way to watch ZDF in Canada is with the help of a VPN.
Hence if you try to stream a show without a VPN, the following geo-restriction error will stop you in your tracks:
“For legal reasons, this contribution can only be shown in Germany”
I was able to unblock ZDF from Canada with the help of ExpressVPN and the other best VPNs that I have mentioned in this guide.
Our Recommended VPN – ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is our recommended choice when it comes to unblocking ZDF in Canada as it easily bypasses its geo-restrictions and keeps your online identity safe while streaming.
Get yourself ExpressVPN today and enjoy 3 extra months for free. You also get a 30-day money-back guarantee so use all of its features risk-free for 30-days.
How to Watch ZDF in Canada
ZDF is free to stream but can only be accessed in Canada or anywhere outside Germany through a VPN. You need a sign up for a free account and here’s how you will do it, follow the steps below to watch ZDF in Canada:
Step 1: Subscribe to a good VPN service (ExpressVPN is our recommended choice)
Step 2: Download the ExpressVPN app and install it on your device
Step 3: Open the VPN app and connect to the German server
Step 4: Open the ZDF website and click on “MY ZDF”
Step 5: Now click on “Create New Account”
Step 6: Enter your email and password
Step 7: Choose a display name for you
Step 8: Click on the link you will receive in your mailbox to confirm the signup
Step 9: Click on “Continue”
Step 10: Now login with your credentials
Step 11: Go to the “Live TV” section from the top bar
Step 12: Start streaming
3 Recommended VPN Services to Unblock ZDF in Canada
Out of the 35+ VPNs that we tested, only 3 VPNs satisfied us enough to watch ZDF in Canada. All 3 of them were able to bypass the geo-restriction from ZDF in a snap.
Following are those VPNs that we suggest to others as well:
1. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN will always be our top recommendation for a VPN, not just for ZDF but to unblock any geo-blocked service. With a high speed of 89 Mbps out of 100 Mbps, it will never disappoint you.
If you opt for ExpressVPN, it offers you a lot of amazing features, including, AES-256 encryption, IP address protection, and DNS leak protection to provide you with security at an exceptional degree.
And its 24-hour customer support will always resolve the issues you are having regarding the VPN and won’t give you compromised quality. ExpressVPN can also let you unblock other streaming services as well, e.g., TVNow, Pluto TV, and Stan.
ExpressVPN has 3 servers in Germany which give you the option to choose any of them in case one has some issues. You don’t need to worry about its device compatibility either, as you can install them on, your Android, macOS, iOS, and Linux devices.
ExpressVPN costs $6.67/month and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Additionally, it works on 5 separate devices on one subscription at the same time.
2. Surfshark
Surfshark is another great VPN that will also do a fairly good job of unblocking ZDF in Canada. With its speed of 81 Mbps out of 100 Mbps, you’ve got nothing to worry about.
Other than the speed, the security it provides is also top-notch, with 256-bit AES encryption, IPv6 leak protection, and DNS data protection, your privacy, and online activity stay secured.
Surfshark gives you the option of 2 German cities’ servers to connect to, i.e. Berlin and Frankfurt which is great. Along with ZDF, you can watch TRT1, Showtime, Discovery+, etc. in Canada as well.
Surfshark can be subscribed for $2.49/month, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee and access to an unlimited number of devices simultaneously over a single account.
3. NordVPN
NordVPN is another VPN among our top suggestions for unblocking ZDF in Canada because it has roughly 240 German servers. It offers excellent safety features and a blistering speed of 81 Mbps out of 100 Mbps.
With security features including 256-bit AES encryption, IPv6, DNS, no-log policy, WebRTC leak protection, and a programmable kill switch, this VPN service is ideal for people seeking enhanced security.
With a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee and the ability to connect up to six devices at once, NordVPN service costs $3.29/month.
Why do you need a VPN service to Watch ZDF in Canada?
We have already understood that the ZDF is not available to the Cannucks or anywhere it is accessed other than Germany. This means you cannot stream any show, movie, documentary, etc. unless you are connected to a German server over a VPN.
Such restrictions are implied because of the licensing agreements and copyright ownership of the content. And to bypass that, there’s no other way except to use a reliable VPN.
A VPN, basically, changes your location to the connected server, e.g., Germany, and provides you a German IP address and the ZDF site won’t be able to detect your original location.
Not just that, a VPN also provides you security over the internet and hides your online activity from the ISPs. Which means your original identity stays hidden through the VPN.
How to Watch ZDF on Mobile Phone
By following the steps below, you can watch ZDF on your mobile phone too:
Step 1: Connect to the German server of ExpressVPN
Step 2: Download the ZDF app from the Play Store
Step 4: Open the app and go to “Live TV”
Step 5: Click on the play button
Step 6: Start streaming
Shows to Watch on ZDF
ZDF has a wide genre of content to keep you entertained. From series, movies, and documentaries to news, variety shows, dramas, etc. it gives you a good amount of options to choose from that can actually you confused to take a start.
Here are our few suggestions to help you out:
- My devilishly good friend
- The mouse case
- The wall between us
- Zwerg Nase
- The Chelsea Detective
- Malibu
- Deadly tropics
- Inspector Barnaby
- Father Brown
- The Red Line
- The wage of sin
- Where is my sister?
- Death in Samarra
- The Calm before the storm
- It gets even better
- Anyone can teach
- Dead Pixels
Other Streaming Services to Watch in Canada
You can watch the following German TV services and channels in Canada as well apart from ZDF, but with the help of a VPN:
- Watch Zattoo TV in Canada
- Watch 7TV in Canada
- Watch ProSieben in Canada
- Watch Arte TV in Canada
- Watch 3sat in Canada
- Watch TVNow in Canada
FAQs – ZDF
Is it necessary to sign up for ZDF to stream the shows?
No, it’s not really necessary. You can still watch shows if you haven’t registered an account. But the connection to a VPN is absolutely necessary.
Can I use a free VPN to stream ZDF?
No, a free one is never recommended because your security is never guaranteed. Besides, a free VPN doesn’t have enough country servers as compared to a premium VPN.
Conclusion
ZDF implied some geo-limitations, which means that people outside of Germany won’t be able to watch ZDF in Canada or from anywhere outside of Germany.
We have suggested to you the only possible way there is that can help you unblock ZDF from Canada, and is through a VPN. We highly recommend ExpressVPN for being the fastest among all, it worked perfectly fine for us.
Additionally, you can choose any other VPN service that effectively lifts all restrictions and enhances your streaming experience in general.
