Traveling from the UK to continental Europe? While the voltage is the same, you'll still need adapters for your British plugs. Here's everything you need to know.
Good News: Same Voltage!
The UK and continental Europe both use 220-240V at 50Hz. This means all your UK electronics will work fine - you just need a plug adapter to physically fit the outlet.
Plug Type Differences
| United Kingdom | Continental Europe | |
|---|---|---|
| Plug Type | Type G (3 rectangular pins) | Type C, E, F (2 round pins) |
| Grounding | Built into plug | Clips (F) or pin (E) |
| Fused | Yes (in plug) | No |
Where You're Going Matters
France, Belgium, Poland, Czech Republic
Use Type E outlets with a grounding pin. A Type C adapter works for small devices.
Germany, Spain, Netherlands, Austria
Use Type F (Schuko) outlets with grounding clips. Type C adapters work for most devices.
Italy
Uses Type L in addition to Type C/F. Most UK adapters for Europe will work.
Switzerland
Uses Type J - you may need a specific Swiss adapter as some European adapters don't fit recessed Swiss outlets.
What Adapter to Buy
For most European trips, you need a UK to EU adapter (Type G to Type C/E/F).
Pro Tips
- Laptop cables: Many laptop chargers use a standard "figure-8" or "cloverleaf" cable that can be swapped for a European version cheaply.
- Phone chargers: Consider buying a USB charger with a European plug - they're inexpensive and eliminate adapter hassle.
- Power strips: Bring a UK power strip and use one adapter to power multiple devices.