Repatriation from Switzerland to Moldova

Procedure

Both Switzerland 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 Switzerland. Under the agreement, the country of destination may not ask for other documents beyond the laissez-passer and the usual transport documents.

According to Switzerland's declaration under the agreement, the competent authority is the Federal Office of Public Health in Bern. Cantonal practice may differ, and we confirm it for your case.

Cantons and official languages

Switzerland has 26 cantons and four national languages: German, French, Italian and Romansh. The federal authorities work in German, French and Italian, and some cantons, for example Bern, Fribourg, Valais and Graubünden, are officially multilingual. Swiss documents may therefore be written in German, French or Italian, depending on the canton where the death occurred.

The Strasbourg Agreement requires the laissez-passer to be in the official language of the issuing state and in one of the official languages of the Council of Europe, English or French. Switzerland's declaration names the Federal Office of Public Health in Bern, but before filing we check who issues the document in your canton and in which language.

Switzerland is a party to the Apostille Convention (in force from 11.03.1973), and the Republic of Moldova since 16.03.2007. If a document needs an apostille, we obtain it and prepare the translation into the required language.

Switzerland's declaration dates from 1980, and today's practice may differ. We therefore do not rely on the declaration alone and confirm the procedure for your city. We set the timing once we have received the documents.