Repatriation from Ostrava, Czech Republic

Ostrava is the third-largest city in the Czech Republic and the capital of the Moravian-Silesian Region (Moravskoslezský kraj), on the border with Poland near the Beskydy mountains. Once the industrial heartland of the former Czechoslovakia — known as the “steel city” — it has since undergone significant post-industrial regeneration. British visitors come primarily for city breaks (direct budget flights from UK airports are available), the Lower Vítkovice mining and industrial heritage complex (now a cultural venue), and as a base for winter sports in the nearby Czech Beskydy and Slovak Tatry mountains.

The city also hosts significant business travel tied to automotive and manufacturing supply chains, and a small but growing expat professional community.

This site has pages for Prague and Brno. Ostrava is the main city in the eastern Czech Republic and handles all official processes for the Moravia-Silesia region.

Consular coverage

The British Embassy Prague (Thunovská 14, Malá Strana, 118 00 Prague) is the resident UK diplomatic mission for the Czech Republic. There is no permanent British consular presence in Ostrava; the Embassy in Prague is the contact for Moravian-Silesian cases.

British Embassy Prague: +420 257 402 111. FCDO 24-hour: +44 (0)20 7008 5000.

What Czech law requires

Trestní řád (Code of Criminal Procedure, Zákon č. 141/1961 Sb., as amended): All sudden, violent, and unexplained deaths are reported to the Policie ČR (Czech Police, Krajské ředitelství policie Moravskoslezského kraje). The Státní zastupitelství (State Prosecutor’s Office) supervises investigation cases and may order a forensic autopsy.

Zákon č. 301/2000 Sb. o matrikách (Act on Civil Registry): Deaths are registered at the local Matriční úřad (Civil Registry Office). The Matriční úřad Ostrava issues the výpis z knihy zemřelých (death certificate).

Forensic post-mortem: The Ústav soudního lékařství (Institute of Forensic Medicine) at Fakultní nemocnice Ostrava (FNO, University Hospital Ostrava, 17. listopadu 1790, Poruba) is the forensic medicine facility for the Moravia-Silesia region.

Krajský úřad Moravskoslezského kraje permit: The Moravian-Silesian Regional Authority issues the international transport permit (povolení k přepravě ostatků do zahraničí) under Vyhláška MZ č. 19/1988 Sb.

Source: Trestní řád Zákon č. 141/1961 Sb. (Czech Republic); Zákon č. 301/2000 Sb. o matrikách; Vyhláška MZ č. 19/1988 Sb.; 2025.

Medical coverage

Fakultní nemocnice Ostrava (FNO, 17. listopadu 1790, Poruba) is the main university hospital and the principal referral centre for the region. Nemocnice ve Vítkovicích is the other major facility. The Beskydy mountains are within the FNO’s catchment area for rescue and medical evacuation.

The documentation chain

1. Výpis z knihy zemřelých from Matriční úřad Ostrava. 2. Policie ČR report (sudden/violent deaths). 3. Státní zastupitelství release. 4. Forensic post-mortem at FNO Ústav soudního lékařství (if ordered). 5. Krajský úřad Moravskoslezského kraje international transport permit. 6. Embalming certificate. 7. IATA air cargo from OSR (Ostrava Leoš Janáček Airport) to LHR. Ryanair serves OSR from London Stansted. For cargo, OSR-PRG by road (360km) or direct cargo services from OSR when available. PRG (Prague Václav Havel Airport) is the primary hub for cargo via British Airways and other carriers.

Timeline from Ostrava

• Expected natural death: 7 to 14 days
• Prokuratura investigation, uncomplicated: 14 to 21 days
• Complex forensic case: 4 to 8 weeks

For repatriation guidance, contact our team via the enquiry form or WhatsApp.

See also the Czech Republic repatriation guide.

Information based on Trestní řád Zákon č. 141/1961 Sb. (Czech Republic); Vyhláška MZ č. 19/1988 Sb. Last reviewed May 2026.