How to Watch The Yukon Assignment on Netflix in the US with a VPN (2026)

The Yukon Assignment (2018) is available in the Portuguese Netflix catalog, according to the latest available listings checked on November 15, 2026. Directed by British adventurer Chris Lucas, this documentary follows Chris and his father, Niall Lucas, on a 500-mile canoe expedition through the Canadian wilderness. The film explores survival, family relationships, and the challenges of traveling through remote landscapes. Netflix Portugal maintains an official title page for The Yukon Assignment. Portuguese viewers may also find it under the localized title A Missão Yukon.

The documentary is not currently available on Netflix US. American viewers can rent or purchase it through other services, but Portugal has a Netflix subscription listing. Private Internet Access (PIA), ExpressVPN, and NordVPN all offer Portuguese VPN connections. These services can provide Portuguese IP addresses, although connecting to Portugal does not automatically grant access to the country’s Netflix catalog.

Netflix can detect VPN connections and may restrict the available catalog to movies and shows with worldwide streaming rights. Therefore, a Portuguese VPN connection does not guarantee that The Yukon Assignment will appear or play. Netflix also does not support VPN connections on ad-supported plans. Before proceeding, review Netflix’s official VPN guidance and the relevant VPN provider’s usage restrictions.

How to watch The Yukon Assignment on Netflix with a VPN

Netflix Portugal lists The Yukon Assignment, but viewing it from the United States depends on licensing agreements, VPN detection, subscription restrictions, and applicable service terms. The following steps explain how to check a Portuguese VPN connection and determine whether Netflix permits playback.

1. Choose a VPN provider. Private Internet Access ranks first in this comparison, followed by ExpressVPN and NordVPN. Review the provider’s streaming restrictions before establishing a connection.
2. Download and install the VPN application from its official website. Launch the application and sign in using your existing VPN account.
3. Connect to Portugal. PIA offers Portugal and PT Streaming Optimized, ExpressVPN lists Portugal, and NordVPN provides Portuguese connections through Lisbon.
4. Fully close Netflix. Exit the application or close every Netflix browser tab to end the previous session.
5. Reopen Netflix after establishing the VPN connection. Confirm that your VPN application reports an active Portuguese connection.
6. Sign in to your existing Netflix account. A VPN does not automatically change your subscription, account credentials, or billing information.
7. Search for The Yukon Assignment. You can also try A Missão Yukon, the Portuguese title, if Netflix does not recognize the English name.
8. Start playback if Netflix displays the documentary and permits access under your subscription and applicable service terms.

The Portuguese Netflix listing identifies The Yukon Assignment as a 2018 British nature documentary starring Chris Lucas and Niall Lucas. It provides English original audio and subtitles in English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese. The documentary runs approximately 86 minutes.

You can inspect the Portuguese Netflix page for A Missão Yukon before opening the application. The official listing describes a father and son who must depend on one another while canoeing through Canada’s wilderness.

Some streaming databases categorize the documentary as a 2019 release, reflecting later distribution dates. However, Netflix identifies it as a 2018 documentary, which matches its original UK theatrical release.

If the movie does not appear in your Netflix search results, Netflix may have recognized your VPN. Regional licensing changes, account profile settings, and language preferences can also affect visibility. A successful Portuguese VPN connection does not mean Netflix will automatically provide access to every title in the Portuguese catalog.

Best VPNs for watching The Yukon Assignment on Netflix

Private Internet Access, ExpressVPN, and NordVPN maintain documented Portuguese server locations. Their available connection options, infrastructure, and VPN protocols differ. The following comparison summarizes their officially published Portuguese locations.

VPN	Server locations in Portugal	Option to try first
Private Internet Access (Editor’s Choice)	Portugal and PT Streaming Optimized; PIA’s Portugal product page describes a virtual Lisbon location	Portugal for a standard connection, or PT Streaming Optimized for permitted local streaming
ExpressVPN	Portugal; no separate Portuguese city entries in its official server directory	Portugal
NordVPN	Lisbon; 36 Portuguese servers displayed in its official country directory	Automatic Portugal server selection

These options reflect official provider documentation available in November 2026. Server counts, location labels, and network infrastructure may change. None of these VPN providers guarantees access to The Yukon Assignment or the complete Portuguese Netflix catalog.

1. Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access is the Editor’s Choice because it offers a standard Portuguese connection, a dedicated streaming-optimized entry, and support for WireGuard and OpenVPN. These features make PIA a flexible option for secure internet access and permitted streaming.

According to PIA’s official server directory, Portugal has two selectable entries: Portugal and PT Streaming Optimized.

PIA does not list separate Portuguese city entries in this application directory. Its Portugal VPN page describes a virtual Lisbon location that provides a Portuguese IP address.

