Portugal Death Checklist: Printable Step-by-Step Guide for Expat Families

When someone dies in Portugal, the administrative process spans months and touches five different government agencies. Missing a single step — particularly the three-month tax deadline — triggers fines and delays that cascade through the entire estate settlement.

This checklist puts every required action in chronological order with the deadlines that matter. Print it, cross things off as you go, and you will not miss anything critical.

First 24 Hours

• [ ] Call 112 if the death has not yet been reported to emergency services
• [ ] Wait for medical death certification — from the attending physician, hospital, or INEM (emergency medical services)
• [ ] Contact a licensed funeral director (agencia funeraria) — families cannot manage burial/cremation logistics directly
• [ ] Sign the funeral director proxy authorization form with copies of your passport and the deceased's passport
• [ ] Notify your country's consulate in Portugal (US Embassy Lisbon, British Embassy, etc.)
• [ ] Contact the deceased's travel insurance provider (if applicable) before signing any funeral home contracts
• [ ] Secure the deceased's personal belongings, documents, phone, and laptop

Within 48 Hours

• [ ] Death registered at the Conservatoria do Registo Civil (typically handled by the funeral director)
• [ ] Obtain the official death certificate (Assento de Obito)
• [ ] Request the multilingual international version (Certidao de Obito Internacional) — EUR 20, eliminates translation requirements for UK/US/EU authorities
• [ ] Request the online verification check code (EUR 10, valid 6 months) for digital sharing with banks and overseas institutions

Within 72 Hours

• [ ] Burial or cremation must occur within 72 hours of death (48 hours after post-mortem)
• [ ] If cremation: confirm no UK inquest is needed — cremation in Portugal permanently prevents a UK coroner's inquest
• [ ] If repatriation: instruct the funeral director to begin embalming and the Alvara de Trasladacao (transit permit) process

First Week

• [ ] Notify the deceased's employer (if applicable)
• [ ] Notify the deceased's bank(s) in Portugal — accounts will be frozen
• [ ] Secure the property if the deceased lived alone (change locks if needed, arrange mail collection)
• [ ] Begin gathering documents for all named heirs: passports, birth certificates, marriage certificates
• [ ] File consular death report (US citizens: CRODA application; UK citizens: FCDO notification)

First Month

• [ ] Query the Banco de Portugal Central Database of Bank Accounts to identify all Portuguese bank accounts
• [ ] Request the Central Wills Registry certificate (certidao sobre a existencia de testamento) — EUR 25, confirms whether a Portuguese will exists, delivered by post within approximately one month
• [ ] Identify the Cabeca de Casal (head of estate) — by default: surviving spouse, then executor named in will, then closest heir
• [ ] Confirm every named heir has a Portuguese NIF (tax number) — non-EU heirs need a fiscal representative
• [ ] If heirs are abroad: begin drafting a Power of Attorney (procuracao) for a Portugal-based representative

Within Three Months (Strict Deadline)

• [ ] File the Modelo 1 Imposto do Selo — the stamp duty declaration listing all Portuguese-situs assets, submitted to the Tax Authority (Autoridade Tributaria) by the end of the third month following the month of death
• [ ] Attach Anexo I (asset inventory) listing real estate, bank accounts, vehicles, and investments with their tax valuations
• [ ] Confirm family exemptions: surviving spouse, children, grandchildren, and parents are exempt from the 10% stamp duty
• [ ] Non-exempt heirs (siblings, unmarried partners, third parties) pay 10% on their inherited share

Months 1 to 6

• [ ] Execute the Habilitacao de Herdeiros (Deed of Heirship) at the Balcao Herancas or a private notary — approximately EUR 150 to EUR 425 depending on the service bundle
• [ ] If all heirs agree: proceed directly to Partilha (partition deed) to divide assets
• [ ] If heirs disagree: engage mediation services under the 2026 reform guidelines (designed to conclude in 2-4 months)
• [ ] Present the Habilitacao to Portuguese banks to begin the account unfreezing process
• [ ] Apply for survivor's pension and funeral subsidy at Seguranca Social (if the deceased was a contributor)

After Partition

• [ ] Register property transfers at the Conservatoria do Registo Predial (Land Registry) — EUR 250 per property
• [ ] Update vehicle ownership at IMT (if applicable)
• [ ] Close or transfer the deceased's Portuguese bank accounts
• [ ] File the deceased's final Portuguese tax return (if they were a tax resident)
• [ ] Notify overseas pension authorities (UK State Pension, US Social Security, etc.) of the death
• [ ] Cancel the deceased's NIF or update it to reflect deceased status at the Tax Authority

Documents to Gather and Keep

Getting More Help

This checklist covers the essential sequence, but each step has documentation requirements, potential complications, and agency-specific processes that a simple checklist cannot capture.

The Portugal Expat Death Guide expands every item above into a full chapter with step-by-step instructions, template language for official communications, a printable document worksheet, and a directory of Portuguese agencies with contact details.

See more Portugal guides →