Netflix blocks content by country, so changing your country means changing what shows and films you can watch

Netflix's library is different in every country because of licensing agreements. A show available in the UK might not exist in Australia. When you change your Netflix country, you are telling Netflix where you are physically located, and it shows you only the content licensed for that region. This is not the same as hiding your location — Netflix knows where you are through your payment method, IP address, and login location.

The simplest way to change your country is to update your account location in Netflix settings. This takes about two minutes and requires a valid payment method registered to that country. If you move to a new country permanently, this is the official method Netflix expects you to use.

Key Takeaways

  • Netflix determines your country from your payment method, IP address, and where you log in, so changing one of these changes your country.
  • The official way to change country is through Account Settings, where you update your location and payment details to match your new country.
  • Your subscription price may change when you switch countries, because Netflix charges different amounts in different regions.
  • Your watch history, saved shows, and profile settings stay with your account when you change country.
  • If you travel temporarily, Netflix will let you watch your home country's library for about a month before asking you to update your location.

Change your country through Netflix Account Settings

Open Netflix on any device and go to your account menu. Click your profile icon in the top right corner, then select Account. Scroll down to Membership and Billing and look for Membership. You will see your current country listed here. Click Change Membership Country or the country name itself.

Netflix will ask you to confirm your new country and show you the new subscription price for that region. You must have a payment method registered to the new country — a credit card, debit card, or local payment method with a billing address in that country. If you do not have one, add it now. Netflix will charge your new payment method starting with your next billing date.

Once you confirm, your country changes when ready. You will see a different library the next time you browse Netflix. Your watch history, saved shows, and profiles all stay exactly as they were.

Update your payment method to match your new country

Netflix uses your payment method's billing address to verify your country. If you have moved to a new country but your card is still registered to your old address, Netflix may not let you change your membership country. You need to either add a new payment method with a billing address in your new country, or update your existing card's address.

Go to Account, then Membership and Billing, then Payment Method. You can add a new card or update the address on an existing one. Once the address matches your new country, you can change your membership country in the settings described above.

What happens to your subscription price when you change country

Netflix charges different prices in different countries. When you change your country, your monthly cost may go up or down. For example, a Standard subscription might cost $15.49 in the United States but £10.99 in the UK. Netflix will show you the new price before you confirm the change, so you will know exactly what you will be charged.

Your new price takes effect on your next billing date. If you change country mid-month, you will not be charged until then. If the new price is higher and you want to avoid the increase, you can cancel your subscription before the change takes effect, though you will lose access to Netflix when ready.

Temporary travel versus permanent relocation

If you are traveling for a few weeks or months, you do not need to change your country officially. Netflix allows you to watch your home country's library for about a month while you are away. After that, Netflix will ask you to update your location. You can either change your country permanently or wait until you return home.

If you are moving permanently, change your country as soon as you have a payment method registered to your new location. This avoids confusion later and ensures you have access to the full library in your new country. Waiting too long can result in Netflix restricting your account until you update your location.

Using a VPN does not officially change your Netflix country

A VPN (virtual private network) masks your IP address and makes Netflix think you are in a different location. However, Netflix actively blocks VPN connections. If Netflix detects you are using a VPN, it will not let you watch anything and will ask you to turn it off or update your location.

Netflix's terms of service say you should only watch content licensed for your actual country of residence. Using a VPN to access another country's library violates this agreement. The official way to access a different country's content is to change your country through your account settings, which requires a valid payment method in that country.

What stays the same when you change your Netflix country

Your watch history, saved shows, ratings, and all your profiles stay with your account. You will not lose anything. The only thing that changes is which content is available to watch — you will see a different library, different prices, and possibly different languages depending on the country you move to.

If you have multiple profiles on your account, they all change country together. You cannot have one profile in the UK and another in Australia on the same subscription. Everyone on the account watches from the same country's library.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Netflix country if I do not have a payment method in that country?

No. Netflix requires a valid payment method with a billing address in the country you are changing to. You will need to add a credit card, debit card, or local payment method registered to that country before you can change your membership country.

Will I lose my watch history if I change countries?

No. Your watch history, saved shows, ratings, and all profile settings stay exactly the same. Only the available content changes based on your new country's licensing agreements.

What if Netflix says my country change failed?

This usually means your payment method's billing address does not match the country you are trying to change to. Update your card's address in Payment Method settings, or add a new card with a billing address in your new country. Wait a few minutes, then try changing your country again.

How long does it take for my Netflix library to change after I update my country?

Your library updates when ready. The next time you open Netflix or refresh the page, you will see content from your new country. You may need to log out and log back in on some devices for the change to show up.

Can I change my country back to my old one if I move again?

Yes. You can change your country as many times as you need, as long as you have a valid payment method registered to each new country. There is no limit to how many times you can switch.