What this solves
Portugal runs on 230V at 50Hz and uses Type C and Type F plugs (the round two-pin Europlug and the round Schuko with side-earth clips). This is the same as most of continental Europe — your EU-region phone charger, hair dryer, and laptop brick work without an adapter. UK visitors are the main group that needs an adapter (UK plugs are Type G); US visitors need both an adapter and a 110V→230V step-up transformer for high-draw devices.
For EV drivers, Portugal runs the MOBI.e network — a national, interoperable charging network operated by MOBI.E (formerly MOBI.E Network, S.A.) with AC Type 2 and DC CCS2 connectors. Tesla has its own destination and Supercharger network (now opened to non-Tesla in 2024). This tool helps you pick which card to install, what adapter to bring, and what to expect on a rural drive through the Alentejo.
Pick your adapter / charging card
Tell us where you're from and what you're doing. The tool recommends what to bring or install.
How to read the result
- What to bring is the minimum physical hardware list — adapter(s) or cables.
- App / network is the digital card or app you'll need to charge. MOBI.e uses the MOBI.E app and a tag card; Tesla uses the Tesla app.
- Rural reliability is the realistic expectation for charging availability outside the main cities.
- Many shops in Lisbon and Porto also sell adapters for €4.95–€9.50. If you forgot one, a Worten or FNAC has them.
Plug, voltage & EV reference (2026)
Standards: EN 50075 (Type C), CEE 7/5 (Type F), IEC 62196 (Type 2 / CCS2). Source: DGEG and MOBI.E.
| Topic | Spec | Visitor reality |
|---|---|---|
| Voltage / frequency | 230V / 50Hz | Same as EU/Schengen. EU plugs work directly. UK needs adapter. Japan/US 110V devices need a transformer for high-draw (≥1kW) loads. |
| Plug types | C, F | C: 2-pin round, low-power. F: Schuko with side clips, earthed, all devices. Modern hotels provide F outlets at the desk and C outlets near the bed. |
| UK / Ireland adapter | Type G → Type C/F | Get one with side earth clips (Schuko-compatible), not just a pin adapter. €5–€10 at Worten or FNAC; €4.50 at a Lisbon airport FNAC. |
| US / Japan 110V device | Transformer 110→230V, ≥1.5kVA | Hair dryers, kettles, irons. Travel transformers weigh 2–3kg and run hot. Often cheaper to buy a 230V version locally. |
| EV — MOBI.e (national) | AC Type 2 / DC CCS2 | Operated by MOBI.E Network. Card + app from mobi-e.pt. ~5,000 charging stations, density per 50km in Iberian Peninsula. |
| EV — Tesla Supercharger | CCS2 (newer), Type 2 (older) | Opened to non-Tesla in 2024 via the Tesla app. Strong coverage on the A2/IP1 corridor Lisbon ↔ Algarve; weaker in the Alentejo interior. |
| EV — Tesla Destination | Type 2 (≤22kW) | Slow AC chargers at partner sites. Good for overnight at hotels and rural inns. |
| EV — Ionity / Ibergele | CCS2 (350kW) | Selective along the A1, A2, and A4. Pricing ~€0.79/kWhr. Best for cross-country. |
| E-bike / e-scooter | Type C charger | Same as a phone charger. Don't try to charge via a US transformer — too risky. |
Limitations
- Adapters and devices are not one-size-fits-all. A US hair dryer at 1875W into a €10 travel transformer risks overheating. Use a 230V device or buy one locally.
- MOBI.e reliability is excellent in Lisbon and Porto; sparser and occasionally out of service in the Alentejo and Trás-os-Montes interior. Plan 50–100km buffer between stations on a road trip.
- Some older Tesla Supercharger stations only accept Tesla vehicles via the Tesla app. CCS2-equipped newer sites accept non-Tesla.
- If you're on Madeira or the Azores, the public charging network is much smaller. Renting an EV requires careful trip planning.
FAQ
Do I need an adapter for my phone?
No. All modern phone and laptop chargers accept 100–240V automatically and come with a European plug or a USB-C cable. Plug in any standard Europlug.
Will my UK hair dryer work?
With a Type G → Type F adapter, yes — but it will draw 2.5kW which is at the limit of many cheap adapters. Use a quality adapter (Schuko-compatible) and don't run it for hours.
Can I charge a non-Tesla EV at a Tesla Supercharger?
At sites with the "Magic number" column and a CCS2 connector, yes — use the Tesla app to start. Older Type 2-only Tesla sites are still Tesla-only.
What is the MOBI.e tag card?
A contactless RFID card from MOBI.E Network that authorises charging on any MOBI.e station. Cost €10 once. The app alone works for most tourists; the card is needed for stations without mobile signal.
Related tools
Driving the Algarve — fuel vs EV, train vs car for the coastal towns.
Portugal cost calculatorEV charging cost per day vs fuel — at 2026 prices.
Lisbon airport transitCharge-on-arrival: where to plug in near Lisbon airport rentals.
Costa Vicentina vs AlgarveWild west coast road trip — charging network density is lower.
Sources & methodology
- DGEG — Direção-Geral de Energia e Geologia — for voltage, frequency, and plug-type references.
- MOBI.E Network (mobi-e.pt) — charging station map, tariff schedules, app and tag-card product details.
- Tesla — Supercharger and destination-charger coverage map for Iberia.
- European Alternative Fuels Observatory (EAFO) — public-charging density statistics by region.
- DECO — Defesa do Consumidor — for consumer-grade adapter testing and quality warnings.