Italy Plug Adapter Guide: Type L Sockets, 10A vs 16A and What UK Travellers Actually Need

The fourth night of my first trip to Italy, in a small hotel in Florence, I plugged my UK-to-EU adapter into the wall socket beside the bed and watched it sit half-in, half-out, doing nothing. The socket was clearly not a Schuko — three round pins arranged in a single straight line — and my adapter, designed for German and Spanish sockets, simply didn’t fit the holes. The fix took twenty minutes of asking at reception, then a five-minute walk to a tabacchi on the corner where the man behind the counter sold me a small round adapter for €4 that finally connected my UK plug to the Italian socket.

Italy is the awkward one. Of the major European destinations from the UK, it’s the country where a “European” adapter is most likely to fail you, because Italy uses a socket type — Type L — that no other Western European country uses. It’s worse than that: Italy uses two sizes of Type L socket, the 10-amp small-pin and the 16-amp large-pin, and they are not always interchangeable. This guide explains what plug Italy actually uses, what the two sizes mean for UK travellers, why modern Italian hotels are quietly fixing the problem with hybrid “bipasso” sockets, and what to pack.

Quick answer: Italy uses Type L plugs (three round pins in a single row) at 230V / 50Hz. UK travellers need an Italy-specific Type L adapter — standard CEE 7/7 EU Schuko adapters do not fit. No voltage converter is needed because Italy runs at the same voltage as the UK. Many modern Italian hotels now also have Type F (Schuko) or Schuko/Type-L hybrid “bipasso” sockets — a standard EU adapter may work in newer construction.

How Italian Plug Sockets Work — The Basics

Italy uses Type L sockets — three round pins arranged in a single horizontal line, with the earth pin in the centre and the two power pins on either side. The standard is called CEI 23-50 and is unique to Italy, San Marino and the Vatican (and some legacy sockets in Chile, Ethiopia and Cuba).

The complication: Type L comes in two sizes that are not always interchangeable.

Type L 10A — small 4mm pins spaced 19mm apart. Rated to 10 amps (about 2,300W at 230V). Fits the older, narrower Italian socket. This is the format you will find in most older buildings and many hotel rooms.

Type L 16A — larger 5mm pins spaced 26mm apart. Rated to 16 amps (about 3,700W at 230V). Fits a wider, larger socket. Found in modern construction and on appliances that draw more current (washing machines, ovens, air conditioners).

A 10A plug does not fit a 16A socket (pins are too small and spaced too closely). A 16A plug does not fit a 10A socket (pins are too big). This is the part that catches travellers out — an adapter bought for one size will not work in the other, and you cannot tell from a quick glance at the wall which size socket you have.

The fix Italy has been quietly rolling out: “bipasso” sockets — modern hybrid sockets that accept both 10A and 16A Type L plugs in the same opening, often also accepting Type C and Type F (Schuko). In a four- or five-star hotel built or refurbished in the last decade, you will almost always find these. In older buildings and budget hotels you will not.

Feature	UK (Type G)	Italy (Type L)
Pin shape	3 rectangular	3 round in a row
Voltage	230V	230V
Frequency	50Hz	50Hz
Adapter needed	—	Yes (Type L specific)
Voltage converter needed	—	No
Will a CEE 7/7 EU adapter fit?	—	Sometimes (only in modern bipasso sockets)
Pin size variation	—	10A small / 16A large

San Marino and the Vatican Use the Same Plugs

The Republic of San Marino and Vatican City both use the same Type L socket standard and the same 230V / 50Hz supply as Italy. A single Italian adapter covers visits to all three on the same trip.

This is one of the few European country groupings where the plug standard is shared but the political identity is separate.

Do UK Travellers Need a Voltage Converter for Italy?

No. Italy operates at 230V / 50Hz under the same IEC 60038 harmonised standard as the UK and the rest of Europe. Your British devices are already matched to the voltage in any Italian socket. Only the plug shape needs converting — not the electricity itself.

The label test: turn over each device and read the input rating. “100–240V, 50/60Hz” means dual voltage — works in Italy with a Type L adapter alone. “220–240V” or “230V” also works in Italy with just an adapter.

