Ashes transport guide
Bringing ashes home from Portugal
Death certificate (certidao de obito); Cremation certificate; Health authority authorisation This page covers what Portugal requires before they can leave.
Quick reference
Generally yes, with documentation. Notify airline in advance. Non-metallic container recommended for security screening.
Available in Lisbon, Porto, and most major cities. Growing availability. The Algarve has cremation facilities.
3-10 days to arrange
What does Portugal require before ashes can leave?
Death certificate (certidao de obito); Cremation certificate; Health authority authorisation
Carrying ashes out: Generally yes, with documentation. Notify airline in advance. Non-metallic container recommended for security screening.
Where cremation happens: Available in Lisbon, Porto, and most major cities. Growing availability. The Algarve has cremation facilities.
Traditionally burial. Cremation is growing in popularity, particularly in urban areas (Lisbon, Porto), but burial remains the majority practice.
Most full-service airlines allow ashes in carry-on with documentation. Budget airlines (Ryanair, easyJet) have specific policies. Check current terms.
Documentation language: Portuguese
Authority that must release the case: Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal e Ciencias Forenses (INMLCF)
The rules that apply on any route, and what you may do with ashes once home, are covered in bringing ashes into the UK.
Documents you need
- Death certificate (certidao de obito)
- Cremation certificate
- Health authority authorisation
What are the airline rules for carrying ashes?
Hand luggage guidance
Generally yes, with documentation. Notify airline in advance. Non-metallic container recommended for security screening.
What does Portugal require to export ashes?
Cremation is available in Portugal. Crematoriums will issue a cremation certificate, which is the core document for export. In some countries, additional certificates from health or foreign affairs authorities are required. The funeral director who handled the cremation will guide you on this.
What affects the cost?
Carrying ashes home yourself is the least expensive way to bring someone back from Portugal, and for many families it costs little more than the return flight they are already taking. We do not publish a figure, because what you pay depends on the case.
| What changes the cost | Why |
|---|---|
| Whether the cremation has already taken place | Arranging it locally adds funeral director and crematorium involvement |
| Where the death happened | Crematoria: Available in Lisbon, Porto, and most major cities. Growing availability. The Algarve has cremation facilities.. Distance to the nearest one changes local transfer |
| Carrying versus shipping | Hand luggage costs nothing extra; a specialist courier is a separate arrangement |
| Documentation Portugal requires | Export permits and translation, where they apply |
Send us the details of your situation and we will give you a figure, with no obligation.
Full repatriation guide
Complete guide: repatriation from Portugal
Deciding on cremation?
Cremation in Portugal: full guide including costs and what to expect
Official support
British Embassy in Portugal: contacts and what consular staff can do
Need guidance?
We can help with ashes transport
We deal with Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal e Ciencias Forenses (INMLCF) and the local crematorium directly.
Send an enquiryFurther guidance
Official lists for Portugal
Published by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office for British nationals. We are not connected to the firms listed.
- Translators and interpreters, for certified translation of the death certificate and permits
- Lawyers, where an estate or an investigation needs local legal advice
Sources: FCDO: death abroad · FCDO travel advice · Repatriation from Portugal
More on ashes and cremation abroad
Bringing ashes home from Portugal
Tell us where the ashes are now and where home is. We will explain what is needed and send you a quote. We send ashes home to the UK, Ireland or any other country.