Funeral repatriation route guide
Repatriation from Sweden to Bulgaria
For families bringing someone home to Bulgaria. Send the details any time and we will take it from there.
Key facts
Repatriation from Sweden to Bulgaria: what to expect
Repatriation from Sweden to Bulgaria follows Sweden's civil registration and export procedures. Most cases take 2-3 weeks.
- Key document: dodsfallsintyg (death certificate from Skatteverket)
- Documentation takes 5-10 days. Appoint a specialist on day one.
- Sweden is a Hague Apostille member (1999). This simplifies document authentication.
- All Swedish-language documentation requires certified translation where needed.
The process
What happens after a death in Sweden
Call 112 for emergency services. Death is registered with Skatteverket (the Swedish Tax Agency population register). The official death certificate is the dodsfallsintyg. The Swedish Police Authority investigates violent, suspicious, or unexplained deaths. Sweden is a Hague Apostille Convention member since 1999.
Step by step
Timeline: Sweden to Bulgaria
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. Dodsfallsintyg (death certificate from skatteverket) obtained from Skatteverket (Swedish Tax Agency), which maintains the population register.
Registration must occur promptly. The Swedish Police Authority 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 Bulgarian Embassy in Sweden. Hague Apostille applies (Bulgaria joined 2001). Bulgaria is an EU member state. Certified translation into Bulgarian is required.
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 dodsfallsintyg is issued in Swedish. Certified translation is required for non-Swedish-speaking destinations.
Allow 5-10 days. Cannot begin until death certificate issued.
Local funeral director and authorities
Air cargo from Stockholm Arlanda (ARN), Gothenburg Landvetter (GOT), or other major Swedish airport to Sofia Airport (SOF), Varna International Airport (VAR), or Burgas Airport (BOJ).
Once all documentation complete.
Repatriation specialist and airline cargo
Bulgarian funeral director takes custody at cargo terminal at Sofia (SOF), Varna (VAR), or Burgas (BOJ). ESGRAON civil registration authority notified via GRAO. Hague Apostille applies (Bulgaria joined 2001). Death certificate issued in Bulgarian (Cyrillic script).
Within 24-48 hours of arrival.
Receiving funeral director
In Bulgaria
When the body arrives in Bulgaria
The Bulgarian funeral director takes custody at the cargo terminal at Sofia (SOF), Varna (VAR), or Burgas (BOJ). Death is registered with ESGRAON (civil registration system), administered by GRAO (Civil Registration and Administrative Services Directorate). Death certificates are issued in Bulgarian, which uses the Cyrillic script. Bulgaria is a Hague Apostille Convention member since 2001 and an EU member state. Certified translation into Bulgarian is required for all foreign-language documentation.
Consular support
Bulgarian Embassy in Sweden: contact the Bulgarian Embassy for documentation guidance. Hague Apostille applies (Bulgaria joined 2001). Bulgaria is an EU member state. Certified translation into Bulgarian is required.
Related guides
More repatriation guidance
Common questions
FAQs: repatriation from Sweden to Bulgaria
Bulgarian Embassy in Sweden: contact the Bulgarian Embassy for documentation guidance. Hague Apostille applies (Bulgaria joined 2001). Bulgaria is an EU member state. Certified translation into Bulgarian is required.
In a straightforward case, repatriation from Sweden to Bulgaria 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: dodsfallsintyg (death certificate from Skatteverket), embalming certificate, freedom from infection certificate, passport of the deceased, and all required export permits. The dodsfallsintyg is issued in Swedish. Certified translation is required for non-Swedish-speaking destinations.
The Bulgarian funeral director takes custody at the cargo terminal at Sofia (SOF), Varna (VAR), or Burgas (BOJ). Death is registered with ESGRAON (civil registration system), administered by GRAO (Civil Registration and Administrative Services Directorate). Death certificates are issued in Bulgarian, which uses the Cyrillic script. Bulgaria is a Hague Apostille Convention member since 2001 and an EU member state. Certified translation into Bulgarian is required for all foreign-language documentation. All documentation from Sweden must be in order before the body is released for the funeral.
Yes. Cremation in Sweden 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.
Yes. Bulgarian death certificates use the Cyrillic script and all official civil registration is conducted in Bulgarian. Documents from Sweden require certified translation into Bulgarian before they are accepted by ESGRAON (the civil registration authority). Bulgaria is a Hague Apostille member since 2001, so Apostille-stamped documents from other Hague members are accepted. Your repatriation specialist will arrange certified translation as part of the documentation process.
We are here to help. Send us the details, any time
If your loved one has died in Sweden, 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 Bulgaria.
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 Sweden (gov.uk) · Sweden repatriation guide · Frequently asked questions