Electricity bills in Portugal change on October 1: The increase will not affect everyone the same way

The new tariff period for electricity prices in Portugal starts on October 1, 2026. ERSE's tariff update during the year will be directly reflected in the bills of households, especially those in the regulated electricity market.

Typical residential customers in the regulated market expect an average electric bill increase of around 2.7%.

However, this does not mean that everyone's electricity bill in Portugal will automatically increase by 2.7% on October 1.

New tariffs are valid as of October 1

Energy Services Regulatory Authority ERSE updated the energy tariff in the electricity sector, taking into account the market conditions during the year.

The new prices will apply from October 1, 2026.

The change affects the energy tariff applied by Comercializador de Último Recurso and the regulated end-user tariffs calculated on it.

Customers on social electricity tariffs are also within the scope of the new tariff structure.

No automatic 2.7% raise for free market customers

The majority of households in Portugal are in the free electricity market.

The prices paid by customers at EDP Comercial, Galp, Endesa, Iberdrola and other free market suppliers depend on their electricity contracts.

For this reason, the change made by ERSE in the regulated tariff is not automatically reflected in all contracts in the free market on the same date and at the same rate.

Supplier price change If so, this must be implemented according to the customer's contractual conditions.

It is possible to switch to the regulated tariff

In Portugal, electricity customers with contract power up to 41.4 kVA at normal low voltage can switch to a price regime equivalent to the regulated tariff.

Therefore, consumers in the free market can compare the kWh price, fixed power fee and other commercial conditions in their existing contracts with the regulated tariff.

ERSE's regulated electricity tariff is expected to continue until the end of 2027 according to the current schedule.

What should people living in Portugal check on their bills?

Electricity users should first check which market they are in on their bills.

If the invoice includes SU Eletricidade or a regulated tariff, the change on October 1 is of direct importance.

For customers in the free market, the determining factor is the price applied by their suppliers.

Therefore, instead of just looking at the "2.7% electricity price increase" information, checking the kWh price on the invoice, daily power fee and the expiration date of discounts, if any, provides a more accurate comparison.

Resources

ERSE — Tarifas e preços de eletricidade

https://www.erse.pt/atividade/regulacao/tarifas-e-precos-eletricidade/

ERSE — Tarifa regulation de eletricidade

https://www.erse.pt/consumidores-de-energia/eletricidade/tarifa-regulada-de-eletricidade/

ECO — September 15 2026

https://eco.sapo.pt/2026/09/15/vem-ai-novo-aumento-de-preco-da-eletricidade-no-mercado-regulado-fatura-media-sobe-27-em-outubro/