Funeral repatriation route guide
Repatriation from Venezuela 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 Venezuela to Portugal: what to expect
Portugal has received a significant number of Venezuelans since 2015, many claiming Portuguese heritage through the Law of Return. The community in Lisbon and Porto has grown considerably. This corridor handles cases where a Portugal-based Venezuelan has a family member die in Venezuela and needs remains brought to Portugal. Documentation is in Spanish from Venezuela, requiring certified Portuguese translation.
- Key document: SAREN (Servicio Autónomo de Registros y Notarías) death certificate. Spanish is the official language.
- Documentation takes 14-28 days. Appoint a repatriation specialist immediately.
- Venezuela participates in the Hague Apostille Convention, which simplifies document legalisation.
- Limited airline operations due to the economic situation. Routing via Madrid or Bogotá.
- Portugal Embassy in Caracas can advise on documentation. They cannot fund repatriation.
Step by step
Timeline: Venezuela to Portugal
Embassy or consulate notified
Day of death. Call 171.
Family or travel insurer
Death registered with SAREN. Death certificate issued in Spanish.
Registration can take several days. The Ministerio Público may be involved for sudden or unexplained deaths.
Local funeral director and SAREN
Portugal Embassy in Caracas notified
Simultaneous with Step 1. Embassy advises on documentation and approved local funeral directors.
Family or repatriation specialist
Embalming and preparation for transport
After body released by Ministerio Público or hospital.
Licensed local funeral director
Certified English translations, Apostille certification, and export permits obtained
Allow 14-28 days from death certificate issue. Cannot begin until certificate issued.
Repatriation specialist and local authorities
Air cargo booked via Madrid or Bogotá to Portugal
Once all documentation is complete. Cargo availability depends on airline schedules.
Repatriation specialist and airline cargo
Portugal funeral director takes custody at cargo terminal. The receiving funeral director coordinates with local authorities.
Within 24 hours of arrival.
Receiving funeral director
The process
What happens after a death in Venezuela
Call 171 for police and ambulance. Death must be registered with SAREN (Servicio Autónomo de Registros y Notarías). All documentation is in Spanish and requires certified translation for acceptance in Portugal. The Ministerio Público investigates suspicious and unexplained deaths. The uk, 2026). Reduced airline operations at Simón Bolívar International Airport affect cargo availability and schedules.
Common questions
FAQs: repatriation from Venezuela to Portugal
Most cases take 3-6 weeks from the date of death. Fast cases, where documentation is issued promptly and no investigation is required, complete in 2-4 weeks. A Ministerio Público investigation, airline availability issues, or administrative delays can extend the process to 8-14 weeks or longer.
The Portugal Embassy in Caracas can assist with document authentication and advise on repatriation requirements. They cannot pay for or arrange repatriation. Contact the Portugal Embassy in Caracas as soon as possible after the death.
The core documents are: SAREN death certificate (with certified English translation), Apostille certification, Ministerio Público clearance (for non-natural deaths), Embalming certificate, Freedom from infection certificate, and Export permit. Your repatriation coordinator handles obtaining and certifying these.
Yes. Spanish is the official language of Venezuela and all official documents are issued in Spanish. Certified English translations are required for acceptance in Portugal. Venezuela participates in the Hague Apostille Convention, which simplifies the authentication process.
Your repatriation specialist can advise on the current state of facilities.
The Portuguese agencia funeraria (funeral director) 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. EU-origin documents may use a multilingual EU certificate. Non-EU documents require certified Portuguese translation. The receiving funeral director coordinates with local health authorities.
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 can proceed. The Conservatoria do Registo Civil registers the death. Portugal is an EU and Hague Apostille Convention member. Documents from EU-origin countries may use a multilingual EU death certificate. Documents from non-EU countries require certified Portuguese translation. (Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, MNE, 2025.)
Consular support
Portuguese Embassy in Caracas 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.
Related guides
More repatriation guidance
We are here to help. Send us the details, any time
If your loved one has died in Venezuela, 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 Venezuela (gov.uk) · Venezuela repatriation guide · Frequently asked questions