Google Gemini has pulled ahead of the competition in early 2026, especially with the release of Gemini 3.1 Pro. But a ton of people can’t even get to it. Google just throws up a “not available in your country” message and that’s that. If you’re stuck in that situation, this guide is for you. We tested all three leading VPNs from the EU to find what actually works, and we’ll walk you through the whole process step by step.
TL;DR
Don’t have time to read the whole thing? Here’s what you need to know:
- Get a premium VPN (NordVPN, Surfshark, or ExpressVPN) and turn it on before you even open your browser.
- Connect to a US or UK server.
- Still not working? The problem is your Google account, not the VPN. Create a new one with the VPN already running and leave the payment profile empty.
- Free VPNs won’t cut it. Google has their IP addresses flagged.
- If you’re still seeing an error, clear cookies specifically for
gemini.google.com.
| Best VPN for Google | Offer + Discount | URL |
|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | 77% off + 3 months free | Try NordVPN |
| ExpressVPN | 81% off + 4 months free | Get ExpressVPN |
| SurfShark | 87% off + 2 months free | Try SurfShark |
What Google Gemini Actually Does
Before we get into the how-to, a quick rundown of what you’re actually unlocking. Gemini isn’t just another chatbot.
It works across text, images, audio, and video in over 40 languages. It can write and read code in multiple programming languages, work through complex problems, and walk you through its reasoning step by step.
On the practical side, you can use it to generate images and music, write stories, summarize books, translate content, or use it as a study buddy.
Current Models Gemini (February 2026)
| Model | Best For | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Gemini 3.1 Pro | Heavy-duty tasks, complex reasoning | Gemini Advanced / AI Ultra |
| Gemini 3 Deep Think | Science, engineering, deep analysis | AI Ultra |
| Gemini 3 Flash | Fast everyday questions | Free and paid plans |
Gemini 3.1 Pro dropped in mid-February 2026 and it’s noticeably sharper at logical reasoning than earlier versions. Deep Think is for when you need serious depth, not just a quick answer. Flash is the opposite: it’s all about speed.
Where Google Gemini Is Available
Gemini works in 180+ countries. Here’s a breakdown of where it’s fully supported:
| Region | Examples |
|---|---|
| North & South America | USA, Brazil, Argentina, Chile |
| Europe | Full EU, United Kingdom |
| Asia-Pacific | Japan, India, Australia, Thailand, Taiwan, Cambodia |
| Middle East & Africa | UAE, Israel, Egypt, Turkey |
The biggest gaps are China, Russia, and a handful of other countries with strict AI and data laws. On top of that, you might also be blocked by a corporate or school network even if you’re physically in a country where Gemini works fine.
What a VPN Does and Why You Need One
A VPN encrypts your connection and routes it through a server in another country. When you connect through a US server, Google sees a US IP address and lets you into Gemini. Your actual internet provider has no idea what you’re doing.
Simple enough in theory, and most of the time it works exactly like that. But there are two things most guides skip over that can trip you up.
Why a VPN Alone Sometimes Isn’t Enough
Google doesn’t just look at your IP address. It also checks the region tied to your Google account. If you’ve been using the same account from Germany or Brazil for years, Google already knows where you are, and a VPN won’t change that.
The fix is a fresh Google account, but you have to set it up the right way. Turn the VPN on before you open your browser. Not after, not halfway through. When Google sees a US IP address during signup and the account has zero history from anywhere else, it automatically assigns a US region.
After you create the account, head to pay.google.com and check your payment profile. As long as there’s no foreign card or address attached, Google treats you as a US user. You can add a US Google Play gift card as a payment method, and those are easy to find through legitimate online retailers.
Don’t use fake addresses or made-up payment info though, that violates Google’s terms and can get your account banned.
Why Free VPNs Don’t Work
This is the second thing that catches people off guard. Google can tell the difference between a regular home connection and a data center server. Free and cheap VPNs almost always use data center IP addresses, and Google has most of them blacklisted. So you’ll hit the same error even with a VPN running.
