Repatriation from Chile: step by step
A clear guide to each stage of the process, from the first phone call through to your loved one's arrival home.
Bringing someone home to a particular country? Find the guide for your route or send us the details. We arrange repatriation to any country.
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The repatriation process from Chile
Each step must be completed in sequence. Your repatriation coordinator manages the process, but knowing what to expect reduces uncertainty.
Timeline
How long does the process take?
Best case
10 days
Natural death, no post-mortem, documentation issued quickly.
Typical case
14-25 days
Most repatriations from Chile fall within this range.
Complex case
30-45 days
Post-mortem, inquest, criminal investigation, or remote location.
What can extend the timeline
- Servicio Medico Legal (SML) must conduct post-mortem for all unnatural or unexplained deaths; SML is the national forensic service under the Ministry of Justice
- No Strasbourg Convention, export permit process is more administrative than in European repatriations
- Ministerio de Salud / Seremi de Salud (regional health authority) issues the export permit after SML and police processes are complete
- No nonstop flights to the UK; all cargo routes involve connections via Madrid (LATAM/Iberia) or Bogota (Avianca/LATAM) adding transit time
- Spanish documentation requires certified English translation for UK entry formalities
- Remote deaths in Patagonia (Torres del Paine, Carretera Austral) require transfer to Santiago before documentation can proceed
City guides
Repatriation from specific cities in Chile
Route guides
Repatriation routes from Chile
Each route guide covers the documentation, timeline and process for one corridor from Chile, written for the family at the receiving end.
Start the process today
Our team handles every step of repatriation from Chile. Send an enquiry and we will explain what happens next and prepare a quote for bringing your loved one home, to the UK, Ireland or any other country.
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 · Embassy contacts: Chile · Frequently asked questions