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Electricity & gas · Portugal
Checked 2026-09-30

🔗 New or bigger grid connection in Portugal: how long may it take and who do I complain to?

The short answer

A new home, a heat pump, a charging point or solar panels can need a new or bigger connection. The grid operator does this work, and many countries set deadlines and rules on costs.

📜 The rules in Portugal

Grid connection

For a new connection or more power, apply to the grid operator (E-REDES on the mainland), preferably in its Balcão Digital. It must send a quote within 15 working days; after you accept and pay, low-voltage work must be done within 30 working days (extendable to 45).

  • If the grid operator misses these deadlines, it pays you 20 euros compensation (RQS art. 105), unless the case is especially complex and duly justified. (erse.pt)
  • You have 30 working days to accept the quote and choose who builds the connection, or the request is cancelled. Network contribution charges are set by ERSE and depend on the requested power and voltage level. (e-redes.pt)
  • For a gas connection with consumption up to 10,000 m3 a year, the gas distributor must send a quote within 30 working days and connect within 30 working days (extendable to 45). (erse.pt)
E-REDES - Pedido de Ligação à RedeMainland electricity grid operator: takes connection and power-increase requests, preferably via the Balcão Digital.🔗 e-redes.pt
Official source: erse.pt · Checked 2026-09-30

🪜 Step by step

  1. Apply to the grid operatorApply to the grid operator for your address, not your supplier. Say what you want to connect and the capacity you need.
  2. Ask for a quote and a dateThe grid operator should tell you the cost and when the work will be done. See the rules for Portugal below.
  3. Keep track of deadlinesWrite down the dates. If a deadline is missed, ask why in writing.
  4. Complain if it goes wrongComplain to the grid operator first, then to the body named below.

📇 Who to contact

E-REDES - Pedido de Ligação à RedeMainland electricity grid operator: takes connection and power-increase requests, preferably via the Balcão Digital.🔗 www.e-redes.pt/en/customers-and-partners/connection-electricity-grid-request
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
Centros de Arbitragem de Conflitos de Consumo (RNCAI)Settles disputes with energy companiesWhen the company has not solved your complaint🔗 www.erse.pt/centros-de-arbitragem

❓ Questions

Who pays for the connection?

Usually the customer pays a connection charge set by the grid operator or the regulator.

Why does my grid operator refuse or delay?

Sometimes the local grid is full. Ask for the reason and the expected date in writing.

Do I need a new connection for solar panels?

Often not for small systems, but you usually have to register them with the grid operator.

📎 Sources

Checked: 2026-09-30

🧭 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

☀️Solar panels→🔋Charging an EV at home→📣Complaint about a supplier→🔄Switching supplier→📈Price increase→

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