October 12, 2026
How to get the Compostela, explained simply
What the Compostela is, how many kilometres you need to walk, how many stamps you need and where to collect it in Santiago. In five steps, no small print.
The Compostela is a certificate you get for free in Santiago that says you have walked the Camino. To get it you only need to do three things: walk at least the last 100 km to Santiago, collect stamps along the way and show them when you arrive.
That's it. Now, step by step.
First, two words
- The official pilgrim document is a small paper booklet you carry with you. It has empty boxes. That's where the stamps go. Think of it as the passport of the Camino.
- The Compostela is the certificate you get at the end, in Santiago, when you show your booklet full of stamps.
First the booklet. At the end, the Compostela.
Step 1 · Get your booklet before you start
Get it before you take your first step. You can find it at:
- A Friends of the Camino association (there are many in different countries, including the USA, the UK, Ireland, Canada and Australia).
- Many parishes and some albergues at the start of each Camino.
- The Cathedral of Santiago or its online shop.
It costs very little (a couple of euros). Write your name on it and you're done.
Step 2 · Walk at least 100 km
You have to arrive in Santiago on foot after walking at least 100 km in a row. By bike it's 200 km. On horseback, 100 km too.
Three simple rules:
- The last kilometres must end at the Cathedral of Santiago. You can't walk 100 km somewhere else and then arrive by bus.
- It has to be a recognised Camino. All the well-known ones are. → List of all the Caminos
- You can do it in sections (one part one year, another part the next), as long as you walk in order towards Santiago and have the stamps for every section.
Where do the last 100 km start? The most popular starting points are:
| Camino | Start in | Approx. distance |
|---|---|---|
| French Way | Sarria | 115 km |
| Portuguese Way | Tui | 115 km |
| Portuguese Coastal Way | Baiona | 122 km |
| English Way | Ferrol | 122 km |
| Primitive Way | Lugo | 100 km (just) |
| Northern Way | Vilalba | 120 km |
| Sanabrés / Vía de la Plata | Ourense | 105 km |
Step 3 · Collect stamps (two a day on the last 100 km)
Every day, ask for a stamp in your booklet. You can get stamps at albergues, churches, bars, town halls, hotels… almost anywhere on the Camino.
- On the last 100 km: two stamps a day, with the date written on them.
- Before that: one a day is enough.
Tip: get one stamp when you set off and another halfway or when you arrive. That way you'll never be short.
Step 4 · When you reach Santiago, go to the Pilgrim's Office
It isn't in the Cathedral; it's very close by:
- Where: Pilgrim's Reception Office, Rúa das Carretas, 33, Santiago de Compostela.
- Opening hours: every day from 9:00 to 19:00. Closed on 25 December and 1 January; if you arrive on those days, the Compostela is issued at the Cathedral.
- How it works: you register (you can do it online from your phone in advance), you get a number with a QR code and you wait for your turn. In summer and in the Holy Year the queues can be long.
- You have to go in person, with your booklet. Nobody can collect it for you.
Step 5 · Collect your Compostela
At the counter they check your stamps and ask you why you walked the Camino:
- If it was for a religious or spiritual reason, you get the Compostela, written in Latin with your name. It's free.
- If it was for another reason (sport, culture, tourism), you get a welcome certificate instead.
You can also ask for the certificate of distance, which shows how many kilometres you walked and where you started. This one costs €3. They also sell a tube so the certificate gets home without folding.
Mistakes that leave you without a Compostela
- Starting without the booklet and trying to collect stamps afterwards.
- Only one stamp a day on the last 100 km.
- Doing parts by car or bus within the last 100 km.
- Starting too close: for example, from A Coruña (75 km) without another 25 km walked on a recognised Camino route in your own country (the so-called Celtic Camino, mainly from Ireland and the UK).
- Trying to collect it somewhere else: it is only issued at the Pilgrim's Office in Santiago.
Frequently asked questions
How many kilometres do I need for the Compostela?
At least 100 km on foot or on horseback, or 200 km by bike, ending in Santiago.
How many stamps do I need?
Two a day on the last 100 km (200 km by bike). Before that, one a day.
Does the Compostela cost anything?
No. It's free. The certificate of distance and the tube cost a little.
Where do I collect the Compostela?
At the Pilgrim's Reception Office, Rúa das Carretas 33, Santiago. Every day from 9:00 to 19:00, except 25 December and 1 January.
Can it be posted to me or collected by someone else?
No. You have to collect it in person.
Can I walk the 100 km over several trips?
Yes, as long as you walk in order towards Santiago and have the stamps for every section.
Is there a digital version?
Yes, the Cathedral has an official digital version of the pilgrim document. It works the same way: stamps along the way and collection at the Office.
Do I have to be Catholic?
No. Anyone can walk the Camino. The Compostela is given to those who walk for religious or spiritual reasons; those who walk for other reasons receive a welcome certificate.
Related: All the Caminos de Santiago · Holy Year 2027 · Portuguese Camino
Source: Pilgrim's Office of Santiago (oficinadelperegrino.com), tel. +34 981 568 846. The rules are set by the Cathedral and may change: check them before you set off. Reviewed on 12/10/2026.
Waymino is a band that keeps the photos and notes from every stage of your Camino, and gives you your memory video when you reach Santiago. See the band →
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