Funeral repatriation route guide
Repatriation from Norway to Malta
For families bringing someone home to Malta. Send the details any time and we will take it from there.
Key facts
Repatriation from Norway to Malta: what to expect
Repatriation from Norway to Malta follows Norway's civil registration and export procedures. Most cases take 2-3 weeks.
- Key document: dodsattest (death certificate from Folkeregisteret via Skatteetaten)
- Documentation takes 5-10 days. Appoint a specialist on day one.
- Norway is a Hague Apostille member (1980). This simplifies document authentication.
- All Norwegian-language documentation requires certified translation where needed.
The process
What happens after a death in Norway
Call 112 (police) or 113 (ambulance) for emergency services. Death is registered with Folkeregisteret (Norwegian Population Register) via Skatteetaten. The official death certificate is the dodsattest. The Norwegian Police Service investigates violent, suspicious, or unexplained deaths. Norway is a Hague Apostille Convention member since 1980.
Step by step
Timeline: Norway to Malta
Immediate steps after death. Report to local emergency services and contact a specialist at once.
Day of death. Contact the embassy or consulate of the person's own country.
Family or travel insurer
Death registered. Dodsattest (death certificate from folkeregisteret via skatteetaten) obtained from Folkeregisteret (Norwegian Population Register), administered by Skatteetaten (Tax Administration).
Registration must occur promptly. The Norwegian Police Service investigates violent or suspicious deaths. Body release requires police clearance before repatriation can proceed.
Local funeral director and civil registry
Embassy or consulate notified. Notify the Maltese High Commission or Embassy in Norway. Hague Apostille applies (Malta joined 1968). Malta is an EU member state.
Simultaneous with Step 1. Embassy provides list of local funeral directors.
Family or repatriation specialist
Embalming and preparation for international air transport.
After body released by authorities.
Licensed local funeral director
All export permits and authenticated documents obtained. The dodsattest is issued in Norwegian. Certified translation is required for non-Norwegian-speaking destinations.
Allow 5-10 days. Cannot begin until death certificate issued.
Local funeral director and authorities
Air cargo from Oslo Gardermoen (OSL), Bergen (BGO), or Stavanger (SVG) to Malta International Airport (MLA).
Once all documentation complete.
Repatriation specialist and airline cargo
Maltese funeral director takes custody at cargo terminal at Malta International Airport (MLA). Public Registry Division (Identity Malta) notified. Hague Apostille applies (Malta joined 1968). Death certificate issued in Maltese and English.
Within 24-48 hours of arrival.
Receiving funeral director
In Malta
When the body arrives in Malta
The Maltese funeral director takes custody at the cargo terminal at Malta International Airport (MLA). Death is registered with the Public Registry Division (Identity Malta). Death certificates are issued in Maltese and English. Malta is a Hague Apostille Convention member since 1968 and an EU member state. Most Western documentation is accepted without additional legalisation, and the English-language process makes coordination straightforward.
Consular support
Maltese High Commission or Embassy in Norway: contact the Maltese Embassy for documentation guidance. Hague Apostille applies (Malta joined 1968). Malta is an EU member state and a Commonwealth member.
Related guides
More repatriation guidance
Common questions
FAQs: repatriation from Norway to Malta
Maltese High Commission or Embassy in Norway: contact the Maltese Embassy for documentation guidance. Hague Apostille applies (Malta joined 1968). Malta is an EU member state and a Commonwealth member.
In a straightforward case, repatriation from Norway to Malta takes 2-3 weeks. The fastest cases complete in 7-14 days. Complex cases involving criminal investigation or remote locations can take 3-6 weeks.
The core documents are: dodsattest (death certificate from Folkeregisteret via Skatteetaten), embalming certificate, freedom from infection certificate, passport of the deceased, and all required export permits. The dodsattest is issued in Norwegian. Certified translation is required for non-Norwegian-speaking destinations.
The Maltese funeral director takes custody at the cargo terminal at Malta International Airport (MLA). Death is registered with the Public Registry Division (Identity Malta). Death certificates are issued in Maltese and English. Malta is a Hague Apostille Convention member since 1968 and an EU member state. Most Western documentation is accepted without additional legalisation, and the English-language process makes coordination straightforward. All documentation from Norway must be in order before the body is released for the funeral.
Yes. Cremation in Norway is an option in most cases, though local authorities must release the body before cremation can take place. You will need the death certificate, cremation certificate, and an export permit for the ashes. Ashes are simpler to transport than a body and carry lower cargo costs. Ask our team for specific guidance on your case.
Malta combines three factors that simplify repatriation. It is a Hague Apostille member since 1968, an EU member state, and a Commonwealth member. Death certificates are issued in both Maltese and English, which reduces translation requirements. The Public Registry Division processes repatriation documentation efficiently. Norway is also a Hague member, so document authentication is straightforward on both ends.
We are here to help. Send us the details, any time
If your loved one has died in Norway, 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 Malta.
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 Norway (gov.uk) · Norway repatriation guide · Frequently asked questions