You will see older travel sites describe Italy as “220V” — outdated. Italy adopted the harmonised 230V standard along with the rest of the EU in 1997.

Which UK to Italy Plug Adapter Should You Buy?

Three useful options depending on which size of Type L socket you expect to encounter and whether you’re combining Italy with other European countries.

For a Standard Italy Trip

UK to Italy Type L Plug Adapter 2-Pack — approximately £5–9. Slim Type L 10A output — fits the standard small-pin Italian socket you will encounter in most hotel rooms, apartments and tourist destinations. One for the bedside, one for the bathroom. Adequate for phones, laptops and any device under 2,000W.

For Italy + Rest of Europe

Universal Travel Adapter with Type C/E/F/J/L — approximately £15–25. A single adapter with slide-out fittings for every European plug type including Italian Type L, Swiss Type J and the CEE 7/7 hybrid that covers the rest of mainland Europe. The right pick if your itinerary combines Italy with France, Germany, Spain or Switzerland.

For High-Wattage Devices (Hair Dryers, CPAP)

Grounded Type L Adapter with Surge Protection — approximately £12–18. Grounded Type L output with surge protection — essential for CPAP machines and worth the extra few pounds for a hair dryer or Dyson Airwrap. Some older Italian buildings have less stable supply than modern UK wiring.

Universal / Frequent Travellers

SKROSS World Adapter — approximately £20–35. Covers Italian Type L alongside 200+ other countries with a single grounded unit. BS 8546 certified — meets the UK travel-adapter safety standard. The right pick if Italy is part of a longer multi-region trip.

Pick	Price (Amazon UK)	Best for
Type L 10A 2-pack	£5–9	Standard Italy trip in modern hotels
Universal C/E/F/J/L	£15–25	Italy + mainland Europe
Grounded Type L + surge	£12–18	CPAP, hair tools, older properties
SKROSS World	£20–35	Frequent multi-region travellers

Airport note: WH Smith and Boots at UK airports occasionally stock Italy-specific adapters, but supply is unreliable — many travellers wrongly assume a generic “EU” adapter will work and don’t realise until they arrive. Buy on Amazon UK before you travel.

In Italy: Tobacconists (tabacchi), supermarkets (Coop, Esselunga) and Brico Centre DIY stores all sell Type L adapters for €4–8. Hotel receptions in Rome, Milan, Florence and Venice often have one to lend.

Will My Devices Work in Italy?

Phones, Tablets and Laptops

Yes — same voltage, same frequency. A Type L adapter is all you need for any modern dual-voltage charger.

A useful shortcut: two-pin Europlug (Type C) chargers fit an Italian socket directly with no adapter. The two outer pins of an Italian Type L socket are spaced exactly for a Europlug. If your UK phone charger has a removable Type G plug head and the inner barrel is a two-pin Europlug, you can use it natively. Some Anker and UGREEN GaN chargers ship like this.

Hair Dryers and Straighteners

UK hair dryers work in Italy with a Type L plug adapter — the voltage is identical. Watch the wattage: most UK hair dryers draw 1,800–2,000W, comfortably within the 10A Type L socket’s 2,300W limit, but a 2,200W professional dryer can push the limit. Use a grounded Type L adapter.

Most GHD straightener models are dual voltage and work fine. The GHD 3.1b labelled “230V only” works in Italy because Italy is 230V.

Dyson Airwrap

If your Dyson Airwrap was purchased in the UK or EU, it is rated 220–240V and works in Italy with a Type L plug adapter. The US Airwrap (110–120V) is not compatible.

CPAP Machines

Most modern CPAP units are universal voltage (100–240V) and work in Italy with a grounded Type L adapter. Use a grounded adapter (not a basic 2-pin Type C) for the earth connection. Do not use a voltage converter — it can damage the power supply.

Electric Toothbrushes

UK Oral-B and Braun chargers work in Italy with a Type L adapter. Many Italian hotel bathrooms have a Type C shaver socket which accepts two-pin Europlug chargers directly — useful for charging toothbrushes without an adapter.

Hotel Rooms in Rome, Florence, Venice and Milan

The major Italian tourist cities are the best-prepared for international visitors. Five-star and most four-star hotels in Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan and Naples now use bipasso sockets — universal Italian sockets that accept Type L (both sizes), Type C and often Type F (Schuko). In these rooms, a standard EU CEE 7/7 adapter often works, alongside a dedicated Type L adapter.

