Repatriation from Gran Canaria, Spain

Gran Canaria Airport (LPA), also known as Las Palmas Airport, is the main international airport for the island and one of the busiest airports in Spain. Direct flights to dozens of UK airports operate year-round — not just in summer — making Gran Canaria one of the more logistically connected islands for repatriation to the UK.

LPA cargo and direct UK flights

Gran Canaria’s year-round UK visitor trade means airlines including British Airways, Jet2, TUI, easyJet, and Ryanair maintain regular LPA-UK routes. For cargo repatriation, British Airways (LPA-LHR) is the primary carrier used. Some cases also route via Madrid Barajas (MAD) for additional UK cargo options.

The geographic distance from Spain’s mainland — the Canary Islands are approximately 1,700 km south-west of mainland Spain, off the coast of West Africa — means that Grand Canaria operates under Spanish law but with some jurisdictional nuances compared to mainland Spain. The Canary Islands are a Spanish autonomous community and all standard Spanish repatriation procedures apply.

Juzgado de Instrucción process on Gran Canaria

Deaths on Gran Canaria that are sudden, unexpected, traumatic, or without a clear physician-certified natural cause are referred to the Juzgado de Instrucción in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. The Juzgado orders a judicial autopsy (autopsia médico-forense) before releasing the body. The death is then registered at the Registro Civil in Las Palmas.

Processing times: Physician-certified natural deaths — 3 to 7 working days. Juzgado cases: 2 to 4 weeks. Criminal investigation: allow 6 weeks or more.

Source: Ministerio de Justicia España, Registro Civil, 2024; Cabildo de Gran Canaria, 2024.

Documentation for export from Gran Canaria

Spanish death certificate (Registro Civil Las Palmas certified copy)
Juzgado release document where applicable
Licencia de enterramiento / export authorisation
Embalming certificate
Freedom from infection certificate
Airline cargo booking confirmation (LPA-LHR or via MAD)
Passport of the deceased

British consular contacts

The British Vice-Consulate in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (Edificio Cataluña, Calle Luis Morote 6-3, Las Palmas) handles consular registration and documentary assistance for British nationals on Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura. This is the first consular contact for Gran Canaria deaths. FCDO 24-hour emergency line: +44 (0)20 7008 5000.

Typical timeline from Gran Canaria

Direct cargo route (LPA-LHR), no Juzgado involvement: 7 to 14 days. Juzgado case: 14 to 28 days. Criminal investigation: allow 6 weeks or more.

Key local considerations

Gran Canaria has a large permanent British expatriate population, particularly in Playa del Inglés and Maspalomas. Deaths among older British residents are common and Gran Canaria funeral homes — especially those in the resort south of the island — are experienced in UK repatriation requirements.

Drowning deaths off Gran Canaria’s beaches, which include some Atlantic-facing coasts with strong currents, will typically involve the Juzgado. The Pozo Izquierdo area and the north coast are known for difficult sea conditions.

Winter is high season for British visitors (the opposite of Mediterranean Spain). November to March see the highest volumes of UK visitors on the island. Families should be aware that Las Palmas Registro Civil and Juzgado offices have normal staffing in winter, unlike Ibiza or Málaga which are effectively in low season.

For guidance on next steps, contact our team via our enquiry form or WhatsApp.

Information based on Ministerio de Justicia España Registro Civil guidance and FCDO consular services documentation. Last reviewed May 2026.