Funeral repatriation route guide
Repatriation from Turkey to Portugal
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Quick answer
Repatriation from Turkey to Portugal: what to expect
Turkish nationals form a small but established community in Portugal, working in business and the tourism sector, particularly in Lisbon and the Algarve. Turkish Airlines operates regular services between Istanbul and Lisbon. Turkish documentation requires certified Portuguese translation. The Portuguese Embassy in Ankara handles consular matters.
- Key documents: Turkish death certificate (olum belgesi) and certified English translation
- Documentation takes 5-10 days. Embalming must be specifically arranged for UK repatriation.
- British Embassy in Ankara (and consulate Istanbul) registers the death and advises.
- Post-mortem ordered by Turkish public prosecutor (cumhuriyet savcisi) for sudden or unexplained deaths.
- Portugal Embassy in Ankara can advise on documentation. They cannot fund repatriation.
Step by step
Timeline: Turkey 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 at nufus mudurlugu. Olum belgesi issued.
Certificate in Turkish only. Certified English translation required.
Local funeral director and civil registry
Portugal Embassy in Ankara notified
Simultaneous with Step 1. Embassy provides a list of local funeral directors.
Family or repatriation specialist
Embalming arranged (specifically requested for UK repatriation)
Not standard for Turkish nationals. Must be specifically arranged.
Licensed local funeral director
All export permits obtained
Allow 5-10 days. Cannot begin until public prosecutor authorises release.
Local funeral director and authorities
Air cargo from Istanbul (IST/SAW), Ankara (ESB), or Antalya (AYT)
Once all documentation complete. Turkish Airlines Cargo serves all major UK airports direct.
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
The process
What happens after a death in Turkey
Call 112 for emergency services. Unexpected deaths are referred to the public prosecutor (cumhuriyet savcisi). Death registered at the nufus mudurlugu (civil registry office). The olum belgesi is issued in Turkish only. Certified English translation is required. No cremation facilities exist in Turkey.
Common questions
FAQs: repatriation from Turkey to Portugal
In a straightforward case with no prosecutor involvement, repatriation from Turkey to Portugal takes 7-10 days. Most cases take 10-21 days. Complex cases involving investigation can take 4-8 weeks.
There are effectively no cremation facilities in Turkey. If your family wishes to have the body cremated, this cannot be done in Turkey. Full body repatriation to the UK is the only option.
The core documents are: Olum belgesi (Turkish death certificate), certified English translation, Embalming certificate, Freedom from infection certificate, and Passport of the deceased.
The Portugal Embassy in Ankara can assist with document authentication and advise on repatriation requirements. They cannot pay for or arrange repatriation. Contact the Portugal Embassy in Ankara as soon as possible after the death.
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.
Deaths in resort areas are handled locally, but embalming to international standards may need to be arranged in Antalya or via Istanbul. Your repatriation specialist will coordinate the right local provider. The overall process and timeline are the same.
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 Ankara 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 Turkey, 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 · Turkey repatriation guide · Frequently asked questions