Where is Proton Mail blocked?

Proton Mail is blocked or restricted in 3 of the 130 countries we track. Updated November 2026.

Proton Mail is an encrypted email service from Switzerland. Russia blocked it in January 2020, saying it had been used to send hoax bomb threats, after Proton refused to register with the authorities.

Is Proton Mail safe?

Blocked 3

North Korea
Russia since Jan 2020
Blocked after Proton refused to join Russia's register of online services.
Turkmenistan

How to unblock Proton Mail

🇷🇺 Proton Mail in Russia

Proton Mail works normally in 127 countries

The 3 VPNs that fit Proton Mail

Picked for privacy and getting messages through.

Proton VPN

Swiss-based with open-source apps and a free tier, plus a Stealth protocol for restrictive networks.

For strict networks: the Stealth protocol.

Try Proton VPN

ExpressVPN

Obfuscation is switched on automatically on every server, so there is no special mode to find.

For strict networks: automatic obfuscation.

Try ExpressVPN

NordVPN

Largest network of the six, with the NordWhisper protocol for networks that inspect traffic.

For strict networks: NordWhisper or obfuscated servers.

Try NordVPN

Not sure about these three? See 3 more VPNs Private Internet Access, Surfshark and CyberGhost

Private Internet Access

Open-source apps, unlimited devices and servers in every US state, at a low price.

For strict networks: the Shadowsocks proxy option.

Try Private Internet Access

Surfshark

Unlimited devices on one plan, with NoBorders mode that switches on in restrictive regions.

For strict networks: NoBorders mode.

Try Surfshark

CyberGhost

Servers labelled for specific streaming services and a 45-day refund window on longer plans.

For strict networks: a nearby server.

Try CyberGhost

Top 3 for Proton Mail at a glance

VPN	Score out of 100	Stealth	Connection	Privacy	Status
1. Proton VPN	93 / 100	The Stealth protocol (8/10)	—	10/10	—
2. ExpressVPN	84 / 100	Automatic obfuscation (10/10)	—	8/10	—
3. NordVPN	84 / 100	NordWhisper or obfuscated servers (9/10)	—	8/10	—

Scores are out of 100 for this app, without a country connection factor. Stealth and Privacy are the ranking’s 0–10 factors.

Questions people ask

Which countries block Proton Mail?

Proton Mail is blocked in North Korea, Russia and Turkmenistan.

Which VPN is best for Proton Mail?

Our picks are Proton VPN, ExpressVPN and NordVPN. Picked for privacy and getting messages through. Open your country's page to see which one is connecting there this week.

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