Death abroad - Partida Final

First step: contact the consulate

If a Portuguese citizen has died abroad, contact the Portuguese consulate or embassy in that country immediately. The Portuguese consular network is available 24 hours through the consular emergency line: +351 217 929 714.

Portuguese citizen who dies abroad

Immediate procedures

When a Portuguese citizen dies abroad, the process involves several steps and entities, both in the country where the death occurred and in Portugal.

→ Contact the Portuguese consulate – The consulate is the first point of contact and can guide you through the entire process
→ Obtain the local death certificate – Issued by the authorities of the country where the death occurred
→ Register the death at the consulate – This allows you to obtain a Portuguese death certificate
→ Decide on repatriation or local funeral – The family must decide whether to bring the body back to Portugal
→ Contact the insurance company – If there is travel insurance or life insurance with international coverage

Repatriation of the body

Bringing the body back to Portugal is a complex and expensive process that involves:

→ Mandatory embalming for air transport
→ Sealed metal coffin (required by most airlines)
→ International health documentation
→ Laissez-passer mortuaire (mortuary passport)
→ Air transport as special cargo
→ Coordination with a funeral home in Portugal for reception

Repatriation costs

Costs vary significantly depending on the country of origin:

→ Europe: 3,000 - 8,000 EUR
→ North America: 6,000 - 12,000 EUR
→ South America / Africa: 5,000 - 15,000 EUR
→ Asia / Oceania: 8,000 - 15,000 EUR

Cremation in the country of origin and transport of ashes is significantly less expensive (500 - 2,000 EUR).

The importance of travel insurance

Travel insurance with repatriation coverage can save the family thousands of euros. Most travel insurance policies include repatriation of the body or ashes. Always check that the insurance covers: funeral repatriation, embalming costs, family member accompaniment, and any additional stays required.

Foreigner who dies in Portugal

Procedures in Portugal

When a foreign citizen dies in Portugal, the initial procedures are similar to those for a Portuguese citizen, but with additional steps:

→ Death declaration – Made by the doctor, as for Portuguese citizens
→ Death registration – At the Conservatoria do Registo Civil in the area where the death occurred
→ Notify the embassy/consulate – Of the deceased's country of nationality
→ Contact the family abroad – The embassy can assist with this process
→ Decide on repatriation – Whether the family wishes the funeral to take place in the country of origin

Required documentation

For repatriation from Portugal

→ Portuguese death certificate
→ Passport or identity document of the deceased
→ Authorisation from the consulate of the destination country
→ Embalming certificate
→ Laissez-passer mortuaire
→ Non-contagion certificate

For repatriation to Portugal

→ Death certificate from the country of origin (apostilled or legalised)
→ Official translation of documents
→ Passport or Cartao de Cidadao of the deceased
→ Authorisation from the Portuguese consulate
→ International health certificate
→ Customs documentation for coffin entry

Useful contacts

Portuguese consular network

→ Consular emergency line: +351 217 929 714 (24h)
→ Ministry of Foreign Affairs: +351 213 946 000
→ Portal das Comunidades: portaldascomunidades.mne.gov.pt
→ Consulate directory: available on the MNE website

Other entities

→ IATA (air transport): for information on transporting human remains
→ International funeral agencies: specialised in repatriation
→ Insurance company: contact immediately if travel insurance exists
→ Airline: for transporting ashes as luggage

Recommendation

If you travel abroad regularly, make sure you have travel insurance with adequate repatriation coverage. Premium credit cards often include this type of coverage. Check the details of your policy before each trip.