Repatriation from Split, Croatia

Split is Croatia’s second city and the main hub for the Dalmatian coast, the island ferry network, and the broader central Dalmatia region. It is also — unlike Dubrovnik — the location of KBC Split (Klinički Bolnički Centar Split), the principal forensic pathology centre for southern Croatia. This means that Split has a structural advantage over Dubrovnik for repatriation cases: the forensic infrastructure is here, not four hours away.

What the British Embassy does — and does not do

The British Embassy Zagreb (Ivana Lučića 4, 10000 Zagreb) covers all of Croatia. For Split-area deaths, the British Honorary Consul in Split is the first consular contact — their contact details are maintained on the FCDO website.

The Embassy/Consul can: Register the death in UK consular records. Advise on Croatian documentation requirements and what UK authorities will need.

The Embassy/Consul cannot: Repatriate the body. Pay any costs. Instruct Croatian legal processes.

FCDO 24-hour emergency line: +44 (0)20 7008 5000.

What Croatian law requires in Split

Under the Zakon o kaznenom postupku (Croatian Criminal Procedure Code), sudden, violent, or unexplained deaths are referred to the state attorney (Državno odvjetništvo) via the police. The Split Police (Policijska uprava Splitsko-dalmatinska) attends.

Forensic post-mortems are conducted at KBC Split’s forensic medicine department — the key regional facility for all of Dalmatia including Dubrovnik, the islands, and Split itself. Deaths from the outer Dalmatian islands (Hvar, Brač, Korčula, Vis) require ferry or air transfer to Split mainland before forensic examination.

The documentation chain

1. Smrtovnica and Potvrda o smrti. From the treating physician or forensic physician.

2. Smrtni list (death register entry). Registered at the Split State Civil Registry (Matični ured Split). Processing: 3 to 7 working days.

3. Smrtovnica za inozemstvo. Certified copy for international use.

4. Dozvola za prijevoz posmrtnih ostataka. Issued by the Split-Dalmatia County Health Authority (Zavod za javno zdravstvo Splitsko-dalmatinske županije).

5. Embalming certificate.

6. Freedom from infection certificate.

7. IATA cargo documentation.

Source: Zakon o kaznenom postupku (Croatia), Narodne novine; Zavod za javno zdravstvo Splitsko-dalmatinska županija, 2024.

Airport and cargo routing

Split Airport (SPU, on the Kaštela bay north of the city) has direct UK services via British Airways, easyJet, and Jet2. The SPU cargo terminal handles human remains — more reliably than Dubrovnik Airport (DBV). British Airways SPU-LHR is the standard cargo route.

For deaths on the Dalmatian islands: ferry transfer to Split mainland first, then SPU for cargo. Hvar is 1 to 2 hours by ferry; Korčula 2 to 3 hours; Vis approximately 2 hours.

Timeline from Split

• Natural death with certifiable cause: 10 to 14 days
• Forensic case at KBC Split: 14 to 21 days
• Extended investigation: 4 to 8 weeks

Key local considerations

Split and the Dalmatian islands attract large numbers of British tourists each summer, particularly younger adults on sailing holidays and island-hopping trips. Boat accidents, cliff-jumping, and alcohol-related incidents on party island Hvar are the primary causes of death among younger British visitors. Older tourists on cruises stopping at Split port are a secondary category.

For information on the broader repatriation process from Croatia, see our Croatia repatriation guide.

For guidance on next steps, contact our team via our enquiry form or WhatsApp.

Information based on the Zakon o kaznenom postupku (Croatia) and Zavod za javno zdravstvo Splitsko-dalmatinska županija documentation. Last reviewed May 2026.