How to get a Switzerland IP address in 2024

What is a Switzerland IP address?

A Switzerland IP address is an IP address associated with an internet server in Switzerland. When you connect to a Swiss server, your internet activity appears to originate from that approximate geographical location in Switzerland.

Your IP address is a unique set of numbers that identifies your device when you’re online. It lets apps and websites know where you’re connecting from. If your device has a Switzerland IP address, online services will treat your access as coming from within Switzerland. This information on your approximate geographical location can influence the content you’re able to access or the prices you might see in online shops.

Normally, you would be assigned a Swiss IP if you were accessing the internet while physically in Switzerland. However, there are ways to connect to a Swiss server – and get a Switzerland IP address – even when you’re abroad.

Reasons why you would want a Switzerland IP address

If you’re a resident of Switzerland traveling abroad, you might find connecting to your local online services very difficult or even impossible. Some websites and apps only allow access for users with Swiss IPs, so getting one is essential for your everyday online experience. But a smooth connection isn’t the only reason for getting a Switzerland IP address, especially if online privacy is at the top of your list.

• Access to home content while traveling. You might want to get a Switzerland IP address when you need to access your home content and digital accounts from abroad. For example, some banks restrict access to their services from foreign IP addresses to prevent fraud and unauthorized use, so a Switzerland IP address is imperative if you want to access your online Swiss bank account. The same goes for Swiss TV and streaming services you subscribe to in Switzerland – you won’t be able to watch this type of content from abroad unless you have a Switzerland IP.
• Online shopping with better prices. Buying Swiss products online might be cheaper with a Switzerland IP address because some online vendors offer discounts or lower prices depending on the buyer’s location. Using a Switzerland IP from abroad is a smart way to compare prices from different retailers and possibly purchase cheaper flights, event tickets, and goods, as well as make cheaper hotel reservations.
• Privacy concerns. Hiding your virtual location with a different IP address provides an additional layer of security for your online traffic. A Switzerland IP does the same – it makes your online activity much less visible to websites, ISPs, and other online services. Masking your original IP is especially smart when using public Wi-Fi networks that usually lack protection and serve as a hunting ground for online criminals.

So, if a Switzerland IP address helps you enjoy your home content, get better prices, and stay more private, how do you get one?

How to get a Switzerland IP address

Of the several ways that you can get a Switzerland IP address, the easiest ones are to use a VPN, a proxy server, or the Tor browser. All three options have their pros and cons, so let’s see which one suits you best.

Use a VPN

Getting a Switzerland IP address with a VPN is the easiest option out of the three. For example, NordVPN offers over 100 VPN servers in Switzerland. If you want to get a Switzerland IP address, simply connect to a server in Switzerland using your VPN app. Websites will see a Swiss IP address and treat your device as if it was physically located in Switzerland, allowing you access to local Swiss content and accounts.

A virtual private network (VPN) routes your online traffic through a VPN server – this effectively hides your original IP address by assigning you the IP of the VPN server. The traffic you route through a VPN server is also encrypted, adding an extra layer of security to your online traffic so that websites, your ISP, and snoopers can’t track your online activity.

With a premium VPN service, you also get an array of security features that no proxy server or Tor browser can offer. The security features that NordVPN offers include a VPN kill switch that disconnects you from the internet if your VPN connection drops, Meshnet for safe file sharing, and Threat Protection Pro (with its Ultra, Complete, and Plus plans) for blocking phishing websites and scanning files you download for malware.

Don’t have a VPN app yet? Get one and connect to a Swiss server in a matter of minutes:

1. 1.Download the VPN software.
2. 2.Create an account and sign in.
3. 3.Find Switzerland in the list of countries and tap on it to be connected to a VPN server in Zurich.

You’re all set! Now you can browse Swiss content wherever you are. Even better, you can connect 10 different devices with one NordVPN account to protect the data transferred between those devices and the VPN server with top-notch encryption.

The only hassle you might face with VPNs is selecting the provider. We recommend investing in a long-term subscription with a premium VPN service to ensure your traffic is as private as can be. For example, on top of encrypting your traffic, NordVPN doesn’t log your data, because your online activity is simply not our business. Unfortunately, not all free VPN providers think that way – most are known for logging user data and selling it to third parties for marketing purposes. For more on the topic, visit our blog post on free VPNs vs. paid VPNs.

Here’s an overview of what you get with a VPN service:

Use a proxy server

Another way to get a Switzerland IP address is to use a proxy server. A proxy server acts as an intermediary between your device and the internet – it receives requests from you, forwards them to the internet, and then sends the retrieved data back to you. This setup provides more online privacy by masking your original IP address with the proxy server’s IP address.

If a proxy server is located in Switzerland, it will have a Switzerland IP address. When you route your traffic through this proxy, websites and online services you access will see the Swiss IP address instead of your original IP for as long as you’re connected to the proxy.

The main difference between a proxy server and a VPN is that a proxy server does not encrypt your online traffic, while a VPN does. Traffic encryption improves the privacy of your data in transit and helps you avoid being snooped on by different online entities.

Since most of the proxy servers are free, they are likely to sell user data to third parties, same as some free VPNs. So if you’re bent on using a proxy server, go for one offered by a VPN company. It will offer better speeds, more server locations, and additional security features. For example, NordVPN offers an alternative to a proxy server – download its VPN proxy extension for Google Chrome browser and browse safely.

Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons of using a proxy server to get a Switzerland IP address:

Use the Tor browser

The third common way of masking your original IP and selecting a Swiss one instead is by using the Tor browser. Tor, short for The Onion Router, is a free software that enables private communication by directing internet traffic through a worldwide network of thousands of relays and nodes.

Typically, the Tor network picks a random IP address to hide your virtual location. However, you can configure Tor to use a Swiss exit node in the network’s settings.

Since volunteers operate the Tor network, there is the risk of some nodes being malicious. To counter this risk, you can pair Tor with a VPN service. To add privacy to your online activity, NordVPN offers the Onion over VPN feature which routes your traffic through a VPN server, then passes it to the Tor network. And you don’t even need to use the Tor browser!

As good as the Tor browser sounds, its cons might outweigh its pros. Take a look for yourself to decide if you’ll be using Tor to get a Swiss IP:

How to get a dedicated Switzerland IP address

You can easily get a dedicated Switzerland IP address on top of your VPN subscription. It’s convenient to have a dedicated Swiss IP if you regularly browse Swiss content from abroad.

Since most large VPN companies offer dedicated IP services, all you need to do is select the provider, download their VPN software, sign in to your account, and follow the setup instructions to configure the dedicated IP on your device.

With NordVPN, getting a dedicated Switzerland IP address is simple. Once you’ve selected your subscription plan on the pricing page, click the “+Add” next to the dedicated IP at the checkout. Then complete the payment and select “Zurich, Switzerland” as your dedicated IP location.

If you’re an existing NordVPN user, follow these steps:

1. 1.Log in to your Nord Account.
2. 2.Go to the NordVPN tab and select “Get dedicated IP.”
3. 3.In the next window, select “Get dedicated IP” again.
4. 4.Choose either a 1-year or a monthly dedicated IP plan.
5. 5.Fill out all required payment information and select “Continue.”
6. 6.Set up your dedicated IP in your Nord Account dashboard.