Europe to China plug adapter guide

Possibly not — and this surprises many European travellers.

China widely uses multi-standard sockets that accept Type A (US flat pins), Type C (European round pins), and Type I (Australian angled pins) in a single outlet. In most modern Chinese hotels, your European Type C charger will plug straight in without any adapter.

Type E and F plugs (which have grounding pins or clips in addition to the two round pins) are less likely to fit the multi-standard sockets directly — the grounding element prevents a clean fit. Options:

• Most European chargers (phone chargers, laptop bricks) use a bare Type C plug without grounding and fit Chinese sockets directly.
• For Type E/F appliances (toothbrushes, some laptop chargers, shavers), carry a small Type E/F to Type A or Type C adapter.
• A compact universal adapter covering all European types and Chinese outputs covers every scenario.

Always carry an adapter as backup — older Chinese buildings and rural accommodation may not have multi-standard sockets.

No. Europe runs on 230V and China on 220V — a 10V difference that is well within every modern device's operating tolerance. Your European electronics work on Chinese power without any converter.

All devices with INPUT: 100–240V handle this automatically. Even devices designed only for European 230V operate safely on 220V Chinese power. This is one of the easiest electrical routes in the world — plug shape is the only real consideration.

Adapters are widely available in China — airport electronics shops, hotel front desks, and convenience stores near tourist accommodation all stock them. Given that Type C plugs often fit Chinese multi-standard sockets directly, try your plug on arrival before buying anything. Many European travellers to major Chinese cities find they never need an adapter at all.