PT Streaming Optimized is the specialized connection intended for permitted streaming activity. PIA offers these locations to provide a more stable streaming experience, although it does not guarantee access to every movie in a regional Netflix catalog.

To connect, launch the PIA application and open the VPN SERVER section. Search for Portugal or select the country from the location list. Choose the appropriate entry and activate the connection.

PIA’s official streaming support guide explains how to find specialized locations by entering streaming in the server search field.

The same guide instructs subscribers to select a streaming server in the country where they are physically located. It also states that users must comply with streaming platforms’ terms and geographic restrictions.

For standard Portuguese connections, the regular Portugal entry is a reasonable starting point. The PT Streaming Optimized entry provides a specialized alternative for permitted local streaming and troubleshooting.

PIA supports WireGuard and OpenVPN. WireGuard generally offers efficient encrypted connections with relatively low protocol overhead, making it suitable for bandwidth-intensive activities on compatible networks.

OpenVPN provides an established alternative when compatibility issues or network restrictions affect a connection. Some workplace, public Wi-Fi, or institutional networks may interfere with particular VPN protocols or ports.

To change protocols, disconnect from PIA, open Settings, select Protocols, and switch between WireGuard and OpenVPN. Reconnect and check whether the new configuration improves connectivity.

PIA also provides virtual server locations. These connections assign an IP address associated with a selected country even when the physical VPN infrastructure operates elsewhere.

Its virtual server documentation explains this arrangement and lists locations that use infrastructure hosted in other countries.

There is a documentation inconsistency worth noting. PIA’s Portugal product page explicitly describes virtual Lisbon infrastructure, while its centralized virtual-location table does not separately identify Portugal. The available documentation does not clearly reconcile these descriptions or establish the physical hosting country for that Portuguese connection.

Therefore, users should not assume that PIA’s Portuguese IP addresses always originate from hardware physically hosted in Portugal. The provider confirms Portuguese IP availability but does not establish all infrastructure details consistently across its published resources.

Streaming performance depends on the underlying internet connection, network routing, congestion, and the distance between the user and the VPN infrastructure. Connections from the United States to Europe may introduce more latency than domestic connections.

PIA recommends clearing browser cookies and cached information when websites behave unexpectedly. Disconnecting and reconnecting, updating the VPN application, and testing another supported protocol may also help resolve ordinary connectivity problems.

These troubleshooting steps do not override Netflix’s licensing requirements. A working VPN tunnel and a Portuguese IP address do not guarantee access to The Yukon Assignment.

PIA also explicitly prohibits using its service to circumvent geographic restrictions imposed by content providers. Its first-place ranking here reflects its documented Portuguese connection options and privacy features, not permission to bypass Netflix’s regional licensing rules.

2. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN ranks second because it offers Portuguese VPN coverage, modern connection protocols, and upgraded server infrastructure. Its network provides a straightforward country-level connection for users seeking a Portuguese IP address.

The ExpressVPN server directory lists Portugal as an available location. Unlike countries where the company publishes multiple city entries, its official directory does not list separate selectable Portuguese cities.

Therefore, Portugal is the appropriate location to select first. Users should not assume that Lisbon or Porto appears as a separate server choice unless ExpressVPN adds such entries to its application or documentation.

To connect, open the ExpressVPN application, sign in, and access the server-location selector. Search for Portugal and choose the available country entry. Activate the connection and confirm that ExpressVPN reports an established VPN tunnel.

The company’s Portugal VPN page describes its Portuguese connections, privacy features, and support for users who want to protect internet traffic.

ExpressVPN supports Lightway UDP, Lightway TCP, WireGuard, OpenVPN UDP, OpenVPN TCP, and IKEv2 for its Portuguese location, subject to application and operating-system compatibility.

Lightway is ExpressVPN’s proprietary VPN protocol. It aims to establish efficient connections and maintain stability when networks change. WireGuard provides another modern connection option, while OpenVPN offers compatibility with many different network environments.

ExpressVPN recommends automatic protocol selection for most subscribers. Its application can choose an appropriate supported protocol without requiring manual configuration.

If the default connection becomes unstable, users can compare Lightway TCP and UDP or select another supported protocol. TCP connections may help on some networks where UDP traffic encounters restrictions, although performance can vary.

ExpressVPN also documents upgraded 40Gbps infrastructure for Portugal. This figure represents shared server capacity rather than a guaranteed individual download speed.

Actual performance depends on the user’s internet connection, server load, routing, and network congestion. A high-capacity server cannot eliminate every delay associated with long-distance connections.

