Getting the Compostela
Updated Nov 4, 2024
Getting your Compostela, or official pilgrim certificate, is one of the fondest memories of walking the Camino. Written in Latin on parchment paper and issued by the Catholic Church at no cost, each certificate is a personalized testament to your effort and a lasting record of your journey to Santiago.
The Pilgrim Credential
Before starting your journey on the Camino de Santiago, you must first obtain a credential, or Pilgrims Passport. If you walk with Hike the Way we provide this in your welcome package. A credential is a booklet with blank spaces where you collect stamps (sellos) along your hike.
The pilgrim office uses these stamps to verify that you walked the required distance to obtain the certificate. You must get at least two stamps per day to show the places you passed through. To be eligible for the Compostela, you need to complete a minimum of 100 km on foot (~65 miles) or 200 km by bike or horseback. You can start at any point along the trail but you must end your walk in Santiago de Compostela.
The stamps collected along the way are not only proof you’ve walked the distance, but they are also a fun reminder of the places you’ve been.
Collecting Stamps
Stamps can be obtained almost anywhere- hotels, cafes, shops, churches, etc. Sometimes you must ask for the stamps “tienes un sello?” or you can just say “sello” which is Spanish is stamp, or sometimes the establishment will have the stamp out somewhere for you to stamp your own book.
Besides the stamp, you also need to write or have the date written in each square next to the stamp (In Spain they write the day first, then month, then year, so June 17th, 2019 is 17/6/19). The credential also serves as a fun keepsake at the end of your trip. Stamps are all different and unique and you’re not limited to only 2 stamps a day, so get as many as you want!
Other Benefits of the Credential
The credential also serves another purpose, to allow entrance into albergues and discount admission into cathedrals and museums.
For example, upon reaching Santiago, pilgrims receive a discount to visit the Portico de la Gloria. The Cathedral of Burgos also provides discounts on the entrance fees for pilgrims. So keep your credential handy as you might need to verify your pilgrim status.
Requesting your Compostela
Once you reach Santiago with your stamped passport, leave room for one last stamp at the official Camino office and you’re ready to get your certificate. Depending on the time of the year you're walking, there may be a lot of pilgrims so previous registration using the appointment system is recommended instead of just waiting in line once you arrive.
There are two types of certificates:
- A Latin Compostela is issued to those who have walked the Camino for Christian reasons: devotonis affectul, vel voti pietatis causa, (latin for "motivated by devotion, a vow or piety"). It’s written in Latin and includes your name translated into Latin.
- A Certificate of Distance ("Certificado de distancia"): This certificate is available to those who have walked the Camino for non-religious reasons. It is written in Spanish and includes personalized details such as where you started, how far you walked, and the completion date. This certificate currently costs 3 euros, while the Compostela is free.
Pro Tip: Always get both certificates for a complete record of your journey.
Hike the Way is here to help
When you walk with Hike the Way, not only will we provide your pilgrim credential inside your welcome packet, we'll give you detailed instructions on how to obtain your final Compostela, and support you along the way. We’re here to help make every step of your Camino experience meaningful and stress-free.
Buen Camino!