🇬🇧🇺🇸🇨🇦
Expat Note · Electrical
Type F vs Type G / Type A / Type B Plugs
Portuguese homes use Type F (Schuko) sockets. UK Type G, US Type A/B and Canadian plugs all need an adaptor. The voltage is the same (230V) but the fitting is completely different.
🇬🇧🇺🇸🇨🇦
Expat Note · Electrical
Certificado de Conformidade Elétrica
The Portuguese equivalent of a UK EICR or US/Canadian electrical inspection report. Always request it when buying a property — without it, your insurer may not cover electrical faults.
🇬🇧🇺🇸🇨🇦
Expat Note · Plumbing
Esquentador vs Boiler / Water Heater
Most Portuguese homes use an esquentador — an instantaneous gas water heater that heats water on demand only. No hot water tank. Very different from a UK combi boiler or US/Canadian water heater tank.
🇬🇧🇺🇸🇨🇦
Expat Note · Plumbing
Hard Water by Region
Algarve, Lisbon and Alentejo have very hard water (200–400 mg/l). This rapidly builds limescale in your esquentador and appliances. Northern Portugal has much softer water — similar to many UK and Canadian regions.
🇬🇧🇺🇸🇨🇦
Expat Note · Gas Safety
CERTIGAS — Portugal's Gas Certification
All gas work in Portugal must be carried out by a CERTIGAS-certified technician — equivalent to Gas Safe in the UK or licensed gas contractor schemes in the US and Canada.
🇬🇧🇺🇸🇨🇦
Expat Note · Electrical
RCD / GFCI / Diferencial — Same Device
In Portugal it's called a Diferencial. In the UK: RCD or RCCB. In the US and Canada: GFCI. All detect earth leakage and cut power instantly. Must be tested monthly.