ExpressVPN also distinguishes physical and virtual server locations. According to its official virtual-server documentation, some locations use physical hardware in another country while assigning an IP address associated with the selected destination.

Portugal does not appear in ExpressVPN’s published virtual-server list. The company states that locations absent from this list have physical infrastructure within their specified country.

This supports classifying ExpressVPN’s Portuguese connection as physically hosted in Portugal. However, the company does not disclose the exact data-center address or city of every individual server.

If a website fails to load correctly, ExpressVPN users can restart the application, reconnect to Portugal, verify the underlying internet connection, or try another supported protocol.

Clearing browser cookies and cached website data may also resolve outdated session information. These actions can improve ordinary connectivity but cannot guarantee access to regional Netflix movies.

Netflix may detect an ExpressVPN connection and restrict its catalog to globally licensed titles. Choosing Portugal or changing VPN protocols does not guarantee that The Yukon Assignment will appear.

ExpressVPN also requires users to comply with applicable laws and third-party service terms. Its Portuguese server coverage should not be interpreted as authorization to circumvent Netflix’s regional restrictions.

3. NordVPN

NordVPN ranks third and provides Portuguese server coverage through Lisbon. Its official country page currently displays 36 Portuguese servers, although the page also uses broader marketing language describing more than 20 servers. These figures may change as NordVPN updates its network.

According to NordVPN’s official Portugal server page, users can establish a Portuguese IP address by selecting Portugal on the country map or choosing the destination from the server list.

Lisbon is the documented Portuguese city. NordVPN does not identify additional Portuguese cities on this country page, so users should not assume that Porto or other locations are available as separate server choices.

NordVPN’s automatic server-selection system provides a convenient starting point. Open the application, select Portugal, and let the service choose an available Portuguese server.

Users who need more control can open the server-selection interface and manually choose another available server within Portugal. This can help diagnose ordinary connection problems when one server is congested or temporarily unavailable.

NordVPN uses NordLynx, its implementation of the WireGuard protocol. NordLynx focuses on efficient encrypted connections and aims to reduce unnecessary protocol overhead.

The service also supports additional connection protocols on compatible devices, although the available options may differ across operating systems and application versions.

Another important NordVPN feature is SmartPlay. According to NordVPN’s SmartPlay documentation, the feature activates automatically whenever a user establishes a VPN connection through the NordVPN application.

SmartPlay combines encrypted VPN traffic, IP address masking, and DNS-related functionality. Users do not need to download a separate application or manually enable the feature.

NordVPN distinguishes SmartPlay from standalone SmartDNS services. SmartDNS changes DNS-related settings without offering the same encrypted VPN tunnel, while SmartPlay operates alongside NordVPN’s security protections.

However, SmartPlay does not guarantee access to Netflix Portugal. Netflix may recognize VPN traffic and restrict access to regionally licensed movies regardless of the selected VPN provider.

NordVPN also supports specialty connections such as Double VPN and obfuscated servers for certain privacy requirements. The availability of these options depends on the chosen country and connection configuration.

These specialized features do not establish permission to view restricted Netflix titles. Users should select connection types according to their privacy needs rather than assuming that additional encryption or routing will unlock regional content.

If a NordVPN connection becomes unstable, disconnect and reconnect to Portugal. You can also manually choose another available Portuguese server or restart the application.

NordVPN’s Netflix troubleshooting guide provides further connection checks for users experiencing playback problems.

Overall streaming performance depends on internet speed, server congestion, the selected protocol, and the distance between the user and the VPN endpoint. NordLynx can provide an efficient encrypted connection, but it cannot guarantee a particular streaming speed or regional Netflix access.

NordVPN requires subscribers to respect copyright regulations and applicable service restrictions. Its Portuguese server network and SmartPlay functionality cannot guarantee access to The Yukon Assignment from the United States.

What to do if The Yukon Assignment does not appear

If The Yukon Assignment does not appear in Netflix search results, the issue may involve geographic licensing, VPN detection, outdated browser information, or account restrictions. The following steps can help diagnose ordinary connection and account problems.

1. Close Netflix completely. Exit the Netflix application or close all browser tabs associated with the service.
2. Disconnect from the VPN. Confirm that the application no longer reports an active connection.
3. Reconnect to Portugal if that connection complies with your VPN provider’s and Netflix’s applicable terms.
4. Try another Portuguese server or location where the provider offers one. This may help diagnose connection problems but does not guarantee access to a regional catalog.
5. Clear Netflix cookies and browser cache to remove outdated session information.
6. Open an incognito or private browser window to check whether existing browser data causes the problem.
7. Reopen Netflix and sign in using your existing account. Confirm that you have selected the intended profile.
8. Search for The Yukon Assignment again. You can also try A Missão Yukon, the Portuguese title, if the English name does not appear.

