What is launching
From 15 June, Plugsurfing and Polestar Charge users can access 19,000+ charge points in Portugal, including 5,500+ DC and 2,000+ HPC (high-power charging) charge points.
Major operators in the coverage include EDP Comercial, Galp Power OPC, Powerdot, Atlante Infra Portugal, and WOWPLUG.
Polestar Charge subscription expands to Portugal
For Polestar drivers who charge in public regularly, the Polestar Charge subscription is now also available in Portugal. With the subscription you get:
- 30% off DC and HPC charging in Portugal at Powerdot, EDP, Repsol, KLC (Kilometer Low Cost), and IONITY.
- 30% off at selected charging partners in 16 other countries
- 30% off at IONITY throughout Europe
The Polestar Charge subscription costs €13.99 per month, billed to your credit or debit card.
Why Portugal is such an interesting market
Portugal is a fast-growing EV market. In 2025, battery electric vehicles (BEVs) made up 23.2 percent of new light passenger vehicle registrations in Portugal, up from 20.5 percent the year before. Plug-in hybrids added another 15.1 percent on top. The EU average for BEVs in the same year was 17.4 percent.
A meaningful share of new cars bought in Portugal is already electric. That means public charging is also a necessity, not a nice-to-have.
Public charging is growing, but access still matters
Portugal’s public charging network has been expanding quickly. According to Roland Berger’s EV Charging Index 2025, the number of public charge points in Portugal rose by 50 percent during 2024. At the same time, 49 percent of surveyed drivers said the country’s public charging infrastructure was still not sufficient for their needs, above the European average of 43 percent.
Growth and friction are happening at the same time. More chargers in the ground only help when drivers can find them, trust them, and pay for them through a solution they already know. That’s where we come in.
Who this is for
The Portugal launch matters for three groups.
Local drivers benefit because not every BEV owner can rely on home charging. City drivers, apartment residents, drivers on longer trips, and anyone needing a backup depend on the public network.
Drivers crossing in from Spain get the same charging experience without switching apps or cards at the border. That covers both holidaymakers and business travelers moving across Europe.
Travellers flying in benefit too. Visitors picking up a rental EV on the mainland or islands use the same Plugsurfing or Polestar Charge app they have at home.
Pro tip: pack a charging card
In Portugal, a large share of public chargers can only be started with a charging card. Chargers that accept app-based starts exist, but they’re not available everywhere.
Two things help:
- Order a Plugsurfing charging card if you don’t have one yet. It works alongside the app and gives you access to chargers you can’t start with the app.
- Filter the map to show only chargers you can start with the app. In the Plugsurfing app go to Map Settings → Start charging → App.
What this means for drivers
From 15 June, drivers can use the Plugsurfing app or Polestar Charge to find chargers and start sessions in Portugal. Same solution, more coverage.
