The power is out — who do I call, and can I claim for the damage?
Check the neighbours' lights and your fuse box; if it is not just you, call the outage line of Your grid operator — outage line — the grid operator, not your energy supplier; the number is on your bill and on the operator's outage map. Long outages give you a right to compensation in most countries after a set number of hours, paid automatically or on request; ERSE — Entidade Reguladora dos Serviços Energéticos (erse.pt) sets the rules and decides disputes. Damaged appliances from a surge: claim from the grid operator or your insurer; Câmara Municipal / Junta de Freguesia (anmp.pt) if the cause was municipal works.
🗣️ What to say
"Power has been out at [address] since [time]. The neighbours are affected too / only my home. My fuses are fine. Is there a known fault, and what is the expected restoration time? I would also like to claim the outage compensation."
🪜 Step by step
- Fuse box, then neighboursOne flat only: your fuses or your wiring (landlord). Whole street: the grid.
- Outage line: Your grid operator — outage linePhone or the outage map; report even if it is already shown — it helps them locate.
- Unplug sensitive devicesSurges when power returns damage electronics. Keep the fridge closed.
- Compensation: ERSE — Entidade Reguladora dos Serviços Energéticos rulesAfter a threshold (often 4–12 hours) a fixed sum per household; ask the operator in writing if not automatic.
- DamagePhotos, receipts, the operator's incident number. Claim from the operator; contents insurance often pays first.
📇 All contacts
❓ Frequently asked
Should I call my supplier?
No — suppliers sell you electricity; the grid operator delivers it and fixes faults. Calling the supplier just delays.
Medical equipment at home
Register with the grid operator as a priority customer in advance; during an outage call and say so — they prioritise and can supply a generator.
Planned works with no notice
Planned interruptions require advance notice; without it, compensation and a complaint to ERSE — Entidade Reguladora dos Serviços Energéticos.
📎 Sources
- ERSE — Entidade Reguladora dos Serviços Energéticos →
- Câmara Municipal / Junta de Freguesia →
- ASF — Autoridade de Supervisão de Seguros / Provedor do Cliente →
🔎 Common searches
Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.
- “power outage who to call Portugal”
- “grid operator outage line”
- “power cut compensation hours Portugal”
- “appliance damaged power surge claim”
- “electricity outage map”
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