La Liga vs. NordVPN & Proton VPN: What the Spanish Court Order Means for Router Users
Key takeaways
- Spain’s court order treats VPN providers as intermediaries that can be compelled to enforce blocks inside their infrastructure.
- The blocks can be updated dynamically during match weekends (not a single static list).
- Because many services share IP ranges/CDNs, enforcement can cause overblocking that hits legitimate sites.
- If you rely only on a VPN app, you’re dependent on the provider’s servers and distribution channels (app stores, platform rules, etc.).
- A VPN router setup can reduce per-device friction and make it easier to swap endpoints/configs when a specific server range is impacted.
Spain just made legal history — and if you rely on a VPN app to protect your privacy or access streaming content, you need to pay attention.
The Commercial Court No. 1 of Córdoba granted an emergency injunction to LaLiga and its broadcast partner Telefónica Audiovisual Digital, ordering NordVPN and Proton VPN to immediately block IP addresses transmitting illegal LaLiga streams — with no right of appeal, and without notifying either company before the ruling was handed down.
Both NordVPN and Proton VPN found out the same way everyone else did: by reading the news.
What this does NOT mean
- This does not mean VPNs are “illegal” in Spain or the EU.
- This does not mean a VPN router is “immune” to provider-level blocking (if a provider blocks a server/IP range, you may still need to switch endpoints).
- This does mean courts are now pressuring VPN infrastructure directly, which can create outages and collateral damage users can’t predict.
What the Spanish Court Actually Ordered
The ruling was issued inaudita parte (without hearing the other side) and classifies VPN providers as "technological intermediaries" under the EU Digital Services Regulation — meaning courts can now compel VPN companies to enforce blocks inside their own infrastructure.
The order is dynamic: LaLiga can update the blocked IP list in real time every match weekend. No fixed list, no cap, no appeals.
How We Got Here: The Escalation Timeline
Paris Judicial Court orders major VPN providers to block 200+ illegal sports streaming sites for Canal+. Still under appeal.
Córdoba court orders NordVPN & Proton VPN to block illegal LaLiga stream IPs dynamically, every match weekend. Neither company was present in court.
Broad IP blocking can sweep in unrelated services that share IP space (CDNs, shared hosting, cloud platforms).
Results in Spain and France will shape strategy across Europe and beyond. VPN app availability and network-level enforcement are now part of the same conversation.
"If the company were asked to vandalize the internet by blocking legitimate sites, we would obviously contest that."
— David Peterson, General Manager, Proton VPNWhy VPN Apps Are Vulnerable
The fundamental issue: when you use a VPN app, you are dependent on that company’s servers, policies, and platform distribution (and you may have limited visibility into what’s being blocked and why).
If You Notice Blocks or Outages: What to Do
If a stream or site suddenly fails during a high-enforcement window (like match weekends), it can look like “the VPN is down” when it’s actually a blocked server/IP range. Practical steps:
- Switch servers/locations inside your VPN provider (try a nearby country or a different city).
- Change protocol if your provider supports it (some blocks are more effective against specific paths).
- Use policy-based routing so only the devices that need it use the VPN while others stay direct.
- If you’re using a VPN router, swap endpoints/configs without touching every device on your network.
VPN App vs. VPN Router: Real-World Use Cases
Not all VPN setups are equal. Here’s how they compare for everyday use:
| Use Case | VPN App Only | FlashRouter + NordVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Smart TV / Fire TV / Apple TV | ✗No app support on most devices | ✓Whole-network coverage |
| Gaming consoles (PS5, Xbox, Switch) | ✗No native VPN app | ✓Covered via router Wi-Fi |
| Infrastructure-level blocking events | ✗Limited control if your active server range is blocked | ✓Easier to swap endpoints/configs network-wide |
| App store restrictions / removals | ✗If you can’t install the app, you can’t use it | ✓Not dependent on per-device installs |
| Shared-IP collateral damage | ✗Stuck if the server range is impacted | ✓Switch servers quickly |
| Always-on protection | △Manual on/off per device | ✓Always-on at the network level |
| Smart home / IoT devices | ✗No app support | ✓Automatic coverage |
| Travel (hotel, Airbnb) | ✓Works on phone & laptop | ✓Travel router option |
Exclusive NordVPN Deals With Your FlashRouter
Buy a NordVPN-ready FlashRouter and add an exclusive NordVPN subscription directly at checkout — no separate signup, no app store, no hassle.
ⓘ Pricing shown is our exclusive FlashRouters add-on pricing, available at checkout on eligible routers. If you return your router, the full retail price of the subscription may be charged.
What Comes Next?
Courts are now targeting VPN infrastructure directly — not just piracy sites. Until these orders are appealed or clarified, users who rely solely on VPN apps may face unpredictable disruptions (including overblocking) with limited visibility into what changed.
The answer isn’t to stop using a VPN — it’s to use one in a way that gives you more control and faster recovery when a specific server range or endpoint is impacted.
Get NordVPN pre-configured on your router
Less per-device hassle. Easier endpoint switching. Whole-network privacy that doesn’t depend on every device having an app.
FAQ
Can a court force a VPN provider to block IPs?
In some jurisdictions, courts can classify VPNs as intermediaries and order network-level enforcement. When that enforcement is “dynamic,” the blocked set can change over time, which increases the odds of disruption and accidental overblocking.
Why do legitimate sites sometimes get blocked?
Many websites share IP ranges and infrastructure (CDNs, shared hosting, and cloud platforms). If enforcement targets broad ranges, unrelated services can get swept up, causing “collateral damage” outages.
If my VPN stops working during a match weekend, what should I do?
Try switching servers/regions, changing protocol (if supported), and using policy-based routing so only specific devices use the VPN. If you use a VPN router setup, you can swap endpoints/configs for the whole network without touching every device.
Related Reading
La Liga vs. NordVPN & Proton VPN: What Spain's Court Order Means If You Use a VPN
BEST VPNs OF 2026
#1
#2
#3
