After buying or renting a property in Portugal, you need to set up (or transfer into your name) electricity, water, and — where applicable — piped gas. Electricity and gas run on a liberalized, ERSE-regulated market: every electricity supply point has a permanent CPE (Código de Ponto de Entrega) code, and every gas supply point has an equivalent CUI code, both issued by the distribution network operator (E-Redes for electricity) rather than by the retail supplier. You choose any licensed commercial supplier (comercializador) and give them the CPE/CUI to open or transfer the contract; water is contracted separately with the local municipal water utility. This document covers the setup process only — for ongoing monthly bill estimates, see the (forthcoming) monthly-costs topic.
Without an active electricity contract in your name, a notary/agent typically cannot confirm the property is "move-in ready," and you risk a supply gap right after taking possession. Knowing that the CPE/CUI code — not the previous occupant's contract — is what identifies the connection point means you can shop any supplier from day one rather than being stuck with whoever supplied the previous owner or tenant.
Key Facts
The CPE (Código de Ponto de Entrega) is a fixed, unique 20-character code identifying an electricity connection point; it stays the same regardless of who lives there or which supplier is contracted, and is issued/maintained by E-Redes, the network operator (not the retail supplier).
Gas connections use an equivalent code (CUI, Código Universal da Instalação), issued by the relevant gas distribution operator.
The easiest way to find the CPE/CUI for a property is on a previous electricity/gas bill for that address; if unavailable (e.g., a new buyer with no prior bill), it can be requested directly from E-Redes (or the local gas distributor).
Electricity and gas retail supply in Portugal is a liberalized market regulated by ERSE (Entidade Reguladora dos Serviços Energéticos); consumers are free to choose and switch between any licensed commercial supplier (comercializador) using the CPE/CUI, and switching itself carries no fee.
Switching or newly contracting a supplier does not require formally ending a prior contract at that address — under current market rules, the new supplier handles the changeover with the network operator.
Water supply is contracted separately, directly with the municipal (or inter-municipal) water utility for the area the property is in — this is outside the ERSE electricity/gas framework and is organized locally rather than nationally.
Steps
1. Identify the CPE (electricity) and, if relevant, CUI (gas) codes — Ask the seller/landlord for a recent utility bill showing the CPE/CUI, or request the code directly from E-Redes (electricity) or the local gas distributor using the property address.
2. Choose a commercial supplier (comercializador) — Any ERSE-licensed supplier can be contracted using the CPE/CUI, independent of who previously supplied the property. Compare offers — tariff type, contract length, any loyalty/exit terms.
3. Open or transfer the contract — Provide your NIF, identification, and the CPE/CUI to the chosen supplier to activate or transfer the contract into your name.
4. Arrange water separately — Contact the municipal water/sanitation utility covering the property's address to open an account; requirements and process are set locally by each municipality rather than nationally.
Timelines
Typical time to complete a supplier change/activation: commonly reported around 5 business days in practice, with regulatory guidance allowing up to about three weeks (21 days) for the changeover to be completed without a supply interruption
Final settlement bill from a previous supplier after a switch: typically issued within about six weeks of the switch
Common Mistakes
Assuming you must keep the previous occupant's electricity/gas supplier — the CPE/CUI is supplier-independent, and you can pick any licensed comercializador from the start.
Not requesting the CPE/CUI early enough — without it, a new supplier cannot activate service at the address, which can delay move-in.
Overlooking early-termination penalties on a fixed-term contract if you're switching away from a supplier partway through a loyalty period.
Forgetting that water is a separate, municipality-level process, not bundled with the ERSE-regulated electricity/gas switch.