How to watch RTL live online
RTL's live stream is part of RTL+, RTL's own streaming service, in its paid plans. As a paid service, RTL+ keeps working for German subscribers on temporary stays in the EU.
RTL+ has a free part with some shows on demand and paid plans with live TV. On TV, RTL is a free channel in Germany.
- Country
- Germany
- Run by
- RTL Deutschland (Bertelsmann)
- Type
- General
- Language
- German
- Live, in German
- RTL im Livestream
- Watch live
- RTL+
- Cost at home
- Paid plans; see RTL+ for prices
- Abroad
- Partly: paid RTL+ on EU trips
- Checked
- 2 November 2026
Can you watch RTL abroad?
As a paid service, RTL+ falls under the EU portability rule: subscribers living in Germany keep their access on temporary stays in another EU or EEA country. Some programmes, such as certain sport, can still be missing abroad because of rights.
Outside the EU and EEA, RTL+ is not offered.
No official way abroad
RTL has no international version of RTL+ outside the EU and EEA.
Watch RTL in the UK, the USA, Australia and more
RTL in the UK, the USA and Australia
We found no official way to watch RTL live in the UK, the USA or Australia.
RTL in Spain, the Netherlands and Italy
Only on a short trip. On a short trip from Germany, paid streaming plans keep working under the EU portability rule; free apps do not have to.
Apps for RTL: TV, phone and laptop
What is RTL?
RTL is Germany's biggest private TV channel, paid for by adverts. It is known for Wer wird Millionär?, Deutschland sucht den Superstar, the RTL Aktuell news and live football.
Not to be confused with RTL in Luxembourg, Belgium or the Netherlands, which are different channels.
RTL: common questions
Is RTL free to stream?
On TV in Germany, yes. Online, the live stream is in the paid RTL+ plans.
Can I use RTL+ abroad?
On temporary stays in the EU and EEA with a paid plan, yes. Outside the EU, no.
Is RTL the same as RTL 4?
No. RTL 4 is a Dutch channel from RTL Nederland.
Which app do I need to watch RTL live?
RTL+ (Germany; EU trips with a paid plan): web, phones, tablets, smart TVs, streaming sticks.
Can I watch RTL on a smart TV?
Yes. RTL+ has an app for smart TVs and streaming sticks (Germany; EU trips with a paid plan).
Can I watch RTL in the USA?
We found no official way to watch RTL live in the USA.
Where the facts come from
We check every fact on the broadcaster's own pages, or on two independent sources that agree.
- RTL+
- EUR-Lex: Regulation (EU) 2017/1128 (portability)
- netzwelt: RTL+ channels, plans, prices and devices
Last checked: 2 November 2026. Prices and rules change: the official pages always win.