Premium services like NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN use residential IP addresses, meaning ones that look like a normal home connection somewhere in the US or UK. Google has no reason to block those.
One more thing worth knowing: if Gemini is still erroring out even with a premium VPN, clear cookies specifically for gemini.google.com in your browser. Clearing your whole history won’t necessarily fix it because the old location can sit stuck on that domain separately. In Chrome, go to Settings, then Privacy, then Cookies, search for gemini.google.com, and delete it.
How to Unblock Google Gemini: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Pick a VPN
We recommend NordVPN, Surfshark, or ExpressVPN. More on each one below. Skip the free options. They’re slow, they sell your data, and their IPs are blocked by Google anyway.
Step 2: Download and Install the App
All three have apps for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. Grab them directly from the provider’s website or your device’s app store.
Step 3: Turn On the VPN Before Opening Your Browser
Order matters here. VPN first, browser second. Connect to a US server, or the closest country where Gemini is available.
Step 4: Sign In or Create a New Google Account
If your existing Google account is the issue (because of region settings), use the fresh account you set up using the steps above.
Step 5: Go to gemini.google.com
Head to gemini.google.com and sign in. It should work. If it doesn’t, clear cookies for gemini.google.com and try again.
Step 6: You’re In
Full access to everything, including Gemini 3.1 Pro.
Best VPNs for Google Gemini
Here’s a quick side-by-side so you can see how they stack up:
| NordVPN | Surfshark | ExpressVPN | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Servers | 8,900+ | 4,500+ | 3,000+ |
| Countries | 165 | 100 | 105 |
| Protocol | NordLynx | WireGuard | Lightway |
| Simultaneous devices | 10 | Unlimited | 14 (Pro plan) |
| Ad blocking | Yes (Threat Protection) | Yes (CleanWeb) | Limited |
| Audited no-logs | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Starting price | $3.19/mo | $1.99/mo | $2.44/mo |
| Money-back guarantee | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days |
| Try NordVPN | Try Surfshark | Try ExpressVPN |
1) NordVPN
NordVPN is the fastest of the three and has the biggest server network, with over 8,900 servers across 165 countries. It runs on NordLynx (built on WireGuard), which handles heavy Gemini sessions without any lag. It’s passed multiple independent security audits, keeps zero logs, and includes Threat Protection to block ads and malware before they even load.
You can connect up to 10 devices at once.
Best for people who want top-tier speed and security and don’t want to compromise on either.
Try NordVPN – 77% off + 3 months free
2) Surfshark
Surfshark lets you connect unlimited devices on one subscription, which is pretty rare. One plan covers your whole household: every phone, laptop, and tablet. It runs WireGuard, keeps no logs, and CleanWeb blocks trackers and sketchy sites. It’s also the most affordable of the three.
Best for families or anyone with a lot of devices.
Try Surfshark – 87% off + 3 months free
3) ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN runs on its own Lightway protocol, which is fast and easy on battery life. You’ll notice the difference on mobile. It covers 105 countries with 3,000+ servers, has a verified no-logs policy, and supports both split tunneling and kill switch. The Pro plan handles up to 14 simultaneous connections.
Best for frequent travelers or anyone who lives on their phone.
Try ExpressVPN – 81% off + 4 months free
How We Tested
We ran all three VPNs from inside the EU, where Google Gemini is restricted by default on older accounts. The test setup was straightforward: a regular browser with no prior US activity, a fresh Google account created with the VPN running, and a payment profile left intentionally empty.
NordVPN connected to an obfuscated New York server (#9472) and loaded Gemini 3.1 Pro on the first try, no errors. Surfshark on a Chicago server using WireGuard quantum-safe protocol worked just as cleanly.
ExpressVPN on a USA – New York server took one extra step. We had to clear the gemini.google.com cookies before it kicked in fully, but after that it ran without a hitch.
All three held up through extended sessions with Gemini 3.1 Pro, including file uploads and multi-turn conversations. No dropouts, no sudden region errors mid-session.
