If you’re planning on moving to Portugal, you may be wondering where you buy electronics and appliances and what the cost is likely to be. For those coming from the UK or US, the cost may be more than you’re used to paying, but due to the cost of shipping, the challenges of getting your stuff through Portuguese customs, and the differences in power, it can often make more sense to sell your stuff and buy afresh once you move.
For warranty issues, it also makes sense to buy in Portugal rather than abroad, even for smaller items like a mobile phone. Thanks to EU law, any appliance bought in Portugal (such as a refrigerator or mobile phone) has to have a two-year warranty.
This doesn’t just apply to those from the UK and US, but a lot of countries outside of the EU.
Here are some of the electronics and appliances that you’re likely to need:
- Washing Machine
- Tumble Dryer*
- Dishwasher
- TV
- Microwave
- Fridge
- Freezer
You may also want to buy smaller items, such as blenders, food processors, food mixers, home audio systems, and coffee machines.
*Unlike North America, dryers aren’t common in Europe due to the cost of running them and the space requirements, which most Portuguese apartments don’t have. If you live in a house and are sensible about when you use it, however, it can be a great addition to your home, particularly during winter when the weather can be very damp, particularly in the north of Portugal. If you’re moving to somewhere in the south (e.g. the Algarve) you may not need a dryer at all.
Appliance & Electronics Shops in Portugal
The following are some of the main appliance and electronics shops that you’ll find in Portugal.
- Worten – Probably the main shop for appliances and electronics in Portugal.
- Radio Popular
- Auchan
- Media Markt
- El Corte Inglés
- FNAC
- Leroy Merlin – Has some small electronics, like microwaves, as well as big electronics such as dishwashers, cookers, and fridges.
- Conforama
- Euronics
As well as chains like Worten, many Portuguese towns and cities still have small shops that sell white goods and appliances.
You could also shop online. Amazon Spain will deliver a lot of items to Portugal – from small items like microwaves and kettles to larger items like fridges and washing machines. Amazon Germany is less likely to deliver the larger items, but surprisingly still has some large items (like washing machines) that it will ship to Portugal. (Note: Amazon Spain is available in Spanish and Portuguese while Amazon Germany is available in German and English, but you may get better results by searching in the local language).
Kuanto Kusta is Portugal’s main online comparison shop, and another place that’s worth looking at. It compares large shops such as Auchan and Conforama, but also includes results from lots of smaller shops that you might not have heard of.
One downside of using international sites like Amazon for items such as a dishwasher or washing machine is that the price is less likely to include installation, and you may either have to do that yourself or hire a plumber.
You may also want to consider buying second-hand, which in Portugal is typically done through OLX.pt, through local Facebook groups, or through Facebook Marketplace. Another option is Cash Converters, but this only has a few shops in Portugal.
(Tip: as well as this article on appliances and electronics, we also have an article on buying furniture in Portugal).
Thinking about Moving to Portugal?