Plugs, sockets & voltage
Plugs in Italy: three pins in a row
Italy uses Type L (three round pins in a line) and Type F sockets at 230V. A slim two-pin Europlug adapter fits nearly all of them. Thick Type F adapters only fit Schuko sockets.
- No adapter needed
- Bring a UK adapter
- Adapter + check voltage
Newer buildings often have combined sockets that take both, but older flats and B&Bs may have just one or two small Type L outlets. San Marino and the Vatican follow Italy.
What you'll find
- Hotels and newer buildingsBring a UK adapter
Combined sockets that take Type C, F and L.
- Older flats and B&BsBring a UK adapter
Often small Type L sockets only. Bring a slim two-pin adapter.
Sockets you'll find
- Type LItalian · 230V
- Type FSchuko · 230V
- Type CEuroplug · 220-240V
Which adapter to buy
- A thin-pin Type C adapter fits nearly every Italian socket, including Type L and the combined 'bipasso' ones.
- Avoid thick-pin Schuko adapters unless you know your rental has Schuko sockets.
- Bring two adapters for an older apartment or agriturismo, where sockets can be few and far apart.
- Voltage is 230V, so UK appliances work normally.
Power in older buildings
Italian homes often have a low power limit, so running a hair dryer, a kettle and the air conditioning at once can trip the supply. If everything goes off, look for the meter or fuse box near the front door and flip the switch back up. Your host will know the drill.
Before you go
- An extension lead turns one Italian socket into several UK ones.
Stay and do
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