USB-A and USB-C ports built into bedside lamps and desks are increasingly common in newer Italian hotels. For phone charging only, you may not need a plug at all.

Boutique hotels in older buildings, agriturismi in Tuscany and Umbria, restored masserie in Puglia, and Airbnbs in historic centres are far more likely to have older Type L 10A sockets only. Pack a Type L adapter regardless of what the hotel website claims.

Regional Notes — Sicily, Sardinia, Italian Lakes

All of Italy — including Sicily, Sardinia, Capri, the Amalfi Coast, the Italian Lakes (Como, Garda, Maggiore), and the Dolomites — uses the same Type L socket standard at 230V / 50Hz. A single Italian adapter covers any destination within the country.

The northern Italian Alps and the Italy-Switzerland border region (around Como, Lugano and Lake Maggiore) sometimes have a few Swiss Type J sockets in historic border-area hotels, but Type L is the universal standard and what you should plan for.

Frequently Asked Questions

What plug adapter do I need for Italy from the UK?

A UK Type G to Italian Type L plug adapter. Standard CEE 7/7 EU Schuko adapters do not reliably fit Italian sockets — you need a Type L-specific or universal adapter.

Do I need a voltage converter for Italy?

No. Italy operates at 230V / 50Hz under the same standard as the UK. Only a plug adapter is needed.

Will a normal EU plug adapter work in Italy?

Mostly no. Standard CEE 7/7 Schuko adapters do not fit a standard Italian Type L socket. They may fit a modern “bipasso” socket in newer four- and five-star hotels, but not in older buildings or budget accommodation. Pack a Type L adapter regardless.

Why are there two different sizes of Italian plug?

Italy uses Type L sockets in 10A (smaller pins) and 16A (larger pins) variants. The 10A version is the standard for household devices; the 16A is for heavy appliances. As a tourist you’ll almost always encounter the 10A — but pack a universal adapter or a 10A-specific Type L adapter to be safe.

Does the same adapter work for Italy, San Marino and Vatican City?

Yes. All three use the same Type L socket and 230V / 50Hz electricity supply.

Will my UK hair dryer work in Italy?

Yes. The voltage is identical (230V). Use a grounded Type L adapter for any device above 1,500W.

Will my MacBook work in Italy?

Yes. All MacBook chargers are dual voltage. A Type L plug adapter is all you need.

Will my GHD work in Italy?

Yes. Most GHD models are dual voltage. The GHD 3.1b labelled “230V only” works in Italy because Italy is 230V.

Why does my European adapter fit in some Italian sockets but not others?

Modern Italian “bipasso” sockets accept Type C, F and L plugs in the same opening. Older Italian sockets accept only Type L. Five-star hotels generally have bipasso; older buildings, family-run hotels and Airbnbs generally do not.

Can I buy a Type L adapter in Italy?

Yes — tobacconists (tabacchi), supermarkets and DIY stores sell them for €4–8. Buy at the airport on arrival if you forgot to pack one. But Italian-style adapters from these shops are usually Italian-to-foreign — for UK plugs to Italian sockets, bring your own.

Are cheap Amazon Italian adapters safe?

Most work fine. For high-wattage appliances (hair dryers, CPAP machines) or long stays, a BS 8546-certified adapter such as the SKROSS is the safer choice.

Before You Pack for Italy

• Confirm you have a Type L plug adapter — a standard “European” adapter from a previous trip will likely not fit Italian sockets.
• Turn over each device and read the input label. “100–240V” or “220–240V” means a Type L adapter is all you need.
• If your trip combines Italy with France, Germany or Switzerland, pack a universal multi-fitting adapter rather than separate adapters for each country.
• Two-pin Europlug chargers fit Italian sockets directly — check whether your phone charger has a removable plug head you can swap.
• For a CPAP machine or hair tool, use a grounded Type L adapter (not a basic two-pin one).

For the wider regional picture, see our European plug adapter guide. For country-specific guides see our Spain plug adapter guide, France plug adapter guide, and UK to Switzerland plug adapter guide.