Chile Power Plugs, Wall Sockets & Electrical Outlets
In Chile, power plugs and sockets (electrical outlets) of Type C (CEE 7/16 (Europlug), two round pins, ungrounded) and Type L (CEI 23-50, three round pins in a row, grounded) are used. Wall sockets run at 220V and 50Hz. Check if you need a travel adapter, electrical adapter or voltage converter before travelling to Chile.
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Chile uses:
Do You Need a Travel Adaptor for Chile?
Travelers from most of North America, the UK, and many parts of Asia will need a travel adaptor when visiting Chile, since the country runs on 220V at 50Hz and uses socket-outlets that differ from those found at home. If your devices are designed for 110-120V systems, you may also need a voltage converter unless the device already supports dual voltage, as most modern phone, tablet, and laptop chargers do. Even travelers arriving from countries with compatible voltage should check their plug shape, since Chile's grounded socket-outlet has a distinct pin arrangement that many standard plugs cannot fit into directly.
Where to Buy a Travel Adapter for Chile
Travel adapters suitable for Chile are widely available before you even leave home, including at airport electronics kiosks, luggage stores, and major online retailers. Look specifically for an adapter labeled for Type L or for Italy/Chile compatibility, since generic European adapters built for Type C alone may not fit Chilean grounded outlets. Once in Chile, adapters can also be found in larger supermarkets, hardware stores, and shops catering to tourists in major cities.
What Plug Type Does Chile Use?
The Chile power plug standard is Type L, the Italian-designed connector featuring three round pins arranged in a straight line rather than a triangle. This 3-pin plug includes a central grounding pin along with two outer pins, providing a safe earthed connection for household appliances, kitchen equipment, and power tools. Chile specifically uses the 10A version of Type L, with 4mm pins spaced 5.5mm apart, so appliances or adapters built for the 16A Italian variant will not fit Chilean sockets. In addition to Type L, Chile's socket-outlets are compatible with the two-pin Type C Europlug, which is commonly used for low-power electronics like phone chargers and cameras.
Do All Sockets in Chile Look the Same?
Not every socket-outlet in Chile looks identical, though the 10A Type L design is the national standard. Many outlets are recessed or shaped specifically to accept the inline three-pin Type L plug, while also allowing the narrower two-pin Type C Europlug to be inserted for ungrounded devices. Older buildings or budget accommodations may have slightly different socket depths or surrounding plastic housings, but the core pin layout and spacing remain consistent with the Chilean Type L standard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, if your home country doesn't use Type L plugs, you'll need a travel adapter to fit Chile's grounded socket-outlets. Devices with a two-pin Type C Europlug will also work in Chilean outlets without an adapter, since Type L sockets accept them, but three-pin grounded appliances from other regions will require a proper adapter.
Most phone chargers are dual-voltage and can handle Chile's 220V, 50Hz supply without needing a voltage converter. You'll typically only need a plug adapter to physically fit your charger's Type C Europlug or Type L plug into a Chilean socket-outlet. Always check the voltage rating printed on your charger to confirm compatibility before plugging in.
Chile operates on a 220V electrical system at a frequency of 50Hz. This is standard across the country and applies to both grounded Type L outlets and Type C Europlug-compatible sockets.
Yes, Chile's national Type L socket-outlet includes a grounding pin as part of its three-pin design, providing earthed protection for compatible appliances. However, sockets also accept the two-pin Type C Europlug, which is ungrounded and intended only for double-insulated Class II devices.
