Who to notify after a death
A complete list of entities and organizations you need to contact after a death in Portugal, with ready-to-use letter templates.
Use the letter templates below
We provide ready-to-use letter templates for the most common notifications. Simply copy the text, fill in the details, and send. Most entities accept notifications by letter, email, or in person.
Urgent notifications (first 48 hours)
🏥 Conservatória do Registo Civil
Register the death within 48 hours. Bring the death verification certificate and the deceased's Cartão de Cidadão.
Alternative: Use the Espaço Óbito service at the hospital if available.
🚒 Funeral home (Agência Funerária)
Contact a funeral home to arrange transport and funeral services. You are free to choose any provider. Always request a written quote.
First week notifications
🏦 Banks and financial institutions
Notify every bank where the deceased held accounts, credit cards, or loans. Accounts will be frozen until the inheritance process is complete.
🛡 Insurance companies
Contact all insurers: life, health, home, car, and funeral insurance. Many have claim deadlines, so act promptly.
🏛 Segurança Social
Report the death to stop ongoing payments and request the Subsídio por Morte (1,611.39 EUR). Phone: 300 502 502.
📈 Portal das Finanças (tax authority)
Notify the Autoridade Tributária of the death. This may be done automatically via Espaço Óbito, but verify.
💼 Employer
Notify the deceased's employer. Collect any outstanding wages, holiday pay, and employment benefits. Also notify your own employer for bereavement leave.
📧 CTT (Portuguese post office)
Set up mail redirection to your address to receive any correspondence addressed to the deceased.
Within the first month
⚖ Cartório Notarial
Begin the habilitação de herdeiros (heir qualification) process.
🚗 IMT (Vehicle registration)
Transfer or cancel vehicle registration. Update insurance.
💡 Utility companies
Electricity (EDP, Endesa, etc.), gas (Galp, etc.), water (municipal), internet/phone (MEO, NOS, Vodafone).
🏠 Landlord or housing
If renting, notify the landlord. Rental contracts have specific succession rules under Portuguese law.
Other entities
📋 Professional associations
Ordem dos Advogados, Ordem dos Médicos, etc.
🎓 Educational institutions
Schools or universities if the deceased was enrolled.
💳 Subscriptions
Cancel gym, streaming, magazines, online services, etc.
Letter templates
General notification letter (bank, insurance, utilities)
Subject: Notification of Death - [Full name of the deceased] Dear Sir/Madam, I am writing to inform you of the death of [Full name of the deceased], holder of Cartão de Cidadão/NIF number [NIF number], which occurred on [date of death]. I am [your relationship, e.g., "the surviving spouse" / "a legal heir"] and I am writing to request: - The closure/suspension of account/contract number [number], held in the name of the deceased - Information about any outstanding balances, insurance claims, or procedures required from your side - Any documents I need to provide to complete this process I attach a certified copy of the death certificate for your records. Please contact me at the following details for any further information: Name: [Your full name] NIF: [Your NIF] Phone: [Your phone number] Email: [Your email] Address: [Your address] Thank you for your assistance during this difficult time. Yours faithfully, [Your name] [Date]
Letter to employer (requesting outstanding payments)
Subject: Notification of Death of Employee - [Full name of the deceased] Dear Sir/Madam, I am writing to inform you of the death of [Full name of the deceased], employee at [Company name], which occurred on [date of death]. As [your relationship] and legal heir, I kindly request: - Payment of any outstanding wages, holiday pay (férias não gozadas), and Christmas bonus (subsídio de Natal) due - Information about any life insurance or death benefits provided by the company - Return of any personal belongings at the workplace - A statement of the deceased's employment history and final payments I attach a certified copy of the death certificate. Contact details: Name: [Your full name] Phone: [Your phone number] Email: [Your email] Thank you for your understanding. Yours faithfully, [Your name] [Date]
Letter to Segurança Social (death subsidy request)
Subject: Request for Subsídio por Morte - [Full name of the deceased] Dear Sir/Madam, I am writing to request the Subsídio por Morte (Death Subsidy) following the death of [Full name of the deceased], NISS number [Social Security number], which occurred on [date of death]. I am [your relationship, e.g., "the surviving spouse"], and I request the payment of the death subsidy as provided by law. I attach the following documents: - Certified copy of the death certificate - Copy of my Cartão de Cidadão - Proof of family relationship (marriage/birth certificate) Bank details for payment: IBAN: [Your IBAN] Contact details: Name: [Your full name] NIF: [Your NIF] NISS: [Your NISS] Phone: [Your phone number] Thank you for your assistance. Yours faithfully, [Your name] [Date]
Letter for subscription cancellation (streaming, gym, magazines)
Subject: Notification of Death - Subscription Cancellation - [Full name of the deceased] Dear Sir/Madam, I am writing to inform you of the death of [Full name of the deceased], holder of account/subscription number [Account/subscription number], which occurred on [date of death]. I attach a certified copy of the death certificate. I request the immediate cancellation of the above subscription/service, as well as the cessation of any future charges. If there are any amounts paid in advance for periods after the death, I request a refund to: - IBAN: [IBAN for refund] - Account holder: [Account holder name] Contact details of the family representative: - Name: [Your full name] - NIF: [Your NIF] - Phone: [Your phone number] - Email: [Your email] - Relationship: [Your relationship to the deceased] Yours faithfully, [Location], [Date] [Your name]
Letter to school or university
Subject: Notification of Death - [Full name of the deceased] Dear Head Teacher / Director, I am writing to inform you of the death of [Full name of the deceased], [father/mother/guardian] of student [Student name], who attends [Year/Class/Course], which occurred on [date of death]. I attach a certified copy of the death certificate. I request that this information be communicated to the class teacher and the school psychology service, so they can provide appropriate support to the student during this difficult period. I also inform you that the new guardian will be: - Name: [Name of new guardian] - Phone: [Phone number] - Email: [Email] - Relationship to the student: [Relationship] I appreciate your understanding and willingness to support [Student name] during this period. Yours faithfully, [Location], [Date] [Your name]
Letter to telecom provider (MEO, NOS, Vodafone)
Subject: Notification of Death - Contract Holder - [Full name of the deceased]
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to inform you of the death of [Full name of the deceased],
holder of contract number [Contract number], associated with
phone number(s)/service(s) [Phone/service number(s)],
which occurred on [date of death].
I attach a certified copy of the death certificate.
I request:
[ ] The cancellation of the contract and all associated services,
effective from [Date], without application of early termination
penalties, in accordance with applicable legislation.
[ ] The transfer of the contract to the following holder:
- Name: [Name of new holder]
- NIF: [NIF]
- Cartao de Cidadao: [CC number]
I also request:
- The deactivation of all associated direct debits
- The final invoice to be sent to [Address/Email]
- Information on the return of any equipment
Contact details of the family representative:
- Name: [Your full name]
- NIF: [Your NIF]
- Phone: [Your phone number]
- Email: [Your email]
Yours faithfully,
[Location], [Date]
[Your name]