Utilities in Portugal: What’s Available and How Much Does it Cost

Whether renting an apartment in Portugal or buying a new house, you’ll need to connect various utilities to the property. Electricity, water, and sewage removal are all necessary for healthy living and keeping the environment clean. 

In this article, we’ll take a look at all the utilities in Portugal, how to pay your bills, and who the leading suppliers are. Stick around to about the average cost of utilities in Portugal for 2026, what it takes to change your supplier, and more. 

Utilities in Portugal: Key Takeaways  

Utilities in Portugal sit in the middle range in the European Union; they are relatively affordable and accessible.  

To set up utilities as a foreigner, you need a Portuguese NIF number, proof of address (lease or property deed), bank details, and any additional documents (if applicable).  

The average household in Portugal spends about €170–€200 per month on combined utilities (electricity, water, heating or cooling, and waste services). 

Electricity costs around €0.24 per kWh, which means around €70–75/month for small households and €90–€100+/month for larger families.  

The average water bill is around €25–€30/month for two people and around €15–€20/month for a single person. 

To set up utilities in Portugal, you will need your: 

• Passport or European ID card (Cartão de Cidadão) 
• Proof of Portuguese address, mainly a rental agreement (Contrato de Arrendamento) for renters or a property deed (Escritura) for property owners
• Portuguese NIF number (Número de Identificação Fiscal)  
• E-mail address 
• Personal phone number (a Portuguese mobile number is often preferred, but not mandatory) 
• Bank details (a Portuguese bank account can make the process easier) 
• The previous tenant’s electricity bill that shows CPE (Código de Ponto de Entrega), if applicable, but not always mandatory  

Don’t have any of these basic requirements? At Global Citizen Solutions, our migration specialists can act as your fiscal representative and help you obtain a NIF number or set up a Portuguese bank account online.  

Although many utility providers accept EU and EEA bank accounts with SEPA IBANs, a Portuguese bank account is often preferred and highly recommended. A local bank account can make payments and administration easier. It can also reduce the transaction costs for foreigners moving to Portugal, especially non-EU citizens. 

Some app-based online banking accounts are also acceptable in Portugal, especially with Wise, Revolut, and N26.  

That being said, if you are not satisfied with a particular company, you can change utility providers at any time.  

So, how long does it take to set up utilities in Portugal? If previous occupants disconnected the home’s electricity (e.g., the line was physically cut or locked), utility providers in Portugal often take 4–5 business days to reconnect the property, depending on what needs to be reinstalled.  

The average setup times in Portugal may include: 

• Electricity: 1–5 business days 
• Water: 1–2 business days 
• Internet: 1–2 business days (for simple installation in major cities), or 1–2 weeks (for remote locations where technicians are required) 

In Portugal, access to essential utilities is nearly universal. Urban and suburban areas enjoy comprehensive coverage for electricity, water and sewerage, natural gas pipelines, and high-speed internet. 

Even remote rural communities are increasingly linked via LPG deliveries, satellite broadband, and decentralized water systems. 

So, whether you found the perfect village house for your retirement on the Portugal D7 Visa or want to invest in a business through the Portugal D2 Visa, you’ll never be far away from accessing basic utilities. 

Electricity supply

Electricity in Portugal is widely available and increasingly green. Redes Energeticas Nacionais (REN) oversees power transmission and supplies the national grid with electricity. 

There are two kinds of electricity supply in Portugal, each with its own average price: The regulated market and the liberalized market. 

The regulated market prioritizes price stability under a state-set tariff with minimal flexibility, whereas the liberalized market allows consumers to choose the electricity supplier they want. 

In 2025, electricity consumption supplied from the public grid reached 53.1 TWh, 3.2% higher than in 2024. This is the highest annual consumption ever recorded in Portugal’s electricity system. Hydropower was the largest renewable contributor, accounting for about 27% of national consumption, followed by wind power at 25%, solar power at 11%, and biomass at 5% of national demand. 

