Electricity and sockets
Coming from the UK, your plugs fit every recorded socket in the United Kingdom (Type G), so no adapter is needed.
Sockets at the destination
Travelling in the United Kingdom you will meet Type G sockets, fed with 230 V at 50 Hz. At 230 V the supply matches what UK and European appliances expect, so no converter is needed.
You will find identical sockets in Cyprus, Malta, the Isle of Man and Ireland. Watch out when moving on: Portugal, Germany and Croatia use a completely different system. Across Europe this setup is fairly rare: 6 of 50 countries.
Protective earth
The usual sockets in the United Kingdom include a protective earth.
Quick check by home country
| From the US | adapter for Type G | Check route → |
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Nothing to worry about electrically: the United Kingdom runs the same supply as home. Check your own device →
The same sockets are used further afield: the United Arab Emirates, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, Qatar, Dominica and Hong Kong.
Common questions
No. Plugs from the UK fit the sockets in the United Kingdom.
Type G – that is what you will find in the United Kingdom (230 V, 50 Hz).
No. At 230 V the supply matches UK and European appliances.
Detailed guide
Type G, 230 V, fused plugs and protective earth.
Read the guide →If a socket gets hot, crackles or smells burnt, unplug the device straight away.
Data for the United Kingdom from IEC World Plugs and IEC TR 60083. Sources and method →