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

The British Embassy can register the death, provide a list of approved local funeral directors, help trace next of kin, and offer consular assistance. They do not fund or coordinate repatriation.

What is the emergency phone number for the British Embassy in Spain?

The FCDO 24-hour consular assistance line is +44 (0)20 7008 5000. This line handles all emergencies for British nationals abroad.

Consular assistance

British Embassy contacts for Spain: when someone dies abroad

If a British national dies in Spain, the Embassy is usually the first official body to contact. This page lists the main and emergency numbers, explains what consular staff can and cannot do, and links to the resources you need.

FCDO 24/7 line: +44 (0)20 7008 5000

Emergency numbers

FCDO 24-hour line (from UK)

+44 (0)20 7008 5000

British Embassy in Spain

+34 917 146 300

Always verify numbers before calling

Embassy phone numbers change. Confirm current details at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/spain before a trip. The FCDO 24-hour line (+44 (0)20 7008 5000) is the most reliable point of contact in an emergency.

Contact details

British Embassy and consulates in Spain

British Embassy

Madrid

Torre Espacio, Paseo de la Castellana 259D, 28046 Madrid

+34 917 146 300 Official website

Consulate

Barcelona

+34 933 666 200

Consulate

Malaga

+34 952 352 300

Consulate

Alicante

+34 965 216 022

Consulate

Las Palmas (Gran Canaria)

+34 928 262 508

Consulate

Santa Cruz de Tenerife

+34 922 286 863

VERIFY all consulate numbers before go-live. Consular presence may change. Check gov.uk for current list.

What you need to know

What the British Embassy in Spain can do

Register the death of a British national under the Consular Deaths Act
Provide a list of local funeral directors who handle international repatriation
Help trace and notify next of kin
Issue emergency travel documents if a family member needs to travel
Liaise with local police, hospitals, or authorities if language is a barrier
Advise on the local death certificate process in Spain

Important limits

What the Embassy cannot do

Fund or pay for repatriation (that is the family's or insurer's responsibility)
Arrange or coordinate the repatriation itself
Release the body from a hospital or morgue
Override local death certificate processing timelines
Provide legal advice on liability or criminal matters

Death registration in Spain

The Embassy can register the death separately under UK law. This is optional and does not replace the local certificate, but some families find the UK death certificate useful for administrative purposes.