How do you bring a loved one home from Portugal?

First 24 hours

What should happen in the first 24 hours after a death in Portugal?

Contact emergency services (112 for all emergencies). A doctor must certify the death and issue a certificate of death (certificado de obito). If death occurs outside a hospital, contact the local PSP (Policia de Seguranca Publica) in urban areas or GNR (Guarda Nacional Republicana) in rural areas. Contact the British Embassy in Lisbon.

The most important step is to contact a specialist repatriation company. They will tell you exactly what to do and begin coordinating with local authorities on your behalf.

Timeline

How long does repatriation from Portugal take?

In most cases, repatriation from Portugal takes 7-14 days. The fastest straightforward cases complete in 5-7 days. Complex cases involving a post-mortem, criminal investigation, or a remote location can extend to 3-6 weeks or beyond.

What makes a case complex?

• Post-mortem investigation (prosecutor involvement)
• Death in Madeira or Azores (adds internal transport leg)
• Weekend or public holiday closures
• August holiday season (reduced staffing, similar to Spain)
• Remote rural areas with limited English-speaking funeral directors
• Missing documents or identification issues

Documentation

What documents are required to bring a body home from Portugal?

All of these documents must be in place before air transport can proceed. Your appointed repatriation coordinator will obtain most of them.

• Portuguese death certificate (certidao de obito, multilingual if possible)
• Embalming certificate
• Freedom from infection certificate
• Passport of deceased (or copy)
• Transit authorisation from Portuguese health authority
• Airline cargo documentation

Documentation typically takes 3-7 days for full documentation to complete.

Post-mortem

Will a post-mortem be required in Portugal?

Post mortem ordered by the public prosecutor (Ministerio Publico) if death is sudden, violent, suspicious, or cause of death is unknown..

Can delay repatriation by 1-4 weeks. Prosecutor must authorise release of the body.

British Embassy

What does the British Embassy in Portugal do when someone dies?

The British Embassy provides consular assistance, which includes giving you a list of local funeral directors, helping you notify relatives, and advising on local procedures. What the Embassy cannot do is pay for repatriation, organise the funeral director, or make arrangements on your behalf.

Alternative option

Can ashes be brought home from Portugal instead of a full body?

Yes, cremation facilities are available in Portugal. Transporting ashes to the UK requires specific documents and must comply with airline regulations.

Documents needed to transport ashes

• Death certificate (certidao de obito)
• Cremation certificate
• Health authority authorisation

Generally yes, with documentation. Notify airline in advance. Non-metallic container recommended for security screening.

Getting started

How do you start the repatriation process from Portugal?

Call a specialist repatriation company. Do not wait until all other steps are complete. A specialist can begin the process immediately, even before the local death certificate has been issued.

You will need to provide: the name of the deceased, the location of the body, your contact details, and the name and contact of the local hospital or authority holding the body.

More questions

Other frequently asked questions about repatriation from Portugal