Funeral repatriation route guide
Repatriation from Cabo Verde to Portugal
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Repatriation from Cabo Verde to Portugal: what to expect
Cabo Verdean nationals form one of Portugal's most established immigrant communities, with deep roots going back to the 1970s. The two countries share language and close cultural ties, with significant Cabo Verdean communities in Lisbon and Setubal. Direct flights connect Praia and Sao Vicente to Lisbon. Documentation is in Portuguese on both sides, and the Portuguese Embassy in Praia handles consular matters.
- Key document: death certificate from the Conservatória do Registo Civil
- Documentation takes 10-21 days. Appoint a specialist on day one.
- Island location means internal transfers between islands may be required before cargo can depart.
- Cabo Verde participates in the Hague Apostille Convention, which helps with document legalisation.
- Portugal Embassy in Praia can advise on documentation. They cannot fund repatriation.
The process
What happens after a death in Cabo Verde
Call 132 (police) or 130 (ambulance). Death must be registered with the Conservatória do Registo Civil. A specialist with experience in Cabo Verde should be appointed on day one.
Step by step
Timeline: Cabo Verde to Portugal
Immediate steps after death
Day of death. Contact the embassy or consulate of the person's own country (citizens of Portugal: +351 21 394 6000).
Family or travel insurer
Death registered. Certificate obtained from the Conservatória do Registo Civil.
Authorities notified if death is sudden or unexplained.
Local funeral director and registry
Portugal Embassy in Praia notified
Simultaneous with Step 1. Embassy provides guidance on local funeral directors.
Family or repatriation specialist
Internal island transfer arranged if required. Embalming and preparation.
After body released by authorities. Island transfer adds 2-5 days.
Repatriation specialist and local funeral director
All export documentation, apostille, and permits obtained.
Allow 10-21 days. Cannot begin until death certificate issued.
Local funeral director and authorities
Air cargo to Portugal
Once all documentation complete.
Repatriation specialist and airline cargo
Portugal funeral director takes custody. The receiving funeral director coordinates with local authorities.
Within 24 hours of arrival.
Receiving funeral director
Common questions
FAQs: repatriation from Cabo Verde to Portugal
Portuguese Embassy in Praia can advise on documentation requirements for repatriation to Portugal. Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MNE) emergency line: +351 21 394 6000 (24 hours). The Portuguese Embassy cannot pay for or arrange repatriation.
In a straightforward case, repatriation from Cabo Verde to Portugal takes 3-5 weeks. The fastest cases, where the death occurs on a main island, complete in 2-3 weeks. Where a post-mortem or inter-island transfer is required, the process can extend to 6-10 weeks.
Because Cabo Verde is an archipelago, the island where the death occurred determines the logistics. Deaths on smaller islands such as Brava or Santo Antão require additional steps before the body can reach an international cargo airport.
The core documents are: death certificate from the Conservatória do Registo Civil with certified English translation, apostille endorsement, embalming certificate, freedom from infection certificate, and the export permit. Your repatriation coordinator handles obtaining all these on your behalf.
A post-mortem is required for sudden, violent, or unexplained deaths. The authorities must release the body before repatriation can proceed. In combination with any inter-island transfer, this can significantly extend the timeline.
The Portuguese agencia funeraria (funeral director) takes custody at Lisbon (LIS), Porto (OPO), or Faro (FAO) cargo terminal. Autoridade de Saude clearance is required. The Conservatoria do Registo Civil registers the death. EU-origin documents may use a multilingual EU certificate. Non-EU documents require certified Portuguese translation. The receiving funeral director coordinates with local health authorities.
Cremation is available on the main islands of Cabo Verde.
In Portugal
When the body arrives in Portugal
The Portuguese agencia funeraria (funeral director) takes custody at Lisbon (LIS), Porto (OPO), or Faro (FAO) cargo terminal. An Autoridade de Saude (health authority) clearance is required before burial or cremation can proceed. The Conservatoria do Registo Civil registers the death. Portugal is an EU and Hague Apostille Convention member. Documents from EU-origin countries may use a multilingual EU death certificate. Documents from non-EU countries require certified Portuguese translation. (Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, MNE, 2025.)
Consular support
Portuguese Embassy in Praia can advise on documentation requirements for repatriation to Portugal. Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MNE) emergency line: +351 21 394 6000 (24 hours). The Portuguese Embassy cannot pay for or arrange repatriation.
Related guides
More repatriation guidance
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If your loved one has died in Cabo Verde, please do not face this alone. Send us the details and we will explain what happens next and prepare a quote for bringing them home to Portugal.
Reviewed by the Repatriate Service editorial team. Information sourced from official government and embassy guidance and professional repatriation experience. Facts last checked September 2026; page updated .
Sources: Official guidance on a death in Cabo Verde (gov.uk) · Cabo Verde repatriation guide · Frequently asked questions