The Compostela is the official certificate that confirms you have completed the Camino de Santiago. For many pilgrims it is the ultimate goal of the journey, and obtaining it requires meeting a number of specific requirements. In this guide we explain exactly how to get it.
What is the Compostela?
The Compostela is a document in Latin issued by the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela that certifies you have completed the Camino de Santiago with religious or spiritual motivation. It is the traditional pilgrim certificate and has centuries of history.
There is also the Certificate of Distance (or "Distancia"), awarded to those who have completed the Camino with non-religious or purely sporting motivation. And the Fisterrana, for those who continue on to Cape Finisterre.
Requirements to obtain the Compostela
To obtain the official Compostela you must meet these three requirements:
- Minimum distance: At least 100 km on foot (or 200 km by bicycle or on horseback) to Santiago.
- Stamped credential: You must present the pilgrim credential with at least 2 stamps per day in the last 100 km (or 1 stamp per day if you start earlier).
- Motivation: Declare religious, spiritual or cultural motivation when collecting the certificate.
The pilgrim credential: what it is and how to get one
The credential is the "pilgrim's passport", a small paper booklet in which you collect stamps from hostels, churches, cafés and tourist offices along the Camino. Without it you cannot obtain the Compostela.
Where to get the credential?
- At the Cathedral of Santiago or the Pilgrim Office (before you start)
- At the parish church in Sarria or at the starting point of any route
- At the Friends of the Camino associations in your city
- If you book with us, we send it to you along with your travel documents
How to stamp your credential correctly
This is the point where most doubts arise. The rules are:
- In the last 100 km: a minimum of 2 stamps per day, at different places.
- On the rest of the Camino: 1 stamp per day is sufficient.
- Stamps must be legible and show the name of the place and the date.
- Any stamp from a hostel, bar, church, town hall, tourist office... counts.
The Pilgrim Office: where and when to go
On arriving in Santiago you must go to the Pilgrim Office, located at Rúa das Carretas, 33, very close to the Cathedral. There you present your credential and declare your motivation.
- Usual opening hours: 9am to 9pm in high season, 10am to 7pm in low season.
- Queues: In summer the queues can be long. Arrive early.
- Cost: The Compostela is free. The Certificate of Distance costs €3.
The Pilgrim Mass
Every day at 12 noon the Pilgrim Mass is held in the Cathedral, dedicated especially to the pilgrims arriving that day. It is a very special moment that many remember as the highlight of their Camino, even if you are not religious. Try not to miss it on the day you arrive.
Want to arrive in Santiago with everything organised?
We take care of the credential, the itinerary and 24h support so your Camino is perfect.
Request a free quote →Frequently asked questions about the Compostela
Can I get the Compostela if I start from Sarria?
Yes. Sarria is the most popular starting point precisely because it allows you to meet the 100 km minimum. With our package from Sarria you cover 115 km and comfortably fulfil the requirement.
Does the Compostela have any official value?
It is a religious document with symbolic and historical value. It has no academic or professional recognition, but it is a certificate that is deeply valued on a personal level by those who receive it.
What happens if I lose my credential?
If you lose it during the Camino, you can get a new one at any official point, but you will lose all your previous stamps. For this reason it is recommended to photograph it every night. If you book with us, we will guide you at every step.
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