PIA users can compare the standard Portugal entry with PT Streaming Optimized when troubleshooting permitted connections. PIA’s official streaming policy requires subscribers to respect geographic restrictions and recommends using a server in their physical country.

ExpressVPN users can reconnect to Portugal and compare supported protocols, such as Lightway and OpenVPN. The official server directory lists Portugal as a country-level option without additional Portuguese city entries.

NordVPN users can let the application select another Portuguese server automatically or manually choose an available Lisbon connection. NordLynx and SmartPlay may assist with connection efficiency, but neither overrides Netflix’s regional licensing rules.

Netflix’s missing movie troubleshooting guide identifies geographic licensing, VPN recognition, profile maturity settings, and language preferences as possible reasons a movie does not appear.

For this documentary, also check the release year and localized title. Netflix categorizes it as a 2018 documentary, although some streaming listings use 2019. The Portuguese name A Missão Yukon refers to the same production featuring Chris Lucas and Niall Lucas.

If the documentary remains unavailable, changing VPN servers may not solve the problem. Netflix recommends disabling VPN connections when they interfere with normal viewing. American viewers can also rent or purchase the documentary through legitimate US services.

Netflix may detect the VPN

A VPN routes internet traffic through a remote server and replaces the public IP address that websites ordinarily see. When a user connects to Portugal, websites generally see a Portuguese IP address associated with the VPN endpoint.

However, changing the visible IP address does not automatically grant access to Netflix Portugal. The streaming platform licenses movies and television shows separately across different countries.

According to Netflix’s official VPN policy, subscribers using a VPN may see only movies and television shows for which Netflix holds worldwide streaming rights.

Consequently, The Yukon Assignment may remain absent from search results even when the VPN establishes a Portuguese connection successfully.

Netflix may also display a VPN-related error or request that the subscriber disable the VPN. Its guidance recommends turning off VPN connections when they interfere with access to content available in the user’s region.

Private Internet Access, ExpressVPN, and NordVPN cannot guarantee access to Netflix Portugal. Server selection, connection protocols, and DNS-related features do not eliminate the platform’s licensing restrictions.

Can you use a Netflix ad-supported plan with a VPN?

No. Netflix explicitly states that its ad-supported experience does not support VPN connections. This restriction applies regardless of whether a subscriber selects PIA, ExpressVPN, or NordVPN.

Subscribers may encounter an error or a message requesting that they disable their VPN or proxy service. Netflix recommends disconnecting the VPN to restore normal viewing.

An ad-free Netflix subscription avoids that specific restriction, but it does not guarantee access to another country’s movie catalog. Netflix may still recognize VPN traffic and limit the titles it displays.

For more information, read Netflix’s official VPN error guidance.

Does changing the VPN location change your Netflix account?

No. Connecting to a Portuguese VPN server changes the public IP address visible to websites, but it does not automatically change your Netflix email address, password, profiles, billing details, or subscription plan.

Netflix maintains separate national catalogs because distribution rights vary across regions. A documentary available through Netflix Portugal may not appear in Netflix US.

Netflix’s account country guidance explains that subscribers cannot simply change their account country without moving. The service may also restrict regional titles when it detects a VPN.

American viewers who want to watch The Yukon Assignment without relying on international Netflix access can check JustWatch US streaming alternatives. The latest available listing identifies Amazon Video rental and purchase options rather than Netflix subscription streaming. Prices and availability may change.

Which VPN should you use?

Private Internet Access ranks first as the Editor’s Choice because it offers Portugal and PT Streaming Optimized connections alongside WireGuard and OpenVPN support. Its Portuguese IP options and configurable protocols provide flexibility for privacy and permitted streaming. PIA describes a virtual Lisbon location on its Portugal product page, although its centralized virtual-server list does not separately identify Portugal. The company also explicitly prohibits circumventing geographic restrictions imposed by content providers.

ExpressVPN ranks second with its officially documented Portugal location, Lightway, WireGuard, OpenVPN, and upgraded 40Gbps infrastructure. NordVPN ranks third with Lisbon coverage, 36 Portuguese servers displayed in its country directory, NordLynx, automatic server selection, and SmartPlay. Both providers offer useful secure-connection features, but neither guarantees access to Netflix’s Portuguese catalog.

As of November 15, 2026, the available Netflix Portugal and JustWatch Portugal listings support the availability of The Yukon Assignment (2018), also known locally as A Missão Yukon. JustWatch US does not list the documentary on Netflix US. Nevertheless, regional licensing, Netflix VPN detection, subscription restrictions, and provider terms mean that a Portuguese VPN connection cannot guarantee playback from the United States.