Electricity in Cape Verde is straightforward for most European travellers and needs one small purchase for everyone else. The bigger practical issue is not the plug shape but reliability: on the smaller islands, power cuts are a normal part of life.
Voltage and plug types
Cape Verde runs on 220 volts at 50 Hz, using the European type C (two round pins) and type F (two round pins with earth clips) sockets. Travellers from most of continental Europe need no adapter at all. Visitors from the UK, Ireland, the US, Canada and much of Asia and Africa will need a simple travel adapter.
Will your devices work?
Phone, laptop and camera chargers are almost always dual-voltage (check for '100–240V' on the plug) and will run fine with just a plug adapter. Devices built only for 110V — some US hairdryers, straighteners and shavers — need a voltage converter, not just an adapter, or they will be damaged.
Power cuts and reliability
Supply is generally stable in the main towns and resorts, which often have generators. On the quieter islands — Brava, Maio, São Nicolau and the mountain villages of Santo Antão — cuts of anything from minutes to hours happen, and some remote guesthouses run generators for set hours only. It is rarely a problem, but it does mean you should charge opportunistically.
Practical charging tips
- Bring a power bank — genuinely useful on the smaller islands.
- Charge devices whenever you have reliable power.
- A multi-socket extension lets several devices share one adapter.
- Pack a head torch for evening power cuts.
- See our full packing list for the rest.
Frequently asked questions
What plug does Cape Verde use?
Cape Verde uses European type C and type F plugs at 220V, 50Hz. Most continental European visitors need no adapter.
Do UK visitors need an adapter for Cape Verde?
Yes. UK three-pin plugs do not fit, so bring a simple European travel adapter.
Are there power cuts in Cape Verde?
Occasionally, mainly on the smaller and mountainous islands. Main towns and resorts are generally reliable and often have generators.