Torrenting in Spain in 2025: What You Need to Know

Torrenting is relatively safe in Spain since, unlike many countries, it permits downloading copyrighted material for personal use. However, that doesn’t mean torrenting is without risks. From swarm monitoring to malicious software, there are plenty of pitfalls to avoid.

That’s why I recommend using a VPN whenever you visit one of the torrent sites. Keep reading to learn about the best VPNs to help you torrent safely in Spain.

Key takeaways

1. Unlike many countries, torrenting copyrighted files for personal use is legal in Spain.
2. Avoid breaking any rules, like selling pirated content, or you could face criminal charges.
3. Even legal torrenting incurs risk, as public torrent sites are often used to distribute malware.
4. Using a VPN is essential for safe torrenting.
5. I recommend ExpressVPN as the best VPN for safe torrenting.

Is torrenting legal in Spain?

Yes. Not only is torrenting legal in Spain, but it has some of the most permissive torrenting laws around.

Unlike many other countries, downloading copyrighted content for personal use is considered legal as long as you are not distributing or selling the content to others for profit.

These same rules don’t apply to operators of pirate sites or pirate torrent trackers. Anyone who profits from selling copyrighted content can face heavy fines and up to 4 years in jail.

The tools and techniques used to track torrenting in Spain

Here’s how Spain tracks torrenting:

ISP monitoring

While there is a small risk of ISP monitoring, it’s not something you need to worry about much since downloading copyrighted content for personal use is completely legal in Spain.

Swarm monitoring

A swarm is a group of peers who share a specific file through the BitTorrent protocol. Swarm monitoring involves tracking the activity of users who participate in the file share.

Copyright trolls will use this data to try to extract monetary settlements for copyright infringements. This is more of an issue in countries where downloading copyrighted content for personal use is illegal, like in the United States.

Website blocking

 Many of the large public torrent sites, like Pirate Bay, are blocked by the major ISPs in Spain. You can still access these sites using a reputable VPN.

The risks of downloading torrents in Spain

In Spain, torrenting copyrighted material is permitted as long as it’s for personal use, but that doesn’t mean all forms of torrenting are completely risk-free. Here are some of the risks of downloading torrents in Spain.

Legal action

While the legal risks for downloading or seeding pirated content are very small, attempting to profit from illegal downloads is considered a criminal activity and you will held accountable. Penalties for operating pirate sites or pirate torrent trackers could include heavy fines and prison sentences ranging from 6 months to 4 years.

Lawsuits

The risk of legal action is low. However, there are people and organizations who scour the internet looking for individuals who have torrented copyrighted materials and will attempt to get a settlement payment for the copyright holders.

Malicious software

The security risks associated with downloading pirated content are high. The content on popular torrent sites is neither vetted nor verified, making it attractive to cyber criminals looking to distribute malware, stalkerware, adware, cryptolockers, or trojans.

How to torrent safely in Spain 

Keep your torrenting activities in Spain private and secure by taking the following precautions:

Use a secure VPN 

A quality VPN protects your identity and hides all of your online activities, making it a must-have tool for safe torrenting. The first thing a VPN does is hide your real IP address by connecting you to a remote server so your identity remains private.

Once you are connected to a VPN server, all of your data is passed through an encrypted tunnel, making it impossible for anyone, even your ISP, to see what you are doing or what content you are downloading.

Another benefit of using a VPN is you can choose the country you want to connect to. By selecting a VPN server in a torrenting-friendly country like Spain, you can download torrents safely from anywhere.

Activate your Kill Switch

No matter how good your VPN is, if your VPN connection drops unexpectedly, your IP address or data could be revealed. The good news is that accidental data leaks are easily preventable by activating your VPN’s automatic Kill Switch. This feature will automatically cut your internet connection the second your VPN drops, preventing any data or IP address leaks.

Use a reputable anti-virus

Torrent sites like BitTorrent are a common stomping ground for hackers looking to distribute malicious and executable software like malware, stalkerware, and adware. Make sure you’ve got a strong, reputable anti-virus package to keep you safe!

