Resources

Practical tools for
informed decisions.

Reference material for building administrators, EV owners, and anyone navigating the planning process for the first time.

Before you start

What to gather before
the first conversation.

Having this information ready makes the initial assessment faster and more accurate. You do not need all of it — but the more you have, the better the starting point.

Electrical Information

  • Current electricity supply contract (potência contratada)
  • Main panel location and configuration
  • Number of floors and parking spaces
  • Whether parking is underground or surface level
  • Age of the building's electrical installation
  • Any recent electrical works or upgrades

Building Information

  • Total number of residential units
  • Number of parking spaces (private and visitor)
  • Parking space ownership structure
  • Condominium statutes (if available)
  • Minutes of previous assemblies discussing EV charging
  • Administrator contact and authority

Demand Information

  • Number of residents currently with EVs
  • Number of residents considering an EV in the next two years
  • Typical daily driving distance (rough estimate)
  • Preferred charging time (overnight vs. daytime)
  • Any previous charger quotes or proposals received
  • Budget expectations, if known
Key terms

The language of
EV infrastructure planning.

Technical terms explained in plain language — because understanding the vocabulary makes every subsequent conversation more productive.

Potência Contratada

The maximum power (in kVA or kW) that a building has contracted with the electricity distributor. This is the ceiling for all electrical consumption in the building, including EV charging. Increasing it requires a formal request to the grid operator and may involve infrastructure works on the distributor's side.

Dynamic Load Management

A system that monitors total building power consumption in real time and distributes available capacity among active EV chargers. When building demand is low, chargers receive more power. When demand peaks, charging is slowed to keep total consumption within the contracted limit. This allows more chargers to operate than the raw available capacity would suggest.

ERSE

Entidade Reguladora dos Serviços Energéticos — the Portuguese energy services regulatory authority. ERSE sets the rules for electrical installations, energy supply contracts, and the operation of charging infrastructure. Compliance with ERSE requirements is mandatory for any legal EV charging installation in Portugal.

Regime da Propriedade Horizontal

The Portuguese legal framework governing condominium ownership (Código Civil, Articles 1414–1438). This regime defines what constitutes common property, what modifications require assembly approval, and what voting thresholds apply. EV charging installations may affect common infrastructure and therefore require correctly framed assembly votes.

Sub-metering

The installation of individual energy meters within a building to measure and bill each user's consumption separately. In shared EV charging infrastructure, sub-metering allows each resident to be charged only for the electricity their vehicle actually consumed — essential for fair cost allocation in a collective installation model.

Decreto-Lei 90/2021

Portuguese legislation that grants individual condominium owners the right to install EV charging at their own parking space, even without assembly approval, subject to certain conditions. This right has limits and conditions that must be understood before proceeding — particularly regarding works to common infrastructure.

OCPP

Open Charge Point Protocol — the communication standard used by most modern EV chargers to connect to a central management system. OCPP compatibility is important for load management, remote monitoring, and billing. Not all chargers support the same OCPP version, which affects interoperability with management systems.

Mode 3 Charging

The standard for AC charging using a dedicated EV charging station (EVSE) connected to the grid. Mode 3 charging uses the Type 2 connector standard in Europe and supports communication between the charger and the vehicle. This is the appropriate mode for residential and commercial EV charging installations — not an extension cord or domestic socket.

Regulatory context

The legal framework
in plain terms.

EV charging in Portuguese condominiums sits at the intersection of several regulatory frameworks. Understanding how they interact is essential for a legally compliant installation.

Individual Rights (DL 90/2021)

Owners have the right to install EV charging at their parking space. This right is not unconditional — works affecting common infrastructure require a different process.

Technical Standards (RTIEBT)

The Regulamento Técnico de Instalações Eléctricas de Baixa Tensão sets the technical requirements for all low-voltage electrical installations, including EV charging points.

Condominium Law

The Regime da Propriedade Horizontal governs what decisions require assembly approval, what voting thresholds apply, and how common infrastructure modifications are handled.

ERSE Regulations

ERSE rules govern the supply contract, sub-metering requirements, and — for commercial operators — the obligations that apply to public charging infrastructure.

Consultant reviewing Portuguese energy regulatory documents and ERSE guidelines at a desk in Lisbon
Step-by-step

A guide for building
administrators.

1

Receive the first request

A resident contacts you about installing an EV charger. This is the moment to begin the process properly — not to call an installer immediately. Gather information about how many other residents might have the same need.

2

Assess the building's readiness

Before any proposal can be made, the building's electrical infrastructure must be understood. Commission an independent assessment that covers supply capacity, panel configuration, and parking layout.

3

Understand the options

Individual connections, shared infrastructure, load management, phased deployment — each option has implications for cost, flexibility, and future residents. The assessment should explain these clearly.

4

Design the cost allocation

How costs are distributed is often more contentious than the technical solution. A clear, fair, and documented cost allocation framework is essential before going to the assembly.

5

Prepare the assembly proposal

The proposal must be technically accurate, legally compliant, and written in language that all owners can understand. It should anticipate objections and provide clear answers.

6

Present and vote

The assembly presentation should be calm, factual, and responsive to questions. Having independent technical support in the room makes a significant difference to how the proposal is received.

7

Coordinate the installation

Once approved, select a certified installer and ensure the work is executed according to the approved plan. Keep documentation of the installation for the building's records.

Questions about your specific situation?

We are available to discuss the details of your building and explain what the planning process would involve. No obligation.

Contact us