Charging the mobile phone when planning a trip to Portugal

A page showing how to charge your mobile phone with a Portuguese power outlet using Type B micro USB connector with a Type C Europlug power adapter and charging any mobile phone using a Schuko Type F power charger.

Portuguese power outlet

Varying different voltages and region codes can often be daunting when planning to stay in a foreign country especially if you've never been there before. This page was written to stop people worrying if they'll be able to charge the mobile phone when they are going abroad.The following instructions will show how to supply power to the mobile phone when you're visiting Portugal by using their standard Type F or C Portuguese 230 volt 50Hz power outlets, please note Type F power outlets will be normally used by a majority of Portuguese. If you are travelling to Portugal from another region ensure your mobile phone can be charged using a 240v supply. If it originated in a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110v) ensure that your mobile phone is dual-voltage (marked with a 100-240 volt notation) else you may need to use an additional voltage converter to stop the device from over-heating when powering up.

These instructions are for a generic mobile phone and assume the phone has a standard micro USB port, Bluetooth connectivity and a headphone socket. For a specific mobile phone please visit the Mobile phones page for a full list of makes and models.

Charging any mobile phone in Portugal

Can you use any mobile phone in Portugal?

You can connect any mobile phone to a Portuguese power outlet.

What is the best travel charger for recharging any mobile phone in Portugal?

If you are travelling with more than your mobile phone or visiting more than one country the best international travel adapter for Portugal is a multiple USB port charger which includes compatible plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. Portuguese use two different types of power outlets (types F and C) and using a travel adapter like this will ensure that you are covered for type C. As these chargers come with interchangeable pins and can handle 100 volts - 240 volts will mean that you can travel to multiple countries around the world just by switching the supplied plugs over. If your type of mobile phone is compatible with Fast Charge (please note not all USB devices can) then you'll benefit from faster charging times by using one of these USB power chargers, and additional support for more power demanding devices like tablets. Unlike other travel chargers this will allow you to charge more than one device simultaneously without needing to buy individual power adapters for your Portuguese trip or using up additional power sockets. Because you are only needing a single USB travel charger will help keep the overall size down, making it ideal to fold up and store in hand luggage while travelling as well as being suitable for charging your mobile phone at the airport or on your flight. Due to their space saving flexibility these types of power adapters can be used at home not just abroad so when you’re not on holiday they can be used under your bedside table charging multiple phones and tablets with just a single power outlet.

For those travelling to Portugal we suggest searching for a flexible power adapter like this at your preferred electronics retailer. The multipurpose power adapter illustrated is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully with multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries.

Alternative travel adapter for Portugal

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from any country who only have USB devices such as the mobile phone, however for visitors also wishing to use their domestic plugs these power adapters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power adapters offer surge protection which is necessary for travellers to counties with unstable power supplies. These power converters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover both Portugal and over 150 countries around the world:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK international travel adaptor has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the most popular portable power adapter for travellers originating from North America visiting Portugal.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Similarly having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the Orico is also aimed at travellers from the US using type B plugs. This is a much cheaper alternative to the BESTEK with only one less AC outlet at almost half price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has 2 AC outlets but offers 5 USB charging ports. This versatile power strip is compatible with both American plugs and popular plug types A, D,E/F, G, H, I, L and N making it suitable for a majority of travellers from around the world visiting Portugal. [7] [AD]
What is the best travel charger for recharging any mobile phone in Portugal?

Powering any mobile phone with a Portuguese power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

Using Type B USB Micro cable and a 3 pin Type C USB charger to charge your mobile phone with a Portuguese power outlet.

  1. To charge any mobile phone from a Portuguese power outlet you'll need to buy a Type C USB power plug adapter [3] and a USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable [4].
  2. Begin the process by plugging the Type C USB power plug adapter into the Portuguese power outlet. You can recognise this plug supply by the two round adjacent holes for live and neutral pins.
  3. Then connect the USB end of the USB Micro type B connector into the bottom of the USB charger and the other end into the USB charging port on any mobile phone. These instructions assume your phone uses a Micro USB type B port. Please refer to the instructions supplied with your mobile to check this is correct and visit the Mobile phones page to see if your model is listed (note that you can usually connect the cable supplied with your mobile phone to charge with any USB adapter).
  4. The USB charging port is typically located either on along one side or on the bottom of the mobile phone.
  5. Switch on the Portuguese power outlet.
  6. The battery indicator on your mobile phone will indicate that the phone is charging, refer to the phone`s instruction manual to find out how long it will typically take. [AD]
Powering any mobile phone with a Portuguese power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

How to use a Type F power charger for recharging your mobile phone from a Portuguese power outlet

A page showing how to charge your mobile phone with a Portuguese power outlet using USB Type B connector with a Type F Schuko power adapter.

  1. In order to supply power to the mobile phone using the Portuguese power outlet you will need to use a Type F USB power plug adapter [6] and a USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable [4].
  2. Begin the process by taking the Type F USB power plug adapter and inserting it in the wall supply. The circular power outlet, also called the Schuko outlet, can be identified by the two 4.8mm round holes 19 mm next to each other and a pair of thin grounding clips at the top and bottom.
  3. Connect the USB end of the Type B USB Micro cable into the bottom of the USB charger and the other end into the USB charging port on any mobile phone. These instructions assume your phone uses a Micro USB type B port. Please refer to the instructions supplied with your mobile to check this is correct and visit the Mobile phones page to see if your model is listed (note that you can usually connect the cable supplied with your mobile phone to charge with any USB adapter).
  4. The USB charging port is normally located either on the side or bottom of the mobile.
  5. Turn on the Portuguese power outlet.
  6. The battery indicator on the mobile phone should indicate that the device is charging, refer to your phone`s instruction manual to find out how long it will take. [AD]
How to use a Type F power charger for recharging your mobile phone from a Portuguese power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Wikipedia.org web page about Portugal
  2. iec.ch - Type C power outlet
  3. Type C USB power plug adapter - Conforming to Europlug specifications, the Type C USB power plug adapter incorporates two 4 mm rounded pins spaced 19 mm apart. It is engineered to adapt electrical outlets commonly found in Europe, converting them to USB-compatible charging ports..
  4. USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable - Used to connect USB devices which have a USB Mini-B port to computers, power supplies and other devices.
  5. iec.ch - Type F power outlet
  6. Type F USB power plug adapter - Compliant with Europlugs and CEE 7/17 specifications, the Type F or Schuko adapter is engineered to adapt German electrical power outlets into USB-compatible ports..
  7. 4 Port USB Wall Charger - A 4-port USB wall charger is an electrical device that provides simultaneous charging for up to four USB-compatible devices. It often includes interchangeable international plug adapters for global use..