Once you get the signed the rental contract, ensure it’s registered in financas (TAX department in Portugal). Usually landlord has to visit finance office to pay taxes and they issue an online contract. Landlord will share with you house contract and receipts of taxes he/she has paid.
After you have the contract, if utilities aren’t included, then you should be able to choose the provider. Alternatively, you can also keep the existing connections.
In Portugal energy sector is independent of the government, meaning that you are typically free to choose the electricity (luz in Portuguese) provider of your choice when setting up your new home. Mostly, the connections are supplied by EDP, the state operator.
Gas (gas) is not as common in Portugal as in other European countries. Indeed, many households don’t use gas at all, and many don’t have a connection to the country’s mains gas (gas domicilio) network. This is often the case in more rural areas and in the country’s island communities. However, you can still enjoy cooking on gas in these areas by using bottled gas (botijas) or outdoor tanks (contentores de gas). Bottled gas is available at most fuel stations and larger supermarkets and you’ll need to pay a deposit for your first bottle. There are also delivery services operating throughout the country.
Most of the providers have both electricity and gas options but not compulsory. You are free to choose your own tariff that suits you. The famous Portuguese energy companies are as follows:
1- EDP
2- Gold Energy
3- Simples Energy
4- LUZiGAS
In order to apply for new connections at Loja do Cidadão (a central location for state run services/departments), you need to carry your NIF paper as well as your contract and identification documents. You also need to have a local mobile number which you can purchase very easily from local market. Details of your Portuguese bank account is also recommended.
Take the token from machine for below services:
1- Agere- water
2- EDP- Electricity
3- Galp- gas
Once your number is displayed on board approach the counter number as shown on display board, ensure you have original passport/resident card with you .
If you cannot speak Portuguese, don’t worry, there are people in most of the departments who can speak good/reasonable English. Sometimes, they call or transfer you to the counter with English speaker.
Submit documents, and give your mobile number and email ID. Later you will receive messages on mobile phone from the department and technician.
If you have already moved to your apartment or are in desperate situation to move to new home, you can ask for urgent processing. In most of the cases, the technician might visit same day .
Usually a technician’s visit is required specially for gas since they want to check everything is in order at your house.
After visiting counters at Agere-water
EDP-Electricity, you don’t need to visit Galp. Since EDP is also providing gas service so both electricity and gas connection can be installed by the same company.
Waiting time for is mostly around 10-15 minutes and another 10-15 minutes spent at each counter.
Generally, you do not have any major issues.
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