Funeral repatriation route guide
Repatriation from Cabo Verde to Portugal
For British families. 24/7 support, every step handled.
24/7 emergency helpline
WhatsApp: +44 7703 577246The 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. Cabo Verde is an archipelago of ten islands, and if the death occurs on a smaller island, the body may need to be transferred to a main island before cargo flights to the UK are possible. This inter-island step adds time and logistical planning. A specialist with experience in Cabo Verde should be appointed on day one.
Key facts
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.
- There is no British Embassy in Cabo Verde. The British Embassy in Dakar, Senegal covers consular matters.
- 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.
Step by step
Timeline: Cabo Verde to Portugal
Immediate steps after death
Day of death. Call +44 (0)20 7008 5000 (FCDO) or +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. receiving funeral director coordinates with local authorities.
Within 24 hours of arrival.
Receiving funeral director
Common questions
FAQs: repatriation from Cabo Verde to Portugal
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.
There is no British Embassy in Cabo Verde. Consular support comes from the British Embassy in Dakar, Senegal. Call the FCDO 24-hour emergency line on +44 (0)20 7008 5000 immediately. 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.
The British Embassy in Dakar, Senegal, covers Cabo Verde and can register the death with UK authorities and provide guidance on local funeral directors. They cannot pay for or arrange repatriation. The FCDO 24-hour emergency line is +44 (0)20 7008 5000.
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. Transporting ashes to the UK requires the death certificate with certified translation and the cremation certificate. This is generally simpler than full body repatriation, though inter-island logistics may still apply if cremation facilities are not on the island where the death occurred.
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.
We are here to help, any time of day or night
If your loved one has passed away in Cabo Verde, please do not face this alone. Our team will guide you through every step of bringing them home.
Reviewed by the Repatriate Service editorial team. Information sourced from UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) guidance, official embassy contacts, and professional repatriation experience. Updated June 2026.
Sources: FCDO gov.uk · Cabo Verde repatriation guide · Frequently asked questions