Practical guidance
What to do if someone dies in São Tomé and Príncipe
This guide explains what happens after a death in São Tomé and Príncipe, 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 São Tomé and Príncipe
A death in São Tomé and Príncipe requires Portuguese civil law documentation, an export permit from the Ministério do Interior, and careful planning around the island logistics that affect every repatriation from this small two-island nation. There is no resident UK diplomat. The British High Commission in Yaoundé, Cameroon holds non-resident consular responsibility.
Your First Calls
1. Contact the FCDO Call the FCDO’s 24-hour emergency line: 020 7008 5000. They will confirm consular coverage and advise on next steps.
2. Contact the British High Commission, Yaoundé Non-resident consular services for São Tomé and Príncipe are provided by the British High Commission in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Tel: +237 222 220 796.
3. Engage a specialist repatriation firm A specialist firm handles local mortuary arrangements, Portuguese-language documentation, island transfer logistics (if needed), export permit, and international cargo.
4. Notify your travel insurer Most policies require prompt notification. Provide all available information about where and how death occurred.
Island Transfer: Deaths on Príncipe
If death occurred on Príncipe island, the remains must be transferred to São Tomé island by internal flight or charter before international repatriation can begin. STP Airways operates the internal route, but schedules are limited. A specialist firm will coordinate this transfer and manage cold storage on both islands.
All international repatriation flights depart from São Tomé International Airport (TMS) on the main island.
Document Checklist
| Document | Issued By | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Death certificate (certidão de óbito) | Conservatória do Registo Civil | Portuguese: 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 | Ministério do Interior | Issued after health cert and death cert |
| 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 |
Cold Storage and Preservation
Mortuary and cold storage capacity in São Tomé and Príncipe is limited. A specialist repatriation firm must confirm storage arrangements are in place before beginning the documentation process. Delays caused by inadequate preservation can complicate both the export process and UK arrival requirements.
Routing to the UK
Standard options from São Tomé International Airport:
- TAP Air Portugal, São Tomé to Lisbon direct, with UK connections from Lisbon
- TAAG Angola Airlines: via Luanda, with European connections
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 the body is released.
Further Reading
- Repatriation from São Tomé and Príncipe to the UK: full country process guide
- What happens when someone dies abroad: overview of the full process
- Bringing ashes home from São Tomé and Príncipe: 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 São Tomé and Príncipe 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 São Tomé and Príncipe 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 São Tomé and Príncipe 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 | São Tomé and Príncipe 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 São Tomé and Príncipe
Detailed information on the full repatriation process, embassy contacts, what affects the cost, cultural considerations, and more.
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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 São Tomé and Príncipe · Frequently asked questions