Water and sewage

When setting up your utilities in Portugal, water would be at the top of your list. In Portugal, you cannot choose a water provider. Water and sewage services are organized at the municipal level, which means your provider depends on where you live. 

The national regulator, ERSAR (Entidade Reguladora dos Serviços de Águas e Resíduos), oversees drinking-water quality and service standards, including pressure and continuity requirements, in line with Portuguese law and EU directives. 

For example, if you live in the wider Lisbon area, your municipality is likely to receive its water from Aguas de Lisboa e Vale do Tejo, a wholesale supplier that supplies around 3.8 million people across 86 municipalities. If you live in the Algarve, there is a high chance your water supply would come from Aguas do Algarve, another wholesale supplier that supplies around 450,000 people.  

You can drink the tap water in Portugal. The country follows EU standards to provide drinkable tap water. That being said, some residents prefer to buy a filter or buy bottled water, as both options are very affordable.  

As with electricity, water and sewerage services are widely available. Nearly 100 percent of urban households and over 90% of rural residents are connected to municipal water networks. 

That being said, Portugal has an extensive wastewater treatment infrastructure. Under EU rules, agglomerations with 2,000 or more inhabitants must have wastewater collection systems and secondary treatment, while larger areas in environmentally sensitive zones may require additional treatment, such as nutrient removal. 

Sewerage networks carry wastewater to treatment plants, where it is cleaned before it can be released in the environment. These plants also treat leftover sludge, which can sometimes be reused in the agricultural sector as a fertilizer, and some recover biogas to produce energy. 

Tip: If you would like to complain about your water supply in Portugal, you can contact your local provider. If the issue is not resolved, you can contact the ERSAR directly, or if you need general administrative guidance, visit the Citizens’ shop (Loja do Cidadao) in your local area. 

Installing solar panels 

In Portugal, you can use green energy in your property by installing solar panels.  

DGEG (Direção-Geral de Energia e Geologia) is responsible for licensing and registration of all electricity systems, including many self-consumption (solar PV) installations. ERSE (Entidade Reguladora dos Serviços Energéticos) regulates Portugal’s electricity market, including grid access, tariffs, and consumer rights, while the local city hall (Câmara Municipal) can issue planning and building permits if necessary.

In 2025, the Portuguese Solar Energy Market was valued at 6.81 gigawatt, with a projected growth from 8.19 gigawatt to 8.19 gigawatt from 2026 to 2031. Experts estimate a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 20.31% during the forecast period.  

There is growing demand for solar panels in Portugal as more people prefer to be energy independent. But whether you should install solar panels for your household depends on your individual circumstances, long-term goals, and budget.  

The Portuguese Environment Agency (APA – Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente) is responsible for developing national waste policies and overseeing waste management, while ERSAR (Entidade Reguladora dos Serviços de Águas e Resíduos) regulates urban water, wastewater, and waste services.

Municipalities in Portugal collect household waste and recyclables, while SGRU (Sistemas de Gestão de Resíduos Urbanos) sorts, treats, recycles, and disposes of that waste.

You can find ecopontos (public recycling stations) across the country, especially in major cities. They are often color-coded containers that separate different types of recyclable materials.  

For example, paper and cardboard (blue bins), plastic, metal, cartons, cans, and aluminum (yellow bins), glass packaging (green bins), organic waste (brown bins), and general household waste you cannot recycle (grey or black bins).  

For the grey or black bins, you should use garbage bags, which you can purchase at your local supermarket (supermercado) or grocery store (mercearia) for less than €2 per pack. 

After collecting the waste, the recyclable materials are transported to sorting facilities (Estações de Triagem), where they are separated and sent to recycling companies. Non-recyclable waste often ends up in landfills or waste-to-energy facilities. 

The schedule for garbage collection in Portugal depends on the area. Municipal workers in Lisbon usually pick up waste on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. To check the schedule for garbage collection, visit your municipality’s website and search for ‘coleta de lixo’ or ‘dias de lixo’.  

