Host Telegram Bots & Proxies (MTProto) on a Dutch VPS: The Complete Guide

Table of Contents

• Setting up a Server for Telegram API
• Hosting Telegram Bots on a VPS
• Installing and Configuring an MTProto Proxy on a VPS
• Creating a Hidden Telegram Proxy to Bypass Blocks
• Comparison Table: Hosting Telegram Bots and MTProto Proxies
• Conclusions

Hey there, friend! If you’ve long dreamed of creating your own server environment for Telegram, then this article is for you. Here, we’ll detail how to host Telegram bots and Telegram proxies (MTProto) on a VPS in the Netherlands. You’ll learn how to properly configure a server to work with the Telegram API, install and run an MTProto proxy to bypass blocks, and how to make it as hidden and secure as possible. Let’s dive together into the world of modern technologies and set everything up step-by-step!

Setting up a Server for Telegram API

First, we need to prepare the server. A VPS in the Netherlands provides a stable connection and a high level of anonymity – excellent conditions for working with the Telegram API. Let’s start by updating the system and installing the necessary packages. In the terminal, execute the following commands:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade -y
sudo apt install python3 python3-pip python3-venv git -y

After the update, let’s create a working directory for the Telegram bot and set up a virtual environment:

mkdir telegram_bot
cd telegram_bot
python3 -m venv venv
source venv/bin/activate

Let’s upgrade pip and install the python-telegram-bot library, which will help us interact with the Telegram API:

pip install --upgrade pip
pip install python-telegram-bot

Now get a bot token through @BotFather on Telegram and save it – you’ll need it for further configuration.

Below is an example of a simple script that will allow you to launch the bot:

#!/usr/bin/env python3
from telegram.ext import Updater, CommandHandler

def start(update, context):
    update.message.reply_text('Hello! I am running on a VPS in the Netherlands.')

def main():
    updater = Updater("YOUR_TELEGRAM_BOT_TOKEN", use_context=True)
    dp = updater.dispatcher
    dp.add_handler(CommandHandler("start", start))
    updater.start_polling()
    updater.idle()

if __name__ == '__main__':
    main()

Save this file as bot.py and run it with the command:

python3 bot.py

To ensure continuous bot operation, it’s recommended to configure it as a systemd service. Create the file /etc/systemd/system/telegram_bot.service with the following content:

[Unit]
Description=Telegram Bot Service
After=network.target

[Service]
User=your_username
WorkingDirectory=/home/your_username/telegram_bot
ExecStart=/home/your_username/telegram_bot/venv/bin/python3 bot.py
Restart=always

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target

Then activate and start the service:

sudo systemctl daemon-reload
sudo systemctl start telegram_bot
sudo systemctl enable telegram_bot

Now your server is ready to work with the Telegram API, and the bot is running and listening for commands.

Hosting Telegram Bots on a VPS

Hosting Telegram bots on a VPS in the Netherlands is a great way to ensure high availability and stable operation of your applications. In addition to the basic Telegram API configuration, you can integrate additional services such as monitoring systems, automatic restarts, and data backups.

If your bot processes a large amount of data, consider installing a database. For example, for PostgreSQL, execute the command:

sudo apt install postgresql postgresql-contrib -y

Alternatively, you can use the built-in SQLite database if the project is small. Also, don’t forget about monitoring tools like tmux or screen to run the bot in terminal sessions and track logs in real time.

Hosting Telegram bots allows you not only to ensure around-the-clock operation but also to quickly scale the project, adding new features and integrations. Regularly updating libraries and the system will help maintain security and performance.

Installing and Configuring an MTProto Proxy on a VPS

The MTProto proxy is a key tool for bypassing Telegram blocks, allowing users to safely connect to the service even with restrictions from providers. Let’s look at how to install and configure an MTProto proxy on a VPS in the Netherlands.

First, update the system and install the necessary tools:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install git build-essential -y

Clone the official MTProto proxy repository:

git clone https://github.com/TelegramMessenger/MTProxy.git
cd MTProxy

Compile the source code:

make

After successful compilation, you need to generate a secret for connection. To do this, execute the command:

head -c 16 /dev/urandom | xxd -ps

Remember the resulting value; you’ll need it to run the proxy. Now start the MTProto proxy using the generated secret. Example command:

./objs/bin/mtproto-proxy -u nobody -p 8888 -H YOUR_SECRET -S "SecretString" -M 1

Command parameters:

• -u nobody – run as an unprivileged user;
• -p 8888 – port for connecting to the proxy;
• -H YOUR_SECRET – the generated secret;
• -S "SecretString" – additional security string;
• -M 1 – MTProto proxy operating mode.

Make sure port 8888 is open in the firewall settings:

sudo ufw allow 8888/tcp

After starting, a link to connect to the proxy will appear in the console, which you can give to users.

Creating a Hidden Telegram Proxy to Bypass Blocks

Sometimes a standard MTProto proxy can be detected or blocked, so it’s useful to make it as hidden as possible. One of the most effective ways is to integrate the proxy with the Nginx web server to create an additional layer of obfuscation. This way, users will connect to your domain, and the actual server will remain hidden.

Let’s install Nginx:

sudo apt install nginx -y

Create a new configuration file for proxying the MTProto proxy, for example, /etc/nginx/sites-available/mtproto:

server {
    listen 80;
    server_name your_custom_domain.com;

    location / {
        proxy_pass http://127.0.0.1:8888;
        proxy_http_version 1.1;
        proxy_set_header Upgrade $http_upgrade;
        proxy_set_header Connection "upgrade";
        proxy_set_header Host $host;
    }
}

Activate the new site and restart Nginx:

sudo ln -s /etc/nginx/sites-available/mtproto /etc/nginx/sites-enabled/
sudo nginx -t
sudo systemctl reload nginx

For increased security, it is recommended to install an SSL certificate. The most popular solution is Certbot:

sudo apt install certbot python3-certbot-nginx -y
sudo certbot --nginx -d your_custom_domain.com

After installing and configuring the certificate, your proxy will be available via the secure HTTPS protocol, which will increase the level of anonymity and security.

As Leonardo da Vinci said:

«Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.»

Thus, using Nginx for reverse proxying and SSL certificates, you create a hidden Telegram proxy that effectively bypasses blocks and maintains user privacy.

Comparison Table: Hosting Telegram Bots and MTProto Proxies

Below is a table comparing the key features of hosting Telegram bots and setting up an MTProto proxy on a VPS in the Netherlands:

Conclusions

In this article, we have detailed how to host Telegram bots and Telegram proxies (MTProto) on a VPS in the Netherlands. We’ve gone from basic server setup for working with the Telegram API, creating and deploying a simple bot, to installing and configuring an MTProto proxy to bypass blocks. Special attention was paid to obfuscation methods and integration with Nginx, which allows you to make the proxy as hidden and secure as possible.

Using the instructions described, you can create a reliable server environment capable of operating 24/7, providing stable access to Telegram for both bots and users seeking to bypass blocks. Regular system updates, log monitoring, and proper use of security tools are key factors for success in this endeavor.

I hope this guide will be useful to you and help you master hosting Telegram bots and configuring MTProto proxies on a VPS in the Netherlands. If you have any questions or want to share your experience, feel free to leave comments. Good luck with your development, safe work, and achieving new heights!