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CIS and Eastern EuropeRepatriation to the Republic of Moldova and repatriation to Germany
There are two routes to the Republic of Moldova: air freight to Chișinău airport, or by funeral vehicle through the EU to the Romanian–Moldovan border. Since July 2026, the exchange of documents has also become simpler – an apostille is now sufficient instead of legalisation.
Rudolf Nordheimer and team – in German, Russian or English.
Moldova at a glance
- Transport route
- Air freight or by road via EU countries and Romania
- Destination airport
- Chișinău International Airport (IATA: RMO, formerly KIV); scheduled connections from Germany depending on the flight schedule
- Certificates
- Apostille – in relations with Germany only since 17.07.2026 (previously legalisation)
- Agreements
- Moldova is party to the Council of Europe Agreement of 1973 on the Transfer of Corpses, Germany is not – so it does not apply bilaterally
- Representation in Germany
- Embassy in Berlin, Consulate General in Frankfurt am Main, honorary consulates in Hamburg and Stuttgart
- German mission
- German Embassy in Chișinău (no consular assistance possible in Transnistria)
Repatriation from Germany to the Republic of Moldova
Unlike Russia, Belarus or Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova still has scheduled flights from Germany; which connection is suitable depends on the current flight schedule. Whether an airline accepts a coffin as freight depends on the aircraft type and freight conditions; we clarify this before booking. Alternatively, we drive the coffin by road through the EU and via Romania. The German Federal Foreign Office points out waiting times at border crossings, possible vehicle checks and a vignette requirement for foreign vehicles.
Important for the paperwork: until 16 July 2026, documents exchanged between Germany and the Republic of Moldova had to be legalised, because Germany had objected to Moldova's accession to the Hague Apostille Convention. Germany has withdrawn this objection. Since 17 July 2026, an apostille is sufficient; earlier legalisations remain valid. The German death certificate receives its apostille from the competent authority of the federal state.
We agree with the Consulate General in Frankfurt am Main or the embassy in Berlin which further certificates the Moldovan authorities require for the import of a coffin. The consulate can also have the death entered in the Moldovan civil status register.
- German death certificate with apostilleSince 17.07.2026 apostille instead of legalisation
- Body passportFrom the competent German authority at the place of death
- Certificate of soldering of the zinc-lined coffinFrom the German funeral director, for air freight and the border
- ID card or passport of the deceasedFor the consulate and the register entry
- Air waybillFor transport by air, from the funeral director
Death in the Republic of Moldova – repatriation to Germany
If a relative dies in the Republic of Moldova, the death is recorded there in the civil status register. Since 1 November 2025, the Moldovan authorities have issued extracts from the civil status registers – including death certificates – exclusively in electronic form. For use in Germany, the certificate needs an apostille, which only the competent Moldovan authorities issue; electronic apostilles can be verified via the e-Apostille portal of the Moldovan Ministry of Justice.
For German nationals, the German Embassy in Chișinău is the point of contact; it can issue the documents for the repatriation. According to the German Federal Foreign Office, the embassy cannot provide consular assistance in Transnistria – if someone dies there, additional effort should be expected. On request, the death can later be registered at the civil registry office in Germany; this is not mandatory.
For repatriation, depending on the situation, we use air freight from Chișinău or the road route via Romania, and take care of every step up to the cemetery in Germany.
- Moldovan death certificate (electronic register extract) with apostilleApostille by the competent Moldovan authorities
- Documents from the German Embassy in ChișinăuFor the repatriation to Germany
- Proof of soldering or of cremationFrom the local funeral director or crematorium
- Certified translationFor the optional subsequent registration at the German civil registry office
Good to know: funeral customs and special features in the Republic of Moldova
The Republic of Moldova is predominantly Orthodox. In Orthodox tradition, memorial services (Panichida) are held on the 9th and 40th day, and later on the anniversary. A special feature is “Paștele Blajinilor” (Easter of the Dead) after Orthodox Easter: in the Republic of Moldova it is a national public holiday on which families visit the graves.
For documents dating from before November 2025: multilingual (“international”) civil status documents under CIEC Convention No. 16 are usually recognised in Germany without legalisation. This can save time with older documents – for example when settling an estate.
If relatives travel to the Republic of Moldova for the funeral: German nationals can enter visa-free for up to 90 days, including with an identity card; the passport or identity card must be valid for at least three months beyond departure. Due to poor road conditions, the German Federal Foreign Office advises against driving on country roads at night – we take this into account when planning the journey too.
Urn transfer to the Republic of Moldova
An urn can be transferred to the Republic of Moldova by air or by road. Whether it may travel as hand luggage is decided by the respective airline – we clarify this before booking. We clarify in advance with the Consulate General in Frankfurt am Main which documents the Moldovan side requires on import. For an urn from the Republic of Moldova to Germany, the apostilled death certificate is the most important basis.
More about urn transferFixed price for repatriation to the Republic of Moldova
Tell us where the deceased is now. We check what Moldova requires and send you a written fixed price – free of charge and without obligation.
- Free and without obligation
- Written fixed price, no extra charges later
- Your data stays with us
- Request
- –
- Urgency
- Immediately
- Contact
- Phone call
Your enquiry goes directly to Rudolf Nordheimer. You will receive a written fixed price.
Frequently asked questions about Moldova
Your question isn’t here? Call us – we will answer right away.
All questionsAre there flights for a coffin from Germany to Chișinău?
Yes, depending on the flight schedule there are scheduled flights from Germany to Chișinău (RMO airport). Whether a coffin can be carried as freight depends on the airline and the aircraft type. Alternatively, we carry out the repatriation by road via Romania.
Do I still need legalisation for Moldovan documents?
No, not any more. Since 17 July 2026, the Hague Apostille Convention has also applied between Germany and the Republic of Moldova. Legalisations issued up to that date remain valid.
Why is the Moldovan death certificate now only electronic?
Since 1 November 2025, the Moldovan authorities have issued civil status extracts, including death certificates, only in electronic form. For Germany, the certificate needs an apostille; electronic apostilles can be verified via the portal of the Moldovan Ministry of Justice.
Which Moldovan consulate is responsible in Germany?
The Republic of Moldova has an embassy in Berlin and a consulate general in Frankfurt am Main, plus honorary consulates in Hamburg and Stuttgart. We coordinate the documents for the repatriation with the competent office.
What applies in the event of a death in Transnistria?
The German Federal Foreign Office advises against travel to Transnistria. The German Embassy in Chișinău cannot provide consular assistance there. This makes repatriation more complex; we discuss with you which steps are possible.
Sources: German Embassy Chișinău: Apostille, certification, authentication (apostille from 17.07.2026, electronic documents) · German Federal Foreign Office: Republic of Moldova – travel and safety advice (as of 08.10.2026) · German Federal Foreign Office: Missions of the Republic of Moldova in Germany · HCCH: Status table Apostille Convention (Moldova, withdrawal of the German objection) · Verdragenbank (Netherlands): Overeenkomst inzake het vervoer van lijken (Council of Europe 1973) – contracting parties · Wikipedia: Chișinău International Airport (RMO, connections) · Wikipedia: Public holidays in Moldova (Paștele Blajinilor)
Information provided without guarantee, as of 10/2026. Requirements of authorities and airlines change; we check them for each case.
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Day and night, including weekends. One call is all it takes to get the repatriation under way.