Stick with private trackers 

Private Trackers are exclusive, members-only torrenting communities which are typically interest-based. These torrent sites can be hard to find but are well worth the effort.

In addition to having a significantly lower risk of bad actors trying to spread malicious content, they also typically offer higher-quality content and faster download speeds.

If you can’t find a private tracker to join, make sure you only use reliable torrent sites.

3 best VPNs for torrenting in Spain

While it may be tempting to use a free VPN, most come with significant risks. Many free VPNs offer inferior safety features, and several have been known to sell browser histories to third parties for profit. Free VPNs also tend to be slow, so your torrents could take a very long time.

That’s why I put together this list of the 3 best VPNs for torrenting in Spain. Each one protects its users with robust security features and privacy protection. They also offer easy-to-use apps and good speed so you can torrent files safely and easily. I’ve included a range of pricing and features so you can find the one that matches your needs best.

1. ExpressVPN

Using a VPN is the best way to torrent safely, and ExpressVPN is the best VPN provider to get the job done! In addition to its high-end security features, it is exceptionally fast, highly reliable, and extremely user-friendly.

Features: I love all of ExpressVPN’s enhanced security features that offer an extra layer of protection against malicious actors like an ad-blocker, a tracker-blocker, malware protection, and port forwarding. It also comes with handy bonus features like a password manager and split tunneling. Its got a network of 3,000+ servers in 100 countries around the world, so you can always find a fast and nearby connection for quick torrents.

Speed: ExpressVPN’s blazing fast speeds mean you can download torrents safely in no time. During speed testing, I held on to an impressive 98% of my baseline speed when connected to a local server.

Privacy and security: ExpressVPN comes with strong security features, including AES 256-bit military-grade encryption, an independently audited no-logs policy, RAM-only servers, a Kill Switch, leak protection, and a selection of secure tunneling protocols to choose from.

Performance: ExpressVPN isn’t just for torrents! Users can count on flawless online browsing, gaming, and streaming with this premium VPN provider!

Streaming: There are tons of movies, TV shows, and games available for streaming online without having to engage in any illegal downloads of pirated content. You can use ExpressVPN to bypass geo-blocks so you can access content libraries from all over the world on Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, and more!

Compatibility: You can connect up to 8 devices simultaneously using ExpressVPN’s intuitive apps for Android, iOS, Linux, Windows, and macOS devices.

Pricing: You’ll pay $6.67/month when you sign up for the 12-month plan. It includes 3 bonus months, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days to cancel and get a full refund.

2. NordVPN

If you want a premium VPN service with strong encryption and excellent speed at a great value, check out NordVPN.

Features: NordVPN is loaded with extras. Some of my favorites are the Threat Protection Pro, the Dark Web Monitor, and the dedicated IP addresses. It also comes with a huge network of 7,100+ servers in 118 countries around the world, so it’s easy to find a quick Internet connection.

Speed: During speed testing, NordVPN held on to a whopping 97% of its baseline speed on local connections, which is more than fast enough for quick torrents of large files.

Privacy and security: NordVPN hides your real IP address and your online activities using AES 256-bit military-grade encryption, a strict no-logs policy, RAM-only servers, secure tunneling protocols, an automatic Kill Switch, and leak protection.

Performance: The fast and stable connections you get with NordVPN support uninterrupted torrenting, streaming, gaming, and browsing.

Streaming: If you love movies, torrent sites aren’t your only option. NordVPN can unblock geo-restricted movies and TV shows on popular streaming sites like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and more, so you can enjoy tons of titles without risking torrenting illegal or malware-infested content.

Compatibility: NordVPN has apps for Android, iOS, Linux, Windows, and macOS that are easy to use and set up. You can connect up to 10 devices simultaneously on each account.

Pricing: At $3.39/month for the 2-year basic plan, NordVPN is a great value. Subscriptions include 4 months free, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days to try it out risk-free.