Tip: Throwing litter on the ground in Portugal can lead to fines from €50 to €5,000.  

Natural gas supply

Gas usage in Portugal is lower than in many countries, such as Germany, Italy, France, and the United States. Many Portuguese households do not use gas at all and are not connected to the natural gas network.  

Portugal’s high-pressure natural gas transmission network is managed by REN (Redes Energéticas Nacionais), while local distribution networks are operated by regional companies. 

In many Portuguese cities and larger towns, homes connected to the natural gas network get their gas supply through local distribution companies, mainly Lisboagás, Portgás, and Lusitaniagás.  

Some households cook on gas by using outdoor tanks (contentores de gas) or bottled gas (botijas). 

You can choose your gas supplier, with companies such as Galp, Endesa, and Goldenergy offering different contract options. Plans may include fixed or market-linked prices, with monthly bills calculated based on gas consumption measured in kilowatt-hours (€/kWh). The monthly bills often come with a fixed charge, a consumption charge, and taxes. 

Tip: If you don’t have a natural gas pipeline in your neighborhood and you use a gas stove and boiler, you must replace the gas bottle yourself, which is available at petrol stations, local distributors, and some retail shops. 

Internet and home communications services

Portugal has some of the best fixed broadband coverage in Southern Europe, with fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) reaching 93.2% of households according to 2025 Digital Decade (DESI) reports. 

The main providers, MEO, NOS, and Vodafone, offer fiber plans from 100 Mbps up to 1+ Gbps. Installation is often free with promotional offers or long-term contracts, while a one-time fee (€50–€100) can apply in other cases.  

In areas without FTTP, VDSL over copper and DOCSIS cable networks remain available, with broadband speeds often starting around 30–50 Mbps, which are typically much higher on cable connections. 

Mobile broadband is extremely competitive: 5G networks reach about 98.7% of households, which is almost the entire country. 

Check our Our Ultimate Guide on the Cost of Living in Portugal

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In Portugal, the average monthly costs for combined utilities, including electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage, typically range from €170 to €200.  

This range depends on various factors, such as the size of the property, the number of occupants, and individual usage habits. 

For example, a single person living in an 85 m² apartment can pay €119.99 for combined utilities as of July 2026, according to Numbeo.  

On the other hand, a couple living in a larger home may see bills between €180–€300. 

Here’s a breakdown of the average utility costs in Portugal vs major cities such as Lisbon and Porto. 

Source: Numbeo (July, 2026) 

Electricity price in Portugal

Entidade Reguladora dos Serviços Energéticos (ERSE) regulates Portugal’s electricity market. They set regulated electricity tariffs and other charges, while suppliers in the liberalized market are free to create their own prices.  

In the regulated market, the applicable tariff for your €/kWh and €/kVA, is set by ERSE for the tariff period. In the liberalized market, suppliers offer both fixed- and variable-rate contracts, with fixed-price agreements typically lasting between 12 and 24 months. 

According to Eurostat, the average Portuguese household spent around €0.24 per kWh on electricity bills in Q2 2025. These costs include taxes, VAT (Value Added Tax), and grid (network) fees.  

Source: Eurostat (Q2, 2025) 

Simply put: The average electricity bill in Portugal is €852 per year (or about €71 per month) for a household that uses 3,500 kWh of electricity per year. But, if your household uses 5,000 kWh per year, the electricity bill would cost roughly €1,217 per year (or about €101 per month). 

These prices place Portugal slightly below the EU average for household electricity costs. However, keep in mind that the total cost of your electricity bills will vary based on the tariff you choose, supplier, electricity consumption, and other factors.  

Tip: In Portugal, smart meters are common, and you can use them to monitor your spending in real time to save on electricity costs.

Solar panels 

A typical solar panel system in Portugal that can create up to 5 kilowatts (kW) of electricity costs around €6,000 to €8,000. Factors such as installation, inverters, and solar panels are included in this price, which is different for every company.

