If you’ve ever tried to watch Hulu from outside the US, you’ll know that it is a difficult process. Fortunately, we’ve created this guide on how to pay for Hulu from outside the US. Once you know how to do so, you’ll be able to sign up for a subscription and watch content on the streaming site from anywhere.
Below is everything you need to know about paying for Hulu with a US-accepted payment method, as well as how certain software such as a VPN can help you to do so.
Why Can’t I Pay for Hulu Outside the US?
If you’ve ever tried to sign up for a Hulu account before, say from Europe or Asia, then you’ll likely have been blocked from accessing Hulu. This is because Hulu is a US-based streaming service, which means international fans outside of the US will have a hard time watching it.
Although a Hulu VPN offers a great way to change your virtual location to the US so that you can watch the streaming service from anywhere in the world, you might still be unable to sign up for an account. This is because Hulu users need a US payment form to be able to sign up and use the service. So, unless you have a valid US payment method, you’ll be unable to use Hulu.
How to Pay for Hulu from Outside the US
If you’re based outside the US then there are a few things you need to do in order to pay for a Hulu subscription and access the service. Firstly, it is essential to get a VPN. With a VPN, you’ll be able to easily change your virtual location to the US. Download the VPN app onto your device, open it up, and find the server list. Scroll through until you find the United States and connect to a server.
You should now have a US IP address, and be able to sign up for a subscription. However, in order to complete the sign-up process, you need to use a US payment option. If you happen to have a US-based credit or debit card then you’ll be able to complete your subscription. However, the easiest way to pay for Hulu is by using PayPal. With PayPal, you can change your local currency into dollars and then pay for US-based services using your account.
Firstly, you need to sign into PayPal (we recommend via your desktop for easier access but the mobile app also works). You then need to click the three small dots next to your PayPal balance and then tap on ‘Manage Currencies’. 
You’ll then be taken to a separate page where you can see how much money you hold in each currency. Tap on the ‘Transfer’ tab and choose how much money you want to change into USD from your original currency. It is worth checking out how much your Hulu subscription costs beforehand so that you can make sure you exchange the right amount.
Once you have changed money into USD, you should have the funds in your PayPal account almost immediately. You’ll now be able to complete the Hulu sign-up procedure and pay for Hulu using the US dollars in your PayPal account.
Remember that all of Hulu’s plans are rolling contracts, so you’ll need to have sufficient USD in your PayPal account each month to continue your Hulu subscription. You may want to exchange a lump sum of money to USD.
Can I Use a Gift Card to Pay for Hulu?
A Hulu gift card is another way to pay for a Hulu subscription. You can get a gift card for Hulu from participating US retail stores such as Walmart. Fortunately, many of these stores send the gift card in an e-mail, meaning you don’t have to be physically based in the US to get one.
However, the catch with ordering a Hulu gift card online still means that you need a US form of payment to buy one. You’ll also need to use a VPN to change your IP address to the US to bypass geo-restrictions on the site. Therefore, it is best to use the PayPal method to pay for Hulu from outside the US.
Is a VPN Essential to Watch Hulu outside the US?
Hulu is only available in the US, some parts of Japan, Puerto Rico, and at US military bases. Therefore, if you don’t have an IP address from one of these places, Hulu will immediately block you from attempting to access the service.
Even though you can get a Hulu account as an add-on if you have a Disney+ or Spotify subscription, you’ll only be able to do so by being based in the US. Therefore, a VPN is a must if you want access to all streaming services, regardless of your physical location.
Hi, I'm Madeleine. I'm a British writer with a global background, currently based in the UK.
I have always been interested in the online world and how it connects people worldwide. My keen interest in the internet led me to ...
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