First Day Abroad

Power sockets and voltage in Italy

Part of the Italy arrival guide.

This information may change. Always check the official source.Last verified: August 2026 by

Sockets and voltage in Italy

  • Type CCEE 7/16 (Europlug)No earth
  • Type FCEE 7/3 (Schuko)Earthed
  • Type LCEI 23-50Earthed
Voltage
230 V
Frequency
50 Hz
Earthed sockets
Type F, Type L

Italian sockets come in two gauges; the common bipasso outlet takes both and a Europlug, but a Schuko plug needs the larger P40 outlet or an adapter.

What you need, by where you are coming from

  • Arriving from the United States or CanadaA plug adapter, and appliances marked 100-240 V. Anything single-voltage needs a converter.
  • Arriving from the UK or IrelandA plug adapter is enough - the voltage is the same as at home.
  • Arriving from most of continental EuropePlugs go straight in and the voltage matches. Nothing to pack.
  • Arriving from Australia or New ZealandA plug adapter is enough - the voltage is the same as at home.

Socket types, voltage and frequency are the nominal domestic supply as published in IEC/TR 60083 and the national standards it lists.

Italy uses the three-in-line Type socket alongside Schuko, and Italian plugs come in two sizes that do not fit each other's outlets.

Sockets in Italy are Type , and at 230 V, 50 Hz - the distinctive Italian outlet has three round holes in a straight line with the earth in the middle.

  • Type comes in two gauges and they are not interchangeable. The 10 A version has thin pins 19 mm apart, the 16 A version thicker pins 26 mm apart. A 16 A plug will not enter a 10 A socket.
  • The common bipasso socket solves this. Its figure-of-eight holes take both Italian gauges and a Europlug, which is why most modern Italian outlets look like a face with two odd eyes.
  • A Schuko plug needs the larger P40 outlet or an adapter. Plenty of hotels have them; plenty of older apartments do not, and a EUR 2 adapter from any tabaccheria solves it.
  • 230 V, so European and British appliances only need the right shape. American 120 V-only equipment needs a converter.
  • Chile and Uruguay use the same Type , which is the only place outside Italy you will meet it.
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Sources (1)

What this guide was checked against. Rules and prices change — follow the official link before you rely on a detail.