Electric cars are all about saving money. If you're planning to buy a Tesla or another electric car, you need to consider where to charge your car for free in Portugal.
In recent years, Portugal has been actively developing its electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, striving for eco-friendly transportation. By 2026, the national MOBI.E network will exceed 7,000 charging stations with over 13,000 connection points, of which approximately 40% are fast and ultra-fast. However, not all of them are free: public stations often require payment via apps or cards, but many locations offer free charging, especially for customers. This makes owning an EV advantageous, especially in cities like Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve. Let's explore where to find such points.
Supermarkets and Shopping Centers
Some of the most affordable options are supermarkets and shopping malls, where charging is often free while shopping. For example, Lidl has charging stations in most stores across the country: in Lisbon on Avenida Infante Dom Henrique or in Porto on Rua de Santa Catarina. Charging is typically 22 kW, limited to 1-2 hours, but free for customers. Aldi is similar: a partnership with EDP has resulted in the installation of over 650 charging points in 140+ stores. In Albufeira, Faro, and Braga, this is an ideal option for a quick recharge.
Shopping centers also often offer free electric vehicle charging in Portugal. In Lisbon, Colombo Shopping Centre offers free charging stations (Type 2 and CCS) in its parking lot, accessible to visitors. Vasco da Gama in Parque das Nações has several charging points, including fast ones. In Porto, NorteShopping and Mar Shopping in Matosinhos also offer free charging up to 50 kW while shopping. El Corte Inglés in both cities frequently offers this service. In the Algarve, Forum Algarve in Faro or Aqua Portimão are popular charging spots. Simply scan the QR code or use the app to activate.
Hotels and resorts
Many hotels offer free charging for guests, which is convenient for tourists. For example, the Sheraton Cascais Resort near Lisbon has stations for Teslas and other EVs. In Porto, the Hotel Infante Sagres and Pestana Vintage Porto are equipped with Type 2 charging points. In the Algarve, the Pine Cliffs Resort in Albufeira or Vila Vita Parc in Porches are excellent options with free charging in their parking lots. Chains like Hilton, Marriott, and Accor often include EV charging stations in their services. To search, use TripAdvisor or Booking.com with the "EV charging" filter. As of 2026, there are more than 700 such hotels across the country.
Municipal and public spaces
Some cities have installed free public charging stations. Albufeira has six charging points: four in P1 parking near Miradouro do Pau da Bandeira and two in P5. In Lisbon, a green parking disc (12 euros/year) allows free parking without a time limit, including charging in public bays. Similar parking spots are available in Porto: at Praça da Liberdade or in Matosinhos. Hubs with 48+ charging points have appeared on the A1 and A2 motorways (for example, near Mealhada or Alcantarilha), but are only free for certain programs. In rural areas, such as Guarda or Viseu, municipal parking lots sometimes offer free access.
Tesla Destination Chargers in hotels and restaurants (148+ nationwide) are often free for Tesla owners but open to others via an app.
Apps and Tips
To find charging points, use the PlugShare, Electromaps, or Chargemap apps—they show real-time availability and reviews. The MOBI.E app integrates the entire network, allowing you to filter free ones. A Better Routeplanner (ABRP) plans routes with charging stations in mind. Please note: free charging often requires a purchase or a minimum stay of 30-60 minutes, and power ranges from 7 to 50 kW. In 2026, the market liberalization (RJME) simplified access by eliminating contracts for many stations.