Services: Electricity, Gas & Water in Portugal

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Services: Electricity, Gas & Water in Portugal

Before applying for any utility, whether in a rented or owned property, a foreigner in Portugal must have a valid tax number (Numero Fiscal de Contribuinte or NIF) obtained from the Tax Office (Direcção-Geral dos Impostos) in the area of residence, and a Residency Permit (Cartão de Residência) from the Portuguese Immigration Authorities (Serviços Estrangeiros e Fronteiras, SEF).

Below is information on:

Normally in a rented property utilities are already installed. If the utilities are included in the rental contract (which is rare) the landlord or letting agent will itemise the amounts at the end of the year.

Electricity

The national electricity company in Portugal is EDP (Energias de Portugal SA).

• Electrical Emergency - Tel: 800 506 506

Portugal operates a power rating system (Potência Instalada) where a household or the electricity company calculates its average usage and the supply is based on this. This can mean that using a washing machine, microwave and toaster or kettle at the same time will cause the power to cut out in some older properties or households with a lower rating system.

The standard electricity contract in Portugal is set up to provide from approximately 1.15 Kw to a maximum of 41 Kw.

It is possible to alter the power supply for different times of the day to pay reduced tariffs at night, between midnight and 09:00, but it is necessary to ask for this service as it is not made available automatically.

The power supply can be unreliable at peak periods and in rural areas, so it is worth having power and surge protection installed by having an electrician fit a back-up generator and UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply) box. The work will need to be checked by an EDP inspector (Técnico).

To transfer or set up a new contract

If taking over the utilities from a previous owner or tenant, check that the person has cancelled their contract. If not, it will be necessary to operate a transfer (transferência) of accounts. This is generally easier than setting up a new account.

The previous owner or tenant should provide copies of their bills for utilities and it is advisable to go through the meter readings together to verify that there are no extra charges incurred since the latest bills.

There are a number of options for setting up or transferring a contract:

• Call EDP: (in Portuguese and English)
  Tel: 808 505 505 (Customer Service)
  Tel: 210 012 500 or 210 015 300
• At an EDP Shop (Loja de EDP) in person. To find the nearest EDP Shop: Click here
• Go to a Citizens' Shop (Loja do Cidadão)

The following information will be needed:

• Passport or Identity Card (Passaporte e Bilhete de Identidade)
• The client name, address and number of the previous occupier/tenant (if applicable)
• Tax Number (Número Fiscal de Contribuinte) of the account holder if it is being set up by a private individual, or IVA card (Numero Fiscal de Contribuinte de Empresas) in the case of a company
• Residency card (Cartão de Residência)
• The amount of power required (From 1.15 Kw to 41 Kw)
• The current reading of the meter (Leitura do Contador)
• Bank details if direct debit is to be made via a bank
• The address to which the bills should be sent
• The address to which the contract should be sent

Meter-reading, bill paying and disconnection

EDP sends out an estimated bill (factura) every two months, however it is possible to pay monthly by direct debit with the Conta Certa EDP. The meters are read once a year and adjusted bills are sent out. The bill will show the account number (Número de Conta), the amount due (Valor Pagável) and the date it should be paid by (Pagável até).

Bills can generally be paid for via the Multibanco ATM cash and payment machines, in the post office (Correios de Portugal) by crossed cheque to the address on the back of the bill or by direct debit payment from a bank account.

• Meter Reading (Leitura do Contador) - Tel: 800 507 507

Some new apartment blocks are furnished with a remote electronic counter which enables EDP to measure the usage remotely. It also means that the electricity supply can be disconnected remotely when an overdue bill remains unpaid. Before complete disconnection, the amount of electricity supplied is reduced for a period to enable payment before complete disconnection. During this reduced power period, the supply trips out when larger appliances are used. There is a reconnection fee to re-establish normal supply once the bill has been paid and this is charged on the next bill.

It is suggested that temporary residents pay their bills via standing order from a local bank account to avoid having the power supply cut off or reduced.

• Accounts can be managed through the EDP website, with a code and password.

Note: In Lisbon gas and electricity bills can be combined. Applications for a joint contract can be made through a Citizens' Shop (Loja do Cidadão)

To cancel a contract

Cancellation must be done in writing by e-mail, letter or online. The Contract Annulment form (Formulário de Rescisão de Contrato) will need to be completed. 

• To cancel a contract online: Click here
• Tel: 808 505 505 for help

Useful terms

Gas (gás)

The gas market in Portugal is currently a regulated monopoly and consumers have the choice of only one provider – Galp Energia. The rental agency or real estate agent can provide local contacts.

