Why use a VPN in Italy?
Italy's internet freedom has declined due to the expansion of Piracy Shield - an aggressive anti-piracy platform that allows copyright holders to order ISPs, VPN providers, and DNS services to block websites within 30 minutes, all without prior judicial review. Originally targeting illegal sports streams, Piracy Shield was extended in July 2025 to cover all live-streamed audiovisual content. The system has repeatedly overblocked legitimate websites, including Google services. On top of this, the Italian government confirmed its use of Paragon spyware against activists. An Italy VPN is increasingly important for anyone who values open internet access and privacy.
Internet freedom and privacy in Italy
Italy's communications authority AGCOM administers Piracy Shield, which enables rapid website blocking without court oversight. The system has been criticized at the EU level for lacking transparency, having no meaningful right to appeal before blocking occurs, and creating conflicts of interest - the platform was developed by a firm connected to the Italian football league, one of its primary beneficiaries. Cloudflare was fined 14 million euros for resisting mandatory registration with the system. Some VPN providers, including AirVPN, withdrew from Italy entirely due to inability to comply with blocking requirements while maintaining their privacy standards. Italy's data protection authority remains active - it fined OpenAI 15 million euros in December 2024 for ChatGPT privacy breaches - but the aggressive anti-piracy regime creates tension between privacy enforcement and content-blocking mandates. The best VPN for Italy offers both privacy and access to content affected by Piracy Shield overblocking.
Benefits of using PhasmaVPN in Italy
- Bypass Piracy Shield overblocking - Legitimate websites frequently get caught in Italy's aggressive blocking system. A VPN restores access to sites blocked by mistake.
- Access Italian content abroad - Watch RAI Play, Mediaset Infinity, and Discovery+ Italy from outside the country with an Italian VPN server.
- Privacy from state surveillance - With confirmed spyware deployment against activists, VPN encryption provides an important layer of defense.
- Secure public WiFi - Protect your connection on public WiFi networks across Rome, Milan, Florence, and other Italian cities.
Frequently asked questions
Are VPNs legal in Italy?
Yes, using a VPN is not explicitly illegal in Italy. However, VPN providers operating in Italy can be legally compelled to implement website blocks under Piracy Shield orders. Some providers have withdrawn from Italy rather than comply, making provider choice and server location important considerations.
Why do people in Italy use a VPN?
Italian users turn to VPNs to bypass Piracy Shield overblocking that disrupts legitimate websites, to protect their privacy from state surveillance (including confirmed spyware use), to access international streaming content, and to secure public WiFi connections. VPN adoption in Italy has risen significantly since Piracy Shield's expansion.
Can you access Italian content from abroad with a VPN?
Yes. Connect to an Italy VPN server to access RAI Play, Mediaset Infinity, and other Italian streaming platforms restricted to Italian IP addresses.
Can you access international content while in Italy?
Yes. A VPN allows you to connect to servers in other countries to access streaming libraries and websites not available in Italy due to geo-restrictions or Piracy Shield blocks.
How do you connect to an Italy VPN server with PhasmaVPN?
Download PhasmaVPN, select Italy from the server list, and connect with one click. Your traffic will be encrypted and routed through our Italy server.
