Azores Power Plugs, Wall Sockets & Electrical Outlets
In Azores, power plugs and sockets (electrical outlets) of Type B (NEMA 5-15, two flat parallel pins plus round grounding pin, grounded), Type C (CEE 7/16 (Europlug), two round pins, ungrounded) and Type F (CEE 7/4 (Schuko), two round pins with grounding clips on sides, grounded) are used. Wall sockets run at 230V and 50Hz. Check if you need a travel adapter, electrical adapter or voltage converter before travelling to Azores.
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Azores uses:
Azores Electrical Outlets Explained
An Azores power plug follows the same standard used throughout mainland Portugal and much of continental Europe. Every electrical outlet across the islands supplies electricity at 230V and 50Hz, so visitors from regions with different voltage systems should check their device compatibility before plugging in. The islands use two plug types: Type C and Type F, both of which are round-pin designs common across the European continent.
Type C, also known as the Europlug, is a compact two-pin plug rated for up to 2.5A and is typically found on smaller electronics such as phone chargers, camera batteries, and shavers. Type F, the Schuko plug, is the grounded 16A standard used for higher-power appliances and is what most modern buildings, hotels, and rental accommodations in the Azores are wired for.
Grounding and the Earth Pin
Type F plugs achieve grounding not through a pin but through spring-loaded clips on the sides of the plug, which connect with grounding strips inside the recessed socket. This design offers strong protection for larger appliances like washing machines and ovens. Type C Europlugs, by contrast, are ungrounded and rely on double insulation, so they're only intended for low-power Class II devices rather than anything requiring an earth connection.
Do All Sockets in Azores Look the Same?
Not every socket you encounter will look identical, but they are all compatible with the same plug shapes. Type F sockets are recessed to prevent accidental contact with live parts, and because Type C Europlugs are physically smaller, they fit into Type F sockets as well, just without a grounding connection. This means a simple 3-pin plug isn't part of the local system at all — the Azores relies exclusively on round-pin European plugs rather than the flat-pin, three-prong style used in North America.
Understanding Azores's Power Plugs and Sockets
Travelers arriving from countries that use different plug standards, such as the flat-pin Type B system found in North America, will need a travel adaptor to use their devices in the Azores. A basic plug adaptor is sufficient for most electronics since the underlying voltage and frequency won't change, only the physical plug shape needs to be adapted to fit local Type C or Type F outlets.
- Type C (Europlug): two round 4mm pins, ungrounded, rated up to 2.5A, ideal for phones, tablets, and small chargers
- Type F (Schuko): two round 4.8mm pins with side grounding clips, rated 16A, used for higher-power appliances
- Standard voltage and frequency: 230V, 50Hz across the Azores
Frequently Asked Questions
If your home country uses Type C or Type F plugs, you won't need an adapter. Otherwise, such as if you're traveling from a country using Type B plugs, you'll need a travel adaptor to fit the round-pin Type C or Type F outlets used throughout the Azores.
Yes, in most cases. Phone chargers are typically dual-voltage and can handle the Azores' 230V, 50Hz supply without needing a converter, so a simple plug adapter for the Type C or Type F outlet is usually all that's required.
The Azores operates on a 230V supply at 50Hz, consistent with the rest of Portugal and most of continental Europe. Devices designed for 220-240V systems will work without issue.
Many are. Type F sockets used in the Azores are grounded, using side clips rated for 16A to safely support higher-power appliances. However, Type C Europlug connections are ungrounded and only suitable for low-power, double-insulated devices.
