Voltage, Plug Type & Appliance Compatibility by Country
One of the most-asked relocation questions: will my hairdryer / laptop / kettle / vacuum cleaner work in the destination country? This reference covers mains voltage, frequency, plug types, and compatibility classification for US-spec (120V/60Hz) and UK/EU-spec (230V/50Hz) appliances across 55+ destinations.
Last reviewed: 2026-05-13. Voltage standards are stable; plug standards occasionally change (South Africa rolling out new SANS 164-2 in new builds since 2018).
| Country | Voltage | Freq | Plug types | US (120V) appliance | UK/EU (230V) appliance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Argentina | 220V | 50 Hz | C, I | Step-down transformer | Plug adapter only | — |
 Australia | 230V | 50 Hz | I | Step-down transformer | Plug adapter only | — |
 Austria | 230V | 50 Hz | C, F | Step-down transformer | Compatible | — |
 Belgium | 230V | 50 Hz | C, E | Step-down transformer | Compatible | — |
 Brazil | 127V / 220V (varies by region — Rio 127V, Brasília 220V, São Paulo 127V mostly) | 60 Hz | N (modern standard since 2010); also C, I in older buildings | Step-down transformer | Plug adapter only | Plug type N is unique to Brazil — adapter required for almost any international appliance. |
 Bulgaria | 230V | 50 Hz | C, F | Step-down transformer | Compatible | — |
 Canada | 120V | 60 Hz | A, B | Compatible | Step-down transformer | Identical electrical standard to US. |
 Chile | 220V | 50 Hz | C, L | Step-down transformer | Plug adapter only | — |
 China | 220V | 50 Hz | A, C, I | Step-down transformer | Plug adapter only | Chinese I-type plug is similar to but legally distinct from Australian/NZ I-type. |
 Colombia | 110V | 60 Hz | A, B | Compatible | Step-down transformer | — |
 Czech Republic | 230V | 50 Hz | C, E | Step-down transformer | Compatible | — |
 Denmark | 230V | 50 Hz | C, E, F, K | Step-down transformer | Plug adapter only | Danish K-type has small ground pin that doesn't fit standard EU plugs without adapter. |
 Egypt | 220V | 50 Hz | C, F | Step-down transformer | Compatible | — |
 Estonia | 230V | 50 Hz | C, F | Step-down transformer | Compatible | — |
 Finland | 230V | 50 Hz | C, F | Step-down transformer | Compatible | — |
 France | 230V | 50 Hz | C, E | Step-down transformer | Compatible | — |
 Germany | 230V | 50 Hz | C, F (Schuko) | Step-down transformer | Compatible | Schuko (F) is the most common Continental European plug type. |
 Greece | 230V | 50 Hz | C, F | Step-down transformer | Compatible | — |
 Hong Kong | 220V | 50 Hz | G | Step-down transformer | Compatible | — |
 Hungary | 230V | 50 Hz | C, F | Step-down transformer | Compatible | — |
 Iceland | 230V | 50 Hz | C, F | Step-down transformer | Compatible | — |
 India | 230V | 50 Hz | C, D, M | Step-down transformer | Plug adapter only | M-type (large 3-pin) common for high-power appliances. Adapters and surge protection essential. |
 Indonesia | 230V | 50 Hz | C, F | Step-down transformer | Compatible | — |
 Ireland | 230V | 50 Hz | G | Step-down transformer | Compatible | Uses UK G-type plug, not the EU C/F type. |
 Israel | 230V | 50 Hz | C, H, M | Step-down transformer | Plug adapter only | Israeli H-type 3-pin is unique to Israel and the Palestinian territories. Adapters always needed. |
 Italy | 230V | 50 Hz | C, F, L | Step-down transformer | Compatible | Italian L-type plugs (3-pin in-line) coexist with Schuko F-type. Older buildings often use L exclusively. |
 Japan | 100V | 50/60 Hz (split country — east 50Hz, west 60Hz) | A, B | Compatible | Step-down transformer | Lowest mains voltage in the developed world. US appliances work but at slightly reduced performance. UK/EU appliances need step-down transformer and frequency-tolerant motors. |
 Kuwait | 240V | 50 Hz | G | Step-down transformer | Compatible | — |
 Malaysia | 240V | 50 Hz | G | Step-down transformer | Compatible | — |
 Mexico | 127V | 60 Hz | A, B | Compatible | Step-down transformer | — |
 Morocco | 220V | 50 Hz | C, E | Step-down transformer | Compatible | — |
