Funeral repatriation route guide
Repatriation from Senegal to Portugal
For families bringing someone home to Portugal. Send the details any time and we will take it from there.
Quick answer
Repatriation from Senegal to Portugal: what to expect
Senegalese nationals form part of Portugal's African diaspora, with a community working in services and trade. French documentation from Senegal requires certified Portuguese translation for Portuguese civil registry purposes. The Portuguese Embassy in Dakar handles consular matters. This corridor handles cases where a Portugal-based Senegalese has a family member die in Senegal.
- Key document: Acte de deces (death certificate from Centre d'etat civil, requires certified English translation)
- Documentation takes 7-14 days. Appoint a specialist on day one.
- All French-language documentation requires certified English translation for Portugal acceptance.
- Police clearance is required for all violent or suspicious deaths.
The process
What happens after a death in Senegal
After a death in Senegal, the family should contact the local emergency services on 17 (police) and have the death formally certified. It is then registered with the Centre d'etat civil (Civil Registry), and a local death certificate issued, which usually takes 7-14 days. Where a death is violent, suspicious or unexplained, the Police and Prosecutor takes jurisdiction and may order a post-mortem before the body can be released. Once the paperwork is complete, the body is embalmed, sealed in a zinc-lined coffin, and flown to Portugal as air cargo, where a receiving funeral director takes custody. Most cases take 2-4 weeks from the death to arrival in Portugal.
Step by step
Timeline: Senegal 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. Acte de deces (death certificate from Centre d'etat civil, requires certified English translation) obtained.
Death must be registered with the Centre d'etat civil (Civil Registry). Police and Prosecutor may be involved.
Local funeral director and registry
Portugal Embassy in Dakar notified
Simultaneous with Step 1. Embassy provides a list of local funeral directors.
Family or repatriation specialist
Embalming and preparation.
After body released by authorities.
Licensed local funeral director
All export documentation and permits obtained.
Allow 7-14 days. Cannot begin until death certificate issued.
Local funeral director and authorities
Air cargo to Portugal
Once all documentation complete. Portugal cargo terminal
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
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. The Conservatoria do Registo Civil registers the death. Portugal is an EU and Hague Apostille Convention member. Documents from non-EU countries require certified Portuguese translation. (Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, MNE, 2025.)
Consular support
Portuguese Embassy in Dakar 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.
Common questions
FAQs: repatriation from Senegal to Portugal
In a straightforward case, repatriation from Senegal to Portugal takes 2-4 weeks. The fastest cases complete in 10-14 days. Complex cases can take 4-8 weeks or longer.
All French-language documentation requires certified translation for acceptance in Portugal.
The core documents are: Acte de deces (certified English translation required), Police clearance (for unnatural deaths), Embalming certificate, Export permit, Freedom from infection certificate. Your repatriation coordinator handles obtaining these on your behalf.
The Portugal Embassy in Dakar can assist with document authentication and advise on repatriation requirements. They cannot pay for or arrange repatriation. Contact the Portugal Embassy in Dakar as soon as possible after the death.
Violent, suspicious, or unexplained deaths require a post-mortem, which adds time. The body cannot be released until the authorities authorise it.
The Portuguese agencia funeraria 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. Non-EU documents require certified Portuguese translation.
Cremation in Senegal is available. Bringing the ashes home to Portugal is an option. You will need the death certificate, cremation certificate, and export documentation.
Related guides
More repatriation guidance
We are here to help. Send us the details, any time
If your loved one has died in Senegal, 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 Senegal (gov.uk) · Senegal repatriation guide · Frequently asked questions