That being said, the Portuguese government can provide grants, tax incentives, or financing programs to reduce your upfront costs in some cases. 

Average water bill in Portugal

The average household water bill in Portugal is €25–€30 per month for a two-person home, based on bimonthly metered billing (roughly €50–€60 every two months). 

Smaller studios or single-occupant flats often see bills closer to €15–€20 per month, while larger families consuming more than 10 m³/month can pay €40–€50 or more. 

Regional tariffs vary—rates typically run €0.31–€0.55 per m³ for supply and €0.33–€0.54 per m³ for sewerage, so your exact bill depends on your consumption and where you live. 

Average gas prices in Portugal

Bottled liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in Portugal is sold almost exclusively in exchangeable cylinders, the two most common being the 13 kg butane bottle and the larger 45 kg propane bottle. 

According to ENSE (Entidade Nacional para o Serviço Energético), 13kg of butane costs around €34.03, while an 11 kg bottle can set you back €31.00. For 45 kg of propane, which is often used by families, a full bottle can cost €134.07 as of 2026. That works out to about €2.98 to €3.00 per kg of propane. These prices are different for each retailer and can change at any time.   

Tip: As of July 3, 2026, vulnerable households can apply for the “Botija de Gás Solidária” (Solidarity Gas Cylinder) support, which is a government initiative that can offer a €25 rebate per bottle of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). 

Average price of internet and mobile

Most customers choose bundled “quad-play” plans combining internet, IPTV, landline, and mobile services. 

Entry-level fiber packages (500 Mbps) start around €27–€30/month, while online exclusive packages with a €150 voucher can cost €37–€40/month at NOS Portugal.  

According to MEO’s fiber listings (specifically the M4 1 Gbps plan), the bundle includes 200 GB of 5G mobile data, which can cost €50–€60/month. 

Providers frequently include a Wi-Fi 6 router at no extra cost, plus app-based TV guides, on-demand streaming, and parental-control features.

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Portuguese utility companies offer several ways to pay your bills, whether you prefer to do so through your mobile phone or directly at a local branch.

Automatic payments/direct debit: A debit order is the simplest way to pay for your water or electricity. When you open an account, the provider will ask for your banking details, and they will deduct the money directly from your bank account each month.

Bank account payment: A bank account payment is similar to a debit order, except that you have to initiate the payment manually. Essentially, the company sends you an invoice at the end of the month, and you must pay the corresponding amount into their account.It is the traditional way of paying for utilities, as all you need is the supplier’s Entity Code, the reference number, and the exact amount you must pay.

Mobile payment: One of the easiest ways to pay your bills is through a mobile banking application or the supplier’s dedicated app. Similar to a bank payment, many mobile bank apps have a “Pay Bills” option, and you simply input the Entity Code, the reference number, and the amount.

If you’re considering making the move to Portugal, it’s essential to be informed about the various visa and residency options available. The Golden Visa Portugal program is an attractive option for many, offering residency to investors and their families. For those eyeing retirement in this beautiful country, the Portugal D7 Visa is tailored for you. Digital nomads can take advantage of both short and long-stay options with the Digital Nomad Visa (D8). 

For the entrepreneurial spirit, Portugal offers the Entrepreneurship/startup Visa (D2) – Start-up Visa (open company) tailored for those looking to establish their businesses in the country. Those with specialized skills can explore the Work visa for highly qualified employees (D3). Additionally, if you have Portuguese ancestry, you might be eligible for Citizenship by descent. 

However, moving to a new country isn’t just about visas. If you’re thinking of buying property, our guide on Buying Property in Portugal can offer invaluable insights. Dive deeper into the immigration process with our comprehensive Portugal immigration guide. For Americans specifically looking to relocate, we have curated information on Americans moving to Portugal. Lastly, one can’t forget the importance of the NIF (Tax Identification Number), a crucial step in any relocation process.