 Netherlands | 230V | 50 Hz | C, F | Step-down transformer | Compatible | — |
 New Zealand | 230V | 50 Hz | I | Step-down transformer | Plug adapter only | Same I-type plug as Australia. |
 Norway | 230V | 50 Hz | C, F | Step-down transformer | Compatible | — |
 Pakistan | 230V | 50 Hz | C, D, G, M | Step-down transformer | Plug adapter only | — |
 Peru | 220V | 60 Hz | A, B, C | Step-down transformer | Plug adapter only | Unusual combination — 220V voltage with 60Hz frequency. Most international appliances will run but motors may be affected. |
 Philippines | 220V | 60 Hz | A, B, C | Step-down transformer | Plug adapter only | Unusual 220V / 60Hz combination — US-spec dual-voltage appliances may run hot. |
 Poland | 230V | 50 Hz | C, E | Step-down transformer | Compatible | — |
 Portugal | 230V | 50 Hz | C, F | Step-down transformer | Compatible | — |
 Qatar | 240V | 50 Hz | D, G | Step-down transformer | Compatible | — |
 Romania | 230V | 50 Hz | C, F | Step-down transformer | Compatible | — |
 Russia | 220V | 50 Hz | C, F | Step-down transformer | Compatible | — |
 Saudi Arabia | 220V / 230V (varies) | 60 Hz | A, B, F, G | Step-down transformer | Plug adapter only | Mixed system — older Saudi buildings 127V / 60Hz; newer 230V / 60Hz; 60Hz throughout (unusual for 230V regions). |
 Singapore | 230V | 50 Hz | G | Step-down transformer | Compatible | — |
 South Africa | 230V | 50 Hz | C, M, N (new SANS 164-2) | Step-down transformer | Plug adapter only | New SANS 164-2 standard (similar to Brazil N) being rolled out since 2018 for new builds. |
 South Korea | 220V | 60 Hz | C, F | Step-down transformer | Compatible | — |
 Spain | 230V | 50 Hz | C, F | Step-down transformer | Compatible | — |
 Sweden | 230V | 50 Hz | C, F | Step-down transformer | Compatible | — |
 Switzerland | 230V | 50 Hz | C, J | Step-down transformer | Plug adapter only | Swiss J-type plug is similar to but incompatible with Continental C/F — Schuko adapters typically needed. |
 Taiwan | 110V | 60 Hz | A, B | Compatible | Step-down transformer | — |
 Thailand | 220V | 50 Hz | A, B, C, F, O | Step-down transformer | Plug adapter only | Type O is the modern Thai standard (TIS 166-2549); rare in older buildings. |
 Turkey | 230V | 50 Hz | C, F | Step-down transformer | Compatible | — |
 United Arab Emirates | 230V | 50 Hz | G (UK) | Step-down transformer | Compatible | Uses British G-type plug despite Arabic-speaking region. |
 United Kingdom | 230V | 50 Hz | G | Step-down transformer | Compatible | Plug type G (3-pin with fuse) is unique to UK, Ireland, Cyprus, Malta, Singapore, HK. |
 United States | 120V | 60 Hz | A, B | Compatible | Step-down transformer | Native US system. UK/EU 230V appliances need a step-down transformer for 120V; clocks and motors will run slow on 60Hz vs 50Hz. |
 Vietnam | 220V | 50 Hz | A, C, F | Step-down transformer | Compatible | — |
Reading this matrix
- "Compatible" = appliance can be plugged directly (with appropriate plug adapter) and operates safely on local voltage.
- "Plug adapter only" = electrical compatibility matches (same voltage range) but plug shape differs — need a passive plug adapter only, no transformer.
- "Step-down transformer" = voltage incompatibility — need an active step-down / step-up transformer rated for the appliance wattage. Resistive loads (heaters, kettles, irons) need substantial transformers (1000W+); motors (vacuum cleaners, fridges) also need frequency-tolerant designs.
- Dual-voltage appliances (laptop chargers, phone chargers, modern hair tools) marked "100-240V 50/60Hz" on the spec plate work everywhere with just a plug adapter.
- Frequency mismatch (50Hz vs 60Hz) affects clocks and synchronous-motor appliances. Modern electronics are typically agnostic. Old-style mechanical clocks will run fast or slow.
- Three regions to watch: Brazil (unique N-type plug, mixed 127V/220V regional), Switzerland (J-type incompatible with Schuko despite both 230V), Israel (H-type unique).
See also: Driving licence exchange · Apostille by country.