03 Oct 24
Pilgrim passports & compostelas on the Camino
A pilgrim passport is part of your Camino experience. While it is not strictly necessary to have one if you are not staying in Albergues they are still a great memento of your trip and will entitle you to your Compostela certificate once you reach Santiago.
The Camino passport is an official Camino document and will be issued to you with your Camino pre-departure pack if you have planned a trip with RAW Travel. They can also be purchased for a few euros at one of the pilgrims offices on the Camino or from the Australian friends of the Camino.
The pilgrim’s passport itself is a folded piece of card with space for 54 stamps. You will need to write your name clearly on the inside page before you travel.
Why a passport?
The passport is used to verify the distance you have walked or cycled, regardless of your route and is proof that you are a ‘real’ pilgrim and are not travelling by car or public transport along the Camino. It is also your passport to staying in the Albergues if you choose to. The passport is a wonderful memento of your pilgrimage and is used to determine monthly statistics on the Camino such as how many pilgrims are walking into Santiago each year.
The pilgrim’s passport has space for 54 stamps.
How many stamps do I need each day?
If you are walking (or travelling by horse!) you will need to obtain 2 stamps or ‘sellos’ per day for the final 100km of walking. This is part of the reason for the popularity of the Sarria to Santiago section, which is just over that distance. If you are cycling, you will need to obtain 2 stamps per day for the final 200km of your journey – or from just near Ponferrada on the traditional Camino.
Is is a good idea to keep your pilgrim’s passport with your regular passport so that when you are checking into your accommodation you can request a stamp. Stamps are also available at religious sites, hotels, town halls, museums, city halls, police stations and Albergues.
Am I eligible for a Compostela no matter which Camino I walk?
Yes and no. The main rule is that you have to walk the last 100km, or cycle the last 200km, of your Camino into Santiago. So it doesn’t matter which direction you come from or which version of the Camino you walk as long as you abide by this rule of thumb. There are a couple of exceptions, however.
It was recently decreed that if you are using an e-bike that you are not eligible for a Compostela certificate. The enforcement of this is extremely difficult, however, so you would probably still be able to get one, but technically you wouldn’t be allowed one.
Similarly, if you take the Spiritual Variant of the Portuguese Camino you are also not technically allowed to receive one. This is because there is a boat trip involved from Vilanova de Arousa to Pontecesures, effectively negating your eligibility. Again, however, this would be hard to enforce as they don’t actually know that you didn’t walk that day, but the purists will tell you that you shouldn’t be claiming one.
When will I receive my Compostela certificate?
Once you arrive in Santiago, take your passport to the Pilgrim’s Office to register and receive your QR code. This will also have an approximate time that you should present yourself to the Pilgrim’s office and, once there, they will verify the final 100km of stamps in your passport and issue you with your official Compostela certificate. The pilgrim’s office is usually open from 9am to 7pm. It is still advised to get there about half an hour before your approximate allotted time with your QR code as there may still be a queue. You will be asked some questions about where you started, and your motivation for your time on the Camino. You can also purchase a Certificate of Distance for your exact distance walked on the Camino, and a tube to protect your well-deserved Compostela.
When you attend the Pilgrim’s Office you will be asked some questions about where you started, and your motivation for your time on the Camino.
What’s the history of the Compostela?
Historically, pilgrims displayed a scallop shell to prove their pilgrimage but this became more of a commercial practice with many people buying and selling shells en route. Since the 13th century, the ‘Compostela’ became a valuable document to prove one’s pilgrimage and often demonstrate a penance. By receiving a certificate showing they had walked to Santiago they could get back home and show they had paid their penance, ie repented for their sins. The Compostela also meant pilgrims could stay in the Royal Hospital in Santiago for up to 3 days (now the Parador).
If you have passed through the pilgrim’s office in the last 24 hours your name will be read out at the 1200 pilgrims mass in the Santiago Cathedral!
Where else can I purchase a pilgrim’s passport?
- JEAN DE PIED PORT – Office de Peregrino
- RONCESVALLES – Office del Peregrino
- JACA – Iglesia de Santiago
- LARRASOANA – Albergue Municipal de Peregrinos (D. Santiago Zubiri)
- PAMPLONA – Albergue de peregrines
- PUENTE LA REINA – Albergue de peregrinos
- ESTELLA – Albergue de peregrinos
- LOGRONO – Albergue Municipal de peregrinos
- SANTO DOMINGO DE LA CALZADA – Albergue de peregrinos de la Cofradia del Santo
- BURGOS – Albergue de peregrinos (Asociacion de amigos del Camino de Burgos)
- FROMISTA – Oficina del peregrino (Monasterio de San Zoilo)
- LEON – Albergue de peregrinos
- ASTORGA – Albergue de peregrinos
- MOLINASECA – Albergue de peregrinos (Alfredo)
- PONFERRADA – Albergue de peregrinos
- VILLAFRANCA DEL BIERZO – Albergue de peregrinos Ave Fanix (Jato)
- O’CEBREIRO – Albergue de peregrinos
- SAMOS – Albergue del Monasterio
- SARRIA – Albergue de peregrinos
- PORTOMARIN – Albergue de peregrinos
Written By
Adrian Mayer
Adrian is RAW Travel's resident Camino expert having walked four Caminos, including the full Camino Frances twice. This is a culmination of a life spent travelling, with over 70 countries visited, plus a career spent working in travel. Tailoring personalised Caminos is one of Adrian's favourite pastimes.