Repatriation from Belgium to Moldova

Procedure

Both Belgium and the Republic of Moldova are parties to the Strasbourg Agreement on the Transfer of Corpses (1973). The body therefore travels with a mortuary passport (laissez-passer) issued in Belgium. Under the agreement, the country of destination may not ask for other documents beyond the laissez-passer and the usual transport documents.

According to Belgium's declaration under the agreement, the competent authority is the Federal Public Service Public Health (Incident and Crisis Management directorate) in Brussels. Regional practice may differ, and we confirm it for your case.

Three regions, three official languages

In Belgium, legislation on funerals and burials was transferred to the regions in 2001, with effect from 1 January 2002. Since then the Flemish Region, the Brussels-Capital Region and the Walloon Region have been competent to set their own rules. The same procedure can therefore look different in Antwerp, Brussels or Liège.

Belgium has three official languages: Dutch, French and German. The Strasbourg Agreement requires the laissez-passer to be drawn up in the official language of the issuing state and in one of the official languages of the Council of Europe, English or French. Belgian documents may therefore be in the language of the region where the death occurred.

Belgium is a party to the Apostille Convention (in force from 09.02.1976), and the Republic of Moldova since 16.03.2007. If a document needs an apostille, we obtain it.

Before we begin, we find out from the town hall or the local funeral home who issues the documents in that locality and in which language they are written. We prepare the translations.

Belgium's declaration dates from 2005 and names the Federal Public Service Public Health in Brussels. Today's practice may differ, so we do not rely on the declaration alone and confirm the procedure for the city where the death occurred. We set the timing once we have received the documents.