Gas Supply in the Algarve

Bottled gas, piped gas, and cooking fuel options

The Algarve does not have a widespread piped natural gas network comparable to the UK's gas grid. Most households rely on bottled gas (gas de garrafa) for cooking, and some also use it for water heating. This is one of the more noticeable differences in daily life for residents moving from the UK.

Bottled gas in Portugal comes in two forms: butane (butano) and propane (propano). Butane is the standard for indoor use, sold in 13-kilogram cylinders that connect to a hob or oven via a regulator and hose. A 13-kilogram butane cylinder costs approximately 25 to 35 euros, depending on the supplier, and lasts a typical household four to eight weeks for cooking use. Propane is used for larger installations, outdoor cooking, and in colder areas where butane may not vaporise efficiently.

Gas cylinders can be purchased and exchanged at petrol stations, supermarkets (Continente and Pingo Doce sell them), hardware stores, and from door-to-door delivery services. The main brands are Galp, Repsol, and Rubis Gas. When your cylinder is empty, you exchange it for a full one of the same brand and size. Keeping a spare cylinder is sensible, as running out during a meal is an inconvenience best avoided.

Some newer apartment buildings and urbanisations in the Algarve have piped gas supply, either from a centralised LPG tank serving the development or, in limited areas of Faro and Portimao, from the small-scale natural gas network that has been developed in recent years. Residents of these buildings pay for gas through a monthly bill based on metered consumption.

For water heating, many Algarve homes use electric water heaters (termoacumuladores) or, increasingly, solar thermal panels with an electric backup. Solar water heating is highly effective in the Algarve's climate and can provide hot water for most of the year without any electricity input. Gas-fired water heaters (esquentadores) connected to bottled gas are also common, particularly in older properties.

Central heating systems powered by gas are rare in the Algarve. The mild winters mean that most homes do not have central heating at all, relying instead on electric heaters, air conditioning units in heat-pump mode, or wood-burning stoves (lareiras). The absence of central heating is one of the most common complaints from UK residents during the cooler months of December to February, when indoor temperatures can drop to the low teens in poorly insulated properties.

Safety with gas installations is important. Regulators and hoses should be replaced periodically, connections checked for leaks, and cylinders stored upright in ventilated areas. Never use a gas cylinder that appears damaged, corroded, or improperly sealed.

The absence of a piped gas network means that cooking in the Algarve relies heavily on bottled gas or electric hobs. Induction hobs, which are electric but offer the responsive control of gas, have become popular in recent years and are a practical alternative for those who dislike the inconvenience of bottled gas. An induction hob requires compatible cookware (magnetic-based pots and pans) and draws significant electrical power, so ensuring your contracted power (potencia contratada) is sufficient is important before installation.

For residents with swimming pools, gas-powered pool heaters offer an alternative to electric heat pumps or solar heating. These use propane from a larger external tank, typically supplied on a contract basis by Galp or Repsol, with the tank installed on the property and refilled periodically by the supplier. The cost of gas pool heating is variable and depends on usage, but it provides faster heating than solar and is more flexible than relying on electricity alone.