• Gas leak (Fuga de Gás) - Tel: 800 201 722
• Gas Emergency Helpline - Tel: 808 241 107

Gas is widely used for heating, water heating and cooking appliances in Portugal although apart from in newer houses and apartments, gas or oil central heating is rare and expensive to install.

Gas is available in the following forms:

• Mains gas (Gás Domicilio)
• Bottled gas (Botijas/Garrafas)
• Outdoors gas tanks (mainly in rural areas) (Contentores de Gás)

Mains gas

Mains gas is generally available in towns and cities throughout the country. Mains gas is used for appliances and heating and all installations have to be approved by the gas suppliers. Gas water heaters should be serviced and de-scaled regularly.

On moving in, a new tenant or property owner should contact Galp Energia to have a contract drawn up.

• Tel: 800 206 009
• Alternatively it can be arranged at the same time as the electricity contract is drawn up at a Loja do Cidadão.

An appointment will be made to have the meter read and the gas turned on by a Gas Technician (Técnico Credenciado do Gás). 

The supplier will need the following:

• Registration number of the meter
• Name of previous tenant/owner if possible
• Name and account details of new tenant/owner
• Passport and/or Identity Card (Passaporte/Bilhete de Identidade)
• Residency Card or Proof of Residency (Cartão de Residência/Comprovativo de Residência)

Mains gas is charged by the mega calorie (MCAL) up to 200m3 and invoiced monthly. Payments can be made by ATM Multibanco, direct debit or at the post office.

Bottled Gas

Bottled gas (Botijas de Gás or Gás em garrafa) is most commonly butane gas (although propane is available). It can be bought in small quantities (usually 10, 15 or 20 kilograms) in bottles and is usually kept in the kitchen under the sink. Bottled gas is also often used in calor gas-type heaters in the winter in houses without central heating, but may also be used to heat water.

Typically a deposit, in addition to the price of gas, will be paid to the local supplier (supermarket, petrol station) for the first bottle bought. Following that, the empty bottle can simply be exchanged when paying for a full one. Some gas suppliers do deliveries.

Gas Tank

Tank gas (Contentor de Gás) is more common in rural areas. Gas is stored in a large tank outside the house (usually 1,000 litres of liquid gas) and is used for hot water and heating.

Generally, the tank is installed by the gas company and remains their property. They charge for supplying the gas. A tenant/owner will need to sign a supply contract with the gas company and will be charged for a fixed minimum usage per year.

The property insurer must be informed if the property is using a gas tank (charges may be slightly higher).

Independent Energy Regulator

Entidade Reguladora dos Serviços Energéticas is an independent energy regulator or watch dog, who will arbitrate in cases of dispute between the customer and an energy supplier.

• Entidade Reguladora dos Serviços Energéticas

Water (Agua)

Aguas de Portual provides the names and contact information of local water boards in Portugal.

• Water cuts (Falta de Agua) - Tel: 800 222 425
• Burst pipes (Roturas) - Tel: 800 201 600

Mains water supply is limited to a fixed, metered amount per household and an annual consumption which exceeds the limit must be paid for. "Outdoors" water (for hosepipe watering) does not require a specific contract except in the case of swimming pools.

Water is usually billed bi-monthly with an estimate. When the meter is read, an adjusted bill is sent (reposição). At this point it is recommended to take the reading to make sure the figures are correct.

• Meter Reading (Leituras) - Tel: 800 201 101

Getting connected

• To find the water board that serves the area of residence: Click here and select the relevant area from the drop down list under "Nacionais" or select Mapas (in Portuguese)
• This can also be done at a Citizens' Shop (Loja do Cidadão)

To arrange to receive water supply, provide the local water company with:

• Personal details - Passport or Identity Card (Passaporte/Bilhete de Identidade)
• Tax Number (Número Fiscal de Contribuinte)
• Residency Card or Proof of Address (Cartão de Residência/Comprovativo de Morada)
• Telephone Number (Número de Telefone)

Generally, residents of apartments and condominiums pay the water bills as part of their fees, no special arrangements are needed.

Paying bills via the Multibanco ATM machines

Paying bills through the system of ATM Multibanco machines is easy and instant. 

Do the following:

1. Type in personal PIN number
2. Select: Payment of Purchases & Services (Pagamento das Compras e Serviços)
3. Type in the company's five digit reference number (Entidade) in the MB box on the back of the bill.
4. Type in the customer reference number (Referência)
5. Type in the amount (Montante)
6. Press the Confirmation (Confirmar) button

The customer will receive a receipt confirming that the amount on the bill was debited from the current account. This should be kept and attached to the bill as proof of payment.

Further Information

• AngloINFO INFOrmation page Domestic Electricity in Portugal
• AngloINFO INFOrmation page Telephones & Internet in Portugal