The speed difference between the three was noticeable but not dealbreaking: NordVPN was the snappiest, Surfshark was close behind, and ExpressVPN felt slightly heavier on desktop but performed well on mobile.
Still Not Working? Here’s What to Try
Gemini is still showing an error: Clear cookies specifically for gemini.google.com, not your whole browser history. Also try switching to a different server in the same country.
Connection is slow: Switch to WireGuard or NordLynx in your VPN app settings. Pick a server that’s geographically closer to you. If you’re running a double VPN or obfuscation, turn those off temporarily since both slow things down.
Can’t connect on a work or school network: The firewall is probably blocking VPN protocols. Enable obfuscation in your VPN app, which disguises VPN traffic as regular HTTPS traffic and gets around most firewalls. All three recommended VPNs have this feature.
Your real IP is leaking: Check ipleak.net to see what IP the outside world is seeing. If it’s not a US address, turn on DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leak protection in your VPN settings. Also close any apps you’re not using, since some of them can quietly broadcast your real location in the background.
How to Get More Out of Google Gemini
Once you’re in, a few things that’ll save you time.
Be specific and give it context. Instead of “write me an email,” try “write a short, formal email declining a meeting. No apologies, just a polite no.” The more precise you are, the less you’ll have to rewrite.
For complicated tasks, break them into steps and send them one at a time rather than dumping everything into one prompt. Gemini also handles file uploads, so you can drop in a PDF, spreadsheet, or image and ask questions directly about what’s in it.
If you’re on the AI Ultra plan and tackling something technical or scientific, flip on Deep Think. It takes longer to respond but goes way deeper than the standard mode.
On the VPN side: turn on split tunneling in your app settings. That way only Gemini traffic routes through the VPN, and everything else runs on your normal connection without the extra latency.
Other Ways a VPN Comes in Handy
Once you’ve got a VPN set up, it’s useful for a lot more than just Gemini. Your ISP can throttle your connection when you’re using a lot of bandwidth, but obfuscation keeps them from knowing what you’re doing so they can’t slow you down.
A VPN also unlocks different Netflix catalogs and other streaming services that vary by country. And when you’re shopping online, especially on public Wi-Fi, it encrypts your payment info so nobody can sniff it off the network.
Wrap-Up
With a solid VPN and a properly set-up Google account, Gemini is accessible from anywhere. NordVPN is the fastest option (from $3.19/mo), Surfshark is the best deal if you’ve got multiple devices (from $1.99/mo), and ExpressVPN is the go-to for mobile users (from $2.44/mo).
All three come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test them out on Gemini 3.1 Pro risk-free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I unblock Google Gemini for free?
Technically yes, but it rarely works in practice. Free VPNs use data center IP addresses that Google has largely blacklisted, so you’ll usually just get the same error. The premium options listed here start at $1.99/mo and all come with a 30-day refund, so the financial risk is essentially zero.
Does a VPN slow down Gemini?
A little, yes, but with a quality VPN it’s barely noticeable. In our testing, NordVPN and Surfshark added almost no visible latency to regular Gemini sessions. The bigger speed factor is server distance — the closer the server to your actual location, the faster it’ll feel.
Will Google ban my account for using a VPN?
Google doesn’t ban accounts just for using a VPN. The real risk comes from using a fake billing address or fraudulent payment info, which does violate their terms. Stick to a clean payment profile or a legitimate US gift card and you’ll be fine.
Why is Google Gemini not available in my country?
Most commonly it’s because local regulations around AI or data processing haven’t been cleared by Google yet. The EU was a gray area for a while, and countries like China and Russia have outright bans on services like this. A VPN routes around those restrictions by making Google think you’re connecting from an allowed region.
Which VPN is best for Google Gemini specifically?
Based on our testing, NordVPN is the most reliable pick overall, mainly because of its speed and residential IP quality. Surfshark is the better choice if you’re covering multiple devices on a budget. ExpressVPN is worth it if you’re primarily on mobile.
