Funeral repatriation route guide
Repatriation from the United Kingdom to Austria
For families bringing someone home to Austria. Send the details any time and we will take it from there.
Key facts
Repatriation from the United Kingdom to Austria: what to expect
Austria is a popular destination for British tourists, particularly for skiing in the Alps and cultural visits to Vienna and Salzburg. A number of British nationals also live and work in Austria, and Vienna hosts international organisations with British staff. The British Embassy in Vienna is fully operational. When someone from the United Kingdom dies and their family wishes to repatriate remains to Austria, the death must be registered at the local register office in England and Wales within 5 days, or with the National Records of Scotland or GRONI in Northern Ireland. The UK death certificate is apostilled; both countries are Hague Apostille Convention members. The Austrian Embassy in London can advise on documentation for the Standesamt. A certified German translation is required. (FCDO guidance: When someone dies in Austria; Standesamt, Bundesministerium fur Inneres, Austria, 2025.)
- Key document: death certificate (in English)
- Documentation takes 3-7 days (coroner cases longer). Appoint a specialist on day one.
- Contact the Austria High Commission or Embassy in London for documentation requirements. They cannot fund repatriation.
- Death must be registered with the local register office (or National Records of Scotland / GRONI) promptly.
- Austria Embassy in London can advise on documentation. They cannot fund repatriation.
The process
What happens after a death in the United Kingdom
Call 999 for emergency services. Death is certified by a physician or, where necessary, the coroner. The death must be registered at the local register office in England and Wales within 5 days, or with the National Records of Scotland or GRONI in Northern Ireland. The coroner takes jurisdiction for sudden, violent, or unexplained deaths and must issue a removal order before the body can leave England and Wales. The United Kingdom is a Hague Apostille Convention member. Coroner cases add time: the coroner must be satisfied the body may leave before issuing the order for removal out of England and Wales.
Step by step
Timeline: the United Kingdom to Austria
Immediate steps after death
Day of death. Call 999 for emergency services. Contact the Austria High Commission or Embassy in London.
Family or travel insurer
Death registered. Death certificate obtained.
Death must be registered with the local register office (or National Records of Scotland / GRONI). Sudden, violent, or unexplained deaths (coroner takes jurisdiction) may delay this step.
Local funeral director and registry
Austria High Commission or Embassy in London 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 3-7 days (coroner cases longer). Cannot begin until death certificate issued.
Local funeral director and authorities
Air cargo to Austria
Once all documentation complete.
Repatriation specialist and airline cargo
Austria funeral director takes custody. Receiving funeral director coordinates with local authorities.
Within 24 hours of arrival.
Receiving funeral director
In Austria
When the body arrives in Austria
The Austrian funeral director takes custody at Vienna International Airport (VIE) cargo terminal. Death registration in Austria is handled by the Standesamt (civil registry office) in the municipality where the death is registered. Foreign death certificates must be apostilled and, where not in German, accompanied by a certified German translation (beglaubigte Ubersetzung) for submission to the Standesamt. The Gerichtsmedizin (Institute of Forensic Medicine) handles medico-legal cases. Austria joined the Hague Apostille Convention in 1968; apostille certificates from member states are accepted. An embalming certificate and hermetically sealed coffin are required for international air transport. (Standesamt, Bundesministerium fur Inneres, Austria, 2025; FCDO guidance: When someone dies in Austria.)
Consular support
The Austrian Embassy or Consulate in London can advise on documentation requirements for repatriation to Austria. Austria joined the Hague Apostille Convention in 1968. The Embassy cannot pay for or arrange repatriation. Contact the Standesamt in the receiving municipality for civil registration queries.
Related guides
More repatriation guidance
Common questions
FAQs: repatriation from the United Kingdom to Austria
In a straightforward case, repatriation from the United Kingdom to Austria takes 2-4 weeks. The fastest cases complete in 10-14 days. Complex cases can take 4-8 weeks or longer.
Death must be registered with the local register office (or National Records of Scotland / GRONI) promptly. Sudden, violent, or unexplained deaths (coroner takes jurisdiction) may add time before the body can be released.
The core documents are: death certificate with certified translation where required, embalming certificate, export permit, freedom from infection certificate, and passport of the deceased. Your repatriation coordinator handles obtaining these on your behalf.
The Austria Embassy in London can assist with document authentication and advise on repatriation requirements. They cannot pay for or arrange repatriation. Contact the Austria Embassy in London as soon as possible after the death.
Sudden, violent, or unexplained deaths (coroner takes jurisdiction) may trigger a post-mortem examination. This adds time: the body cannot be released until the authorities authorise it.
The Austrian funeral director takes custody at Vienna International Airport (VIE) cargo terminal. The Standesamt (civil registry office) in the receiving municipality registers the death. Foreign death certificates must be apostilled and accompanied by a certified German translation where not already in German. The Gerichtsmedizin handles medico-legal cases. Austria joined the Hague Apostille Convention in 1968. An embalming certificate and hermetically sealed coffin are required. The receiving funeral director coordinates with the local Standesamt.
Cremation in the United Kingdom is widely available. A second medical certificate is required for cremation before the body can be removed. If the coroner is involved, a coroner's certificate replaces the second medical certificate. You will need the local death certificate, cremation certificate, and relevant export documentation. Your repatriation specialist can advise on the current position.
We are here to help. Send us the details, any time
If your loved one has died in the United Kingdom, 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 Austria.
Reviewed by the Repatriate Service editorial team. Information sourced from official government and embassy guidance, including the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), and professional repatriation experience. Facts last checked September 2026; page updated .
Sources: FCDO gov.uk · Frequently asked questions