Starosta's Permit to Bring a Body to Poland
The first Polish document needed to bring the deceased home from abroad. We explain who issues it, who applies for it and how long it takes.
Who issues the permit
The permit is issued by the starosta (district head; or the mayor of a city with district rights) responsible for the place where the body is to be buried, after consulting the district sanitary inspector (Article 14(4)(1) of the Act on Cemeteries and Burial of the Dead). The same applies to ashes (Article 20a).
Who applies and what the application contains
The application is submitted by the person entitled to arrange the burial (the deceased's closest family or a person who undertakes to do so), also through a representative, for example a funeral home.
According to the Regulation of the Minister of Health of 27.12.2007, the application contains the deceased's details (given names, surname, maiden name, date and place of birth, last place of residence), the date and place of death, the place from which the body will be transported, the place of burial, the means of transport and the applicant's details. If the death certificate does not state the cause of death, a document excluding an infectious disease is attached. The starosta's office may also ask for the death certificate with a sworn translation.
Deadline and fees
The permit is issued without delay, no later than 3 days after the application is submitted (Article 14(5)). There is no stamp duty for the permit itself (powroty.gov.pl, as of 8.06.2026); a fee may apply to the power of attorney.
For some infectious diseases the permit is not issued before two years have passed since the death.
Frequently asked questions
Is the starosta's permit needed for an urn?
Yes. The rules on transporting bodies apply accordingly to ashes (Article 20a of the Act on Cemeteries).
Can a funeral home submit the application?
Yes, on the basis of a power of attorney from the person entitled to arrange the burial.