Death occurring in another EU country and repatriation of the remains

When a Spanish citizen dies abroad, and the body is to be repatriated to Spain for burial, the family should contact the relevant Consular Office for information on the procedure and about private companies that could potentially handle the repatriation.

The Consular Office will set in motion the necessary administrative procedures, will contact the local authorities, the insurance company, if there is one, the company handling the repatriation, and will notify Public Health Authorities (External) about the deceased’s repatriation to Spain, through the Subdirectorate-General for Consular Protection and Assistance.

Neither the Consular Office nor the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation covers the costs of transporting bodies, as consular intervention is restricted to the administrative procedures under international and Spanish regulations, and to notifying the Spanish public health authorities about the repatriation.

Information about wills and death insurance certificates abroad can be consulted on the page regarding on inheritance and succession.