3. Surfshark

The absolute best budget VPN for torrenting is Surfshark. Not only is it a highly reliable VPN, but it offers strong security and privacy protection, intuitive apps, and solid speeds. Best of all, you can connect an unlimited number of devices for one low cost.

Features: It’s tough to find a budget provider with premium features, but I’m happy to report that Surfshark is the exception to the rule. From its CleanWeb suite to its dedicated IP addresses, you’ll be able to set up your VPN connection to your liking. Its server network includes over 3,200 servers in 100 countries worldwide.

Speed: While it’s not as fast as ExpressVPN and NordVPN, Surfshark maintained 83% of its baseline speed on local servers and was fast enough for torrenting large files in a timely manner. If you find your torrent is unusually slow, ask the 24/7 live chat support to direct you to a faster server.

Privacy and security: You’ll be protected from any legal risks associated with torrenting with Surfshark’s AES 256-bit military-grade encryption, no logs policy, RAM-only servers, secure tunneling protocols, automatic Kill Switch, and robust leak protection.

Performance: In addition to safe and efficient torrenting, Surfshark supports smooth browsing, streaming, and gaming.

Streaming: Using a VPN, you can access geo-restricted movie and TV content from all over the world on popular streaming sites like Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, and more!

Compatibility: Connect an unlimited number of devices on a single Surfshark account. Its apps are user-friendly and compatible with iOS, Android, Linux, macOS, and Windows.

Pricing: Subscription costs start at just $1.99/month and include 4 free months, 24/7 support, and 30 days to cancel and get a full refund.

Torrenting in Spain: Tips & tricks

Here are some important tips and tricks for safe torrenting in Spain:

• Download to a sandbox. Another way to protect yourself from anyone trying to distribute malware is to first download your files to a sandboxed environment, which will shield your main system from malicious content.
• Use a VPN. Using a VPN is the best way to safely torrent in Spain. A quality VPN will hide your real IP address and pass all of your data through an encrypted tunnel, keeping your identity and your torrenting activities completely private and secure.
• Enable your VPN Kill Switch. Turning on your Kill Switch will protect you from accidentally leaking your real IP address or online activities should your VPN connection drop unexpectedly.
• Use a secure VPN protocol. Secure protocols include OpenVPN, WireGuard, NordLynx, Lightway, and IKEv2.
• Enable IP binding. Some VPNs allow you to configure your torrent client to only work with a specific IP address, ensuring you can only torrent when connected to your VPN.
• Use legal torrents. Avoid legal risks by staying away from illegal activities.
• Use reliable torrenting sites. Do your research and avoid sites that don’t have a solid reputation for safe downloads, like Pirate Bay, or better yet, use private trackers.
• Update your torrent client. Make sure you regularly update your torrent client to get the most up-to-date protection possible.
• Check seeder comments. Read the comments on popular torrent sites to help weed out any bad actors or unsafe downloads.
• Check your seeds. Look for torrents with a large number of verified seeders from multiple sources with positive reviews from other users.
• Check the file format. Regard any executable file as suspicious, especially if it is a compressed file. Avoid downloading torrent files ending in .exe.
• Use a strong antivirus. One of the most significant risks of downloading pirated content is malicious software embedded in the file and a good antivirus is a strong line of defense.

FAQ

Is it legal to torrent in Spain with a VPN?

Yes. Not only is it legal to torrent in Spain, but you can legally download copyrighted material as long as it’s just for your own enjoyment.

Can ISPs track torrenting in Spain?

Yes. ISPs can track torrenting in Spain, but there’s little risk of them doing so since it is considered legal to download copyrighted files as long as you aren’t selling them for profit.

Is piracy a crime in Spain?

Yes. If you are caught pirating or distributing copyrighted content, you could face heavy fines or prison time.

Conclusion

Torrenting in Spain can be both legal and secure, but only if you take the right precautions. By using a VPN like ExpressVPN, you can torrent without risking your privacy or security. Remember, even in a country with permissive laws like Spain, it’s better to stay on the safe side.