Practical guidance
What to do if someone dies in Equatorial Guinea
This guide explains what happens after a death in Equatorial Guinea, who to contact, and how to arrange for your loved one to be brought home, to the UK, Ireland or any other country. Facts for British nationals come from FCDO and government sources. Every situation is different, and if you would like us to take over the arrangements, send us the details.
What to Do When Someone Dies in Equatorial Guinea
A death in Equatorial Guinea requires Spanish civil law documentation through the Registro Civil, export authorisation from the Ministerio del Interior, and careful logistics planning for deaths on the mainland (Río Muni), which require an internal transfer to Malabo on Bioko Island before international repatriation can proceed.
Your First Calls
1. Contact the FCDO Call the FCDO’s 24-hour emergency line: 020 7008 5000. They will advise on consular coverage.
2. Contact the British High Commission, Yaoundé The British High Commission in Yaoundé, Cameroon provides non-resident consular services for Equatorial Guinea. Tel: +237 222 220 796.
3. Engage a specialist repatriation firm Given the authoritarian governance environment and split geography, a specialist firm is essential. They handle documentation, internal transfer logistics where needed, export permits, and cargo arrangements.
4. Notify your travel insurer Prompt notification is required under most policies. Provide all available information about where and how death occurred.
Mainland Deaths: Internal Transfer to Malabo
If death occurred in Río Muni (the mainland enclave), the remains must be transferred to Malabo on Bioko Island before international repatriation can begin. Transfer options include internal flights or charter; the specialist firm will coordinate this. All international repatriation flights depart from Malabo Airport (SSG).
Document Checklist
| Document | Issued By | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Certificado de defunción (death certificate) | Registro Civil | Spanish: requires certified translation |
| Embalming certificate | Licensed local mortuary | Required for international transport |
| Freedom from infection certificate | Ministry of Health | Required before export permit |
| Export permit | Ministerio del Interior | Issued after preceding documents |
| Consular death registration | British High Commission, Yaoundé | Required for UK death registration |
| UK Coroner’s permission | HM Coroner, UK | If death is referred to Coroner |
Political and Bureaucratic Environment
Equatorial Guinea has been governed by President Teodoro Obiang Nguema since 1979. Government ministries can be unpredictable in their processing of foreign national cases. A specialist firm with current in-country contacts is the most effective means of managing this risk.
Routing to the UK
From Malabo Airport (SSG):
- Air France: direct to Paris CDG, the primary repatriation route
- Ethiopian Airlines: via Addis Ababa to London Heathrow
After Repatriation: UK Death Registration
The consular death registration from Yaoundé, together with the certified translated death certificate, supports UK death registration. If the case is referred to HM Coroner, a post-mortem or inquest may be required before release.
Further Reading
- Repatriation from Equatorial Guinea to the UK: full country process guide
- What happens when someone dies abroad: overview of the full process
- Bringing ashes home from Equatorial Guinea: if cremation abroad is being considered
Sources: FCDO Consular Services guidance.
First things first
What to do in the first 24 hours
The immediate period after a death abroad is disorienting. Here are the steps in the order they normally need to happen.
Contact local emergency services
Contact the embassy or consulate
Tell the embassy or consulate of your loved one's own country as soon as possible. It can register the death, give you a list of local funeral directors and explain what the local authorities will need.
British nationals, FCDO 24hr: +44 (0)20 7008 5000
Appoint a local funeral director
A local funeral director in Equatorial Guinea will take care of the body, arrange embalming, obtain the necessary documents, and coordinate with airlines. The embassy can recommend accredited directors. You can also contact a specialist UK repatriation company, who will coordinate with a local partner on your behalf.
Contact your travel insurer
If your loved one had travel insurance with repatriation cover, contact the insurer immediately. They will often have an emergency assistance line and may appoint their own funeral director. Many policies cover the full cost of repatriation, subject to the limit set out in the policy schedule.
Gather the required documents
Repatriation from Equatorial Guinea requires specific paperwork before a body can be transported. Your local funeral director will handle most of this.
What to expect
How long does it take?
Cost guide
What affects the cost?
Nobody publishes a reliable figure for Equatorial Guinea alone. Our cost page sets out the ranges repatriation firms publish, each named and dated. What you pay turns on the specifics of the case.
| Where the death happened | Distance to the departure airport, and any island or overland transfer, changes the freight arrangement |
| Whether a post-mortem is ordered | An investigation holds the release and adds mortuary time |
| Documentation required | Equatorial Guinea paperwork, translation, and any legalisation step |
| Coffin and preparation | Airline and destination rules dictate what is needed |
| Flight availability | Direct services cost less to arrange than multi-leg cargo routing |
| Insurance | Whether a policy covers repatriation, and up to what limit |
Send us the details and we will give you a figure for your case, with no obligation.
Full repatriation guide for Equatorial Guinea
Detailed information on the full repatriation process, embassy contacts, what affects the cost, cultural considerations, and more.
View full guideSend us the details
If you need someone to take over the arrangements, tell us what has happened. We arrange repatriation from Equatorial Guinea to the UK, Ireland or any other country.
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Reviewed by the Repatriate Service editorial team. Information sourced from UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) guidance, official embassy contacts, and professional repatriation experience. Facts last checked September 2026; page updated .
Sources: FCDO gov.uk · Repatriation from Equatorial Guinea · Frequently asked questions