Electrical certificates in Portugal: what you need, and when
Buying, renting, a new contract or new works: what the rules ask for since CERTIEL stopped certifying homes, who signs the paperwork, and how contracted power fits in.
The short answer
Most expats hear that they need an "electrical certificate" when they buy an older home, move into a place that has been empty, or have new electrical work done. Since 2018, under Decreto-Lei 96/2017, the old CERTIEL certificate no longer exists.
For a typical home, the paperwork is now a declaration signed by the qualified electrician or company that did the work, recorded with DGEG, the energy authority. Some installations still need an inspection.
Not the same as the energy certificate
The certificado energético, needed to sell or rent a home, rates its energy efficiency. It is issued by an energy expert, not by an electrician, and it says nothing about whether the wiring is safe.
What the rules ask for
- New installations, rewiring and major changes are designed and carried out by a qualified electrician (técnico responsável) or an installation company (entidade instaladora).
- When the work is finished and tested, they issue a declaration (termo de responsabilidade pela execução) and record it on DGEG's platform.
- For homes with a contracted power up to 10.35 kVA, that declaration is generally enough to connect.
- Above that, and for some other installations, an inspection by a DGEG-recognised inspection body (entidade inspetora, EIIEL) is needed before the installation is connected.
- An installation can only be connected to the network once the right declaration or certificate exists.
Buying, renting or reconnecting a home
There is no general certificate you must show to buy a home. But an older home may have no earth, no residual current device or an old fuse box. Before you buy or sign a lease, or when a home has had no power for a long time, a check of the installation by an electrician tells you what it needs.
If you then raise the contracted power, rewire or add circuits, the new work comes with its own declaration. Your supplier or E-REDES will tell you what they need for your case.
Contracted power (potência contratada)
Homes in Portugal contract a power level in kVA, such as 3.45, 6.9 or 10.35 kVA. Higher power means a higher fixed charge on the bill.
Before you raise it, for example for an EV charger or a heat pump, ask an electrician whether your cables, fuse box and supply can take it. Going above 10.35 kVA can bring the inspection requirement above.
What it costs
A check of the installation is commonly quoted at about €70 to €100. The declaration for new work is part of the job, so ask for it in the quote. Inspection bodies set their own prices, so ask before you book.
Frequently asked questions
Who can sign the paperwork?
A technician qualified under Lei 14/2015 or a registered installation company. On electricians.pt, profiles show when the team has checked an electrician's DGEG registration.
Is there still a CERTIEL certificate?
No. CERTIEL stopped certifying installations when the new rules came in. DGEG now supervises the technicians, installation companies and inspection bodies.
Does my rented flat need a certificate?
Usually not for you as a tenant. If something is unsafe, tell the landlord in writing. A new contract in an existing, working installation normally does not need new paperwork.