Electricity and Gas in Portugal (2026)

What is the energy market like in Portugal?

The electricity and natural-gas market in mainland Portugal is liberalised. Any licensed supplier can sell energy anywhere on the grid. In the Azores and Madeira, the market is regulated with its own suppliers of last resort.

The grid operator is separate from the supplier. E-Redes manages electricity distribution on the mainland, REN manages transmission and system operation, and several regional distributors manage natural gas. Grid complaints should go to the grid operator, not the supplier.

What are the best electricity tariffs?

These are the top-ranked fixed tariffs in the catalogue for a typical 1,900 kWh/year mainland profile.

What is on the electricity bill?

The electricity bill splits into three main blocks. The energy and supply price makes up about 45-55% of the bill for a 1,900 kWh/year profile. The grid access tariff (TAR) accounts for 30-35%. Taxes and levies, including 6% VAT, IEC, CAV, and the DGEG fee, account for 15-20%.

What is the regulated electricity tariff?

The regulated tariff is sold by SU Eletricidade, the EDP group's supplier of last resort. Prices are set annually by ERSE with no campaigns or discounts. It acts as a neutral benchmark for comparing the free market.

The regulated electricity market ends on 31 December 2027. The regulated natural-gas market already ended on 31 December 2025. From those dates, all customers must choose a free-market tariff.

Who is eligible for the social energy tariff?

The social tariff gives a 33.8% discount on electricity and 31.2% on gas, applicable to any tariff. Assignment is automatic through data cross-checking between Social Security and the Tax Authority.

Eligible households receive specific social benefits or have annual income up to EUR 6,272.64. The contract must be in the beneficiary's name with contracted power up to 6.9 kVA. The discount stacks with the cheapest free-market tariffs.

How do you switch energy supplier?

You can switch supplier at any time at no cost and with no supply interruption. The new entity handles the process with the grid operator. The switch is usually completed within 1 to 7 working days.

From 1 January 2026, billing-cycle changes can be requested without a 12-month lock-in. Use the ERSE simulator to confirm real savings for your consumption profile.

What are green and indexed tariffs?

Green tariffs advertise 100% renewable electricity, certified by EEGO/REN Guarantees of Origin. A certified green claim depends on the supplier holding enough guarantees to cover the energy it sells.

Indexed tariffs link the per-kWh price to the OMIE wholesale market. The price varies hour by hour or month by month. They can save money during low-price periods, but volatility makes budgeting unpredictable.

How We Compared These Energy Tariffs

We compared catalogue tariffs by estimated annual cost for a 1,900 kWh/year profile, per-kWh price, standing charge, price guarantee, contract lock-in, renewable share, English support, and available regions. Values come from supplier websites accessed in August 2026 and include taxes.

Frequently Asked Questions