As an expat in Portugal and once the property is found, sometimes you have to deal with the issue of energy and more specifically electricity. Whether choosing the cheapest or the most efficient supplier, to the process of opening an electricity contract, it is important to know the rules of the energy market in Portugal. EDP, Iberdrola or Endesa are the best known, but there are also alternative electricity suppliers. What is the price of electricity in Portugal? Who are the different Portuguese energy suppliers? How to open an electricity contract in Portugal? Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you everything about the suppliers, the prices and the procedures for opening an electricity contract in Portugal.
Electricity in Portugal: suppliers, price and contract opening - ©Pixels
Suppliers
First, it is worth remembering that electricity is said to be "luz" in Portuguese. Although the word "electricidade" does exist, the Portuguese more commonly use the word "luz", which should not be confused with light. Portugal has an electricity market which was liberalized a few years ago. There are therefore several providers who offer different offers. Historically the best-known supplier is EDP (Energia De Portugal), the equivalent of EDF in France, but there are many alternative operators in order to be able to compete and compare prices.
Here is the full list and link of all electricity suppliers (luz) in Portugal for the domestic market (link to their respective sites by clicking on it):
Rolearviva – Rolear Automatizações, Estudos e Representações SA
Coopérnico – Cooperativa de Desenvolvimento Sustentável, CRL
Some operators like EDP have a large network of physical branches, and others are only online, which makes it possible to compare and choose the Portuguese electricity supplier that meets your expectations and needs.
Price
Portugal has one of the most expensive electricity in Europe. According to Eurostat data in 2019, the price of electricity in the European Union for individuals averaged € 0.2159 incl.taxes / kWh. Electricity prices for domestic consumption in the EU-27 were highest in Denmark (0.29 EUR per kWh) and lowest in Bulgaria (0.10 EUR per kWh). Portugal was ranked 8th with a price of € 0.2181, but it is above all the weight of taxes that drives up the electricity bill.
In fact, VAT is 23% in Portugal, and the various additional taxes make the country one of the most expensive to provide electricity. Indeed, without these taxes, Portugal would have almost the cheapest electricity in Europe.
Here is the average price of domestic electricity in the different countries of the European Union:
Electricity in Portugal: suppliers, price and contract opening
Contract opening
In order to open a contract with a domestic electricity supplier in Portugal, certain conditions must be fulfilled and the steps taken in the right order. First of all, of course, you have to choose your operator.
According to the ERSE (Entidade Reguladora dos Serviços Energéticos), before choosing your electricity supplier or signing a contract, you must check with the various operators on the following aspects:
• Allocated power;
• Proposed prices;
• Services provided;
• Billing frequency;
• Tariff options;
• Terms and methods of payment;
• Conditions in the event of termination.
It is important to point out that all suppliers are required by Portuguese law to make available a contractual form which, as a rule, contains all the information described above.
In addition to the various electricity tariff simulators available online, this form is a way to facilitate the comparison of contractual conditions between domestic energy providers. Therefore, one must analyze in detail all the information provided in this form, including the fine print - to guard against unpleasant surprises.
Once you have chosen your electricity supplier, all you have to do is contact them and present the following:
• Identity document (Passport, cartão de cidadão if Portuguese citizen);
• Fiscal number (N.I.F.);
• Bank details of a Portuguese account;
• Rental contract or deed of purchase.
Some suppliers offer to take the formalities of opening an electricity contract remotely or by telephone, which greatly simplifies the process and allows you to quickly benefit from the electricity in your home.
