What are the power plugs and sockets used in Europe ? Different types of power plugs and sockets are used on the European continent. But in almost all European countries – with the exception of the English islands (United Kingdom and Ireland) and the islands of Malta and Cyprus – the type C socket with two round pins is universally used. In most European countries the classic power plugs and sockets of type C and F are generally used, both with two round plugs. While in France, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland power plugs and sockets of type C and E are used instead, both with two round pins.
In the United Kingdom and in countries historically linked to the United Kingdom – such as Ireland, Cyprus and Malta – three-blade rectangular type G power plugs and sockets are used in a triangular pattern. While in European countries historically linked to Denmark, i.e. in Greenland and the Faroe Islands, power plugs and sockets of type C, E, F, K are used. In Italy and San Marino in addition to the classic power plugs and sockets of type C and F is also used – increasingly rarely – also the L type socket. In Switzerland and Liechtenstein power plugs and sockets of type C and J are used instead.
