What's the best VPN to use in Portugal in 2026?

The thing is, the "best" VPN really varies depending on what you're actually using it for, but what the previous answers are missing is testing the speed locally before you commit to an annual plan. ExpressVPN and NordVPN are solid brands, yeah, but in Portugal specifically there are some things to keep in mind: ExpressVPN is genuinely expensive (around €100+ per year if you don't catch a promotion), and NordVPN sometimes lags when you connect to local servers, depending on your internet provider. Surfshark is more affordable, but honestly the speed isn't consistent for everyone - I know people who use it perfectly fine and people who complain about it freezing up.

What I'd suggest is: test the trial version or those VPNs that have a money-back guarantee in the first 30 days. Do a real test with the stuff you actually use (streaming, browsing, downloads) before you spend money on a whole year. There are some newer ones like Mullvad or ProtonVPN that work well too and cost less, and several run on open-source so some people trust them more for that reason. Another thing: if you just want basic privacy within Portugal itself, without unblocking content from outside, there are way cheaper solutions that aren't even the "top" ones everyone mentions.

The real tip is don't fall into the trap of paying for a brand just because you see ads for it. Test it, check ping and speed for your specific situation, and then make your choice.

People have already given some good options, but one thing nobody mentioned is checking whether the VPN you choose has servers physically in Portugal or at least very close by - it makes a huge difference in speed when you're watching local content! If you want something that's robust and reliable without breaking the bank, Mullvad is also solid and has great privacy policies, even if it's less well-known than the others.