Credential and arrival
The pilgrim passport (credential) and the Compostela
What the credential is and where to get it, the stamps you need, the last 100 km on foot rule and how to collect your Compostela at the Pilgrim’s Office in Santiago.
The pilgrim passport (credential)
The credential, often called the pilgrim passport, is a folded card where you collect stamps (sellos) along the way. It does two things: it proves you are a pilgrim, which you need to sleep in most albergues, and it is the record you show to receive the Compostela.
Where to get it:
- At home, from Camino associations (“Friends of the Camino”) in many countries.
- At the start of the main routes: pilgrim offices, cathedrals, parishes and many albergues (Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, Sarria, Porto, Tui…).
- From the Cathedral of Santiago, which publishes where its official credential can be found.
It costs a few euros. If you are travelling from far away, get it before you leave.
The stamps
- Get at least one stamp a day on your Camino.
- In the last 100 km (200 km by bike), two stamps a day.
- Albergues, churches, bars, town halls, tourist offices and hotels all have stamps. Write the date next to each one.
The Compostela
The Compostela is the certificate the Cathedral of Santiago gives pilgrims who complete the Camino for religious or spiritual reasons. There is also a certificate for those who walk for other reasons. To receive it you need to:
- Walk at least the last 100 km to Santiago (or cycle the last 200 km, or ride the last 100 km on horseback).
- Do it continuously, in a row, with your stamped credential.
You collect it at the Pilgrim’s Office, near the cathedral. It is free; there is usually a small charge for a tube to carry it and for the optional distance certificate. Check the office’s opening hours and the current system (it may involve registering online or getting a number) on its official website before you arrive.
Other certificates
- The distance certificate, with the kilometres and your starting point.
- The Fisterrana and the Muxiana, given locally if you walk on to Finisterre or Muxía.
FAQ
Where can I get a pilgrim passport?
From a Camino association in your country, or at the start of your route: pilgrim offices, cathedrals, parishes and many albergues.
How many stamps do I need for the Compostela?
At least one a day, and two a day in the last 100 km on foot (200 km by bike).
Is the Compostela free?
Yes. You may pay a little for a tube or for the distance certificate.
Can I get the Compostela if I start in Sarria?
Yes. Sarria is just over 100 km from Santiago, which is why it is the most popular start.
Does a digital credential count?
The paper credential is the reference. Check with the Pilgrim’s Office what it accepts when you walk. PeregriNeo’s credential is only a keepsake with your photos.
