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Electricity & gas · Portugal
Checked 2026-09-27

📟 Smart meter in Portugal: do I have to accept one?

The short answer

A smart meter sends readings automatically, so your bill is based on real use. Whether you can refuse one differs per country.

📜 The rules in Portugal

Smart meter

E-REDES finished its smart meter rollout at the end of 2024; a few homes still lack one because of access problems. Installation is free and you cannot refuse it, as the meter belongs to E-REDES.

Official source: e-redes.pt · Checked 2026-09-27

🪜 Step by step

  1. Check the letterWho installs it, the grid operator or the supplier, and when?
  2. Know your rightsSee below what the rules in Portugal are on the rollout and on refusing.
  3. Protect your dataAsk what data is collected and how often. You can usually see your own use online.
  4. Report problemsIf the meter seems wrong, ask the grid operator for a meter test.

📇 Who to contact

E-REDES — Mainland Portugal (about 99.5% of customers)Runs the local grid, meters and connectionsPower cut, meter problem, new connection📞 800 506 506🔗 www.e-redes.pt
ERSE - Entidade Reguladora dos Serviços EnergéticosSupervises energy companies and explains your rightsFor information, and to report a company that breaks the rules📞 213 033 200🔗 www.erse.pt/consumidores-de-energia
DECO - Associação Portuguesa para a Defesa do ConsumidorIndependent advice for consumersFor advice, template letters and a second opinion🔗 www.deco.proteste.pt

❓ Questions

Does a smart meter cost extra?

The costs are usually part of the network charges. Some countries charge people who refuse.

Is my data safe?

Meter data is protected by data-protection law, and you decide who else may see detailed data.

What if the readings look wrong?

Ask the grid operator to check the meter.

📎 Sources

Checked: 2026-09-27

🧭 Is this still correct?

We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.

🔗 Also useful

🔄Switching supplier→📈Price increase→🧾Wrong or high bill→💸Can’t pay the bill→🏚️Supplier went bust→

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