Portugal Plug Adapter Guide: What You Need for Type C/F Sockets

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Portugal uses the round two-pin European plugs, Type C and Type F, at 230 volts and 50 hertz. That is true in Lisbon and Porto, in the Algarve and out on Madeira and the Azores. If you come from the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia or most of Asia, you will need a plug adapter. A few of your things may also need a voltage converter. Here is how to tell which, and which adapters work well.

Portugal’s sockets at a glance

• Plug types: C (Europlug, two thin round pins) and F (Schuko, two thicker round pins with earth clips on the sides). Type E (a round pin with an earth pin in the socket) only turns up in very old buildings.
• Voltage: 230 V at 50 Hz.
• Where: the same everywhere in Portugal: the mainland, Madeira and the Azores.
• Good to know: sockets in Portugal are recessed. Bulky adapters that are wider than the recess may not go all the way in, so slim, round-bodied adapters fit best.

Do you need an adapter, a converter or nothing?

An adapter only changes the shape of the plug. A converter changes the voltage. Most travellers need only an adapter, because almost all phone, tablet, camera and laptop chargers are “dual voltage”. Look at the small print on the charger or power brick: if it says Input: 100–240V, 50/60Hz, it works in Portugal with just an adapter.

Coming from	Home plugs and voltage	What you need in Portugal
Spain, France, Germany and most of continental Europe	C, E or F, 230 V	Nothing: your plugs fit.
United States, Canada, Mexico	A and B, 120 V, 60 Hz	A plug adapter. Check every device for “100–240V”; single-voltage 120 V items need a converter or should stay at home.
United Kingdom, Ireland	G, 230 V	A plug adapter only (same voltage).
Australia, New Zealand	I, 230 V	A plug adapter only.
Japan	A and B, 100 V	A plug adapter; check devices for “100–240V”.
China	A and I, 220 V	A plug adapter.
India, South Africa	C plus D/M (and N in South Africa), 230 V	Two-pin Type C plugs fit; three-pin plugs need an adapter.
Brazil	C and N, 127 or 220 V	Type C plugs fit; Type N plugs need an adapter. Check the voltage of 127 V devices.

Things that usually need a converter (or a Portuguese replacement)

For travellers from 110–127 V countries, the trouble-makers are heating appliances: hair dryers, straighteners, curling irons, kettles and travel steamers. Many are single voltage, and even dual-voltage models draw so much power that adapter makers warn against using them through a travel adapter. Small voltage converters are made for chargers and small electronics, not for heat: the converter below says on its listing not to use it with a hair dryer at all. Many hotels provide a hair dryer, so ask before you pack one; often the simplest answer is to leave yours at home.

Some North American devices come with a three-prong (earthed) plug. Use an adapter with a grounded Type F (Schuko) plug for those; a plain two-pin Type C adapter is not grounded.

Who needs what, and when

• City breaks in Lisbon and Porto: one adapter per person with USB-C and USB-A ports usually covers a phone, a watch and a power bank overnight. Navigation, tickets and photos drain phones fast on sightseeing days.
• Hiking in Madeira and the Azores: your phone holds your trail bookings and offline maps, and a head torch or GPS watch also needs charging. A multi-port adapter lets you charge everything before an early start. See hiking in Portugal.
• Beach and surf trips to the Algarve: action cameras, speakers and e-readers add up. A two-pack lets a couple charge in two rooms or at two bedside sockets.
• Multi-country trips: if Portugal is one stop on a longer route (for example UK, Portugal, then Asia), a universal adapter with sliding pins saves carrying several.

What to look for in a Portugal adapter

• Type C or Type F output. Either fits Portuguese sockets. Type F with side earth clips is grounded and sits more firmly; Type C is slimmer and lighter.
• A slim, round body that fits recessed sockets.
• Built-in USB-C and USB-A ports, so you can leave some chargers at home. Check the wattage if you want to fast-charge a phone or a small laptop.
• Safety features such as a fuse, shutters and recognised certifications listed by the maker.
• Honest labelling. A good adapter says clearly that it does not convert voltage.

Adapters and a converter that work in Portugal

These are Amazon US listings we checked in October 2026: each one is sold on amazon.com, and its listing names Type C and/or Type F plugs (or, for the converter, an EU power cable). None of the adapters converts voltage.

Check the Ceptics Type C + F adapter price on Amazon

How to choose: if all your chargers say 100–240V, pick one of the first three. If you also travel to the UK or Asia, the EPICKA covers more countries in one piece (its European pin is Type C). Choose the BESTEK only if you must bring a small 110 V-only device such as some hair clippers or an older shaver whose label says 110–120V only; never run heating appliances through it.

Questions travellers ask about plugs in Portugal

What plug adapter do I need for Portugal?

A Type C or Type F (European two round pins) adapter. Type F is grounded and holds more firmly; Type C is slimmer. Either fits Portuguese sockets on the mainland, Madeira and the Azores.

Do I need a voltage converter for Portugal?

Usually not. Portugal runs on 230 V, and most phone, tablet, camera and laptop chargers accept 100–240V, so an adapter is enough. You only need a converter for devices made for 110–127 V only, and heating appliances are better left at home.

Can I use my American hair dryer or straightener in Portugal?

Only if it is dual voltage and you switch it to 230 V, and even then adapter makers warn about high-power appliances. A single-voltage 120 V hair dryer will be damaged if you plug it in through an adapter. Many hotels provide one; ask before you pack yours.

Does Portugal use the same plugs as Spain?

Yes. Spain and Portugal both use Type C and F sockets at 230 V, so one European adapter covers an Iberian trip.

Do Madeira and the Azores use different plugs?

No. Both island groups use the same Type C/F sockets and 230 V as mainland Portugal.

Will a UK plug adapter work in Portugal?

You need a UK-to-European adapter (Type G to Type C or F). The voltage is the same as at home, so no converter is needed.

Sources and last review

Researched and last reviewed on 3 October 2026. Portugal’s plug types and voltage: Visit Portugal’s useful information page (Turismo de Portugal); plug types and voltages by country: the Wikipedia table “Mains electricity by country”, which draws on national standards. Product details come from each Amazon listing as read on 3 October 2026; check the listing for current specifications, stock and price. For more on planning your trip, see our Portugal travel guide.