Repatriation from Wrocław, Poland

Wrocław (pronounced roughly “vrots-wahf”) is the capital of Lower Silesia and Poland’s fourth-largest city. It sits on the Oder River and is known for its Rynek (market square), Gothic Town Hall, and more than 100 bridges across the city’s islands and canals — a configuration that has earned comparisons to Amsterdam and Prague. British visitors come for city breaks, stag and hen events, and the Old Town’s Christmas market, which runs from November through December and is among the largest in Central Europe.

Direct Ryanair and Wizz Air services from multiple UK airports make Wrocław straightforward to reach for British budget travellers. The city also has a growing British expat and business community tied to the German-border economy and technology sector.

This site has pages for Warsaw and Kraków. Wrocław adds the third major British visitor destination in Poland.

Consular coverage

The British Embassy Warsaw (ul. Kawalerii 12, 00-468 Warszawa) is the resident UK diplomatic mission. The British Consulate General Kraków (ul. Św. Anny 9, Kraków) provides additional consular support.

British Embassy Warsaw: +48 22 311 0000. FCDO 24-hour: +44 (0)20 7008 5000.

What Polish law requires

Kodeks postępowania karnego (Code of Criminal Procedure, Ustawa z 6 czerwca 1997, Dz.U. 1997 nr 89 poz.555): All sudden, violent, and unexplained deaths are reported to the Policja (Polish Police, Komenda Miejska Policji Wrocław). The Prokuratura (Prosecutor’s Office) oversees investigation cases and may order a forensic autopsy.

Ustawa z dnia 31 stycznia 1959 r. o cmentarzach i chowaniu zmarłych (Act on Cemeteries and Burial, consolidated): Governs death registration, mortuary standards, and the issuance of international transport permits. The Urząd Stanu Cywilnego (Civil Registry) registers deaths and issues the akt zgonu (death certificate). For Wrocław, this is the USC Wrocław.

Forensic post-mortem: The Katedra i Zakład Medycyny Sądowej (Department of Forensic Medicine, Wrocław Medical University, ul. Mikulicza-Radeckiego 4, Wrocław) is the regional forensic medicine facility. Autopsies ordered by the Prokuratura for Lower Silesia are conducted here.

Voivodship health authority permit: The Dolnośląski Urząd Wojewódzki (Lower Silesian Voivodeship Office) issues the international transport permit (zezwolenie na przewóz zwłok lub szczątków za granicę) under the relevant ministerial regulation.

Source: Kodeks postępowania karnego Ustawa z 6 czerwca 1997 (Poland); Ustawa z 31 stycznia 1959 r. o cmentarzach i chowaniu zmarłych; Rozporządzenie Ministra Zdrowia w sprawie postępowania ze zwłokami; 2025.

Medical coverage

Szpital Uniwersytecki im. Jana Mikulicza-Radeckiego we Wrocławiu (Wrocław Medical University Hospital, ul. Borowska 213) is the main academic hospital. Centrum Kliniczno-Dydaktyczne UM (Clinical and Didactic Centre) and the Dolnośląskie Centrum Onkologii are among other facilities. Private hospitals include Euromedic and Neomedic.

The documentation chain

1. Akt zgonu from USC Wrocław. 2. Policja investigation report (sudden/violent deaths). 3. Prokuratura release of the body. 4. Forensic post-mortem at Katedra Medycyny Sądowej UM Wrocław (if ordered). 5. Dolnośląski Urząd Wojewódzki international transport permit. 6. Embalming certificate. 7. IATA air cargo from WRO (Wrocław Copernicus Airport) to LHR. Ryanair, Wizz Air, and LOT Polish Airlines serve WRO; cargo routing options include WRO direct or WRO-WAW-LHR via LOT. British Airways operates WAW-LHR if a Warsaw connection is used.

Timeline from Wrocław

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.