The Compostela is the certificate granted by the Pilgrim's Office to those who make the pilgrimage with a religious or spiritual sense along the official routes of the Camino. It is free, written in Latin, and bears the seal of the Church and the signature of the Dean of the Cathedral.
Requirements
- On foot or on horseback: at least 100 continuous km towards Santiago, on a single camino registered in the system of the International Pilgrim Reception Centre. By bicycle: 200 km, under the same conditions.
- By sailing boat: 100 nautical miles, and the rest of the Camino on foot from the port of landing, with the stamps of the stages on foot.
- The last stage with which you complete the kilometres must be, at least, the one immediately before the arrival at the Cathedral.
- Choose one official camino and follow it, always towards Santiago, without alternating or mixing routes.
- Stamp your credential at the start and end of each stage, with the date, and collect at least two stamps per day. If you only cover the minimum distance, you must stamp at the start and end of each stage even if you already stamped in that place at the end of the previous one.
- If you walk in stages, they must follow chronological and geographic order.
- Make the pilgrimage with a religious or spiritual sense. You will be asked when you register.
In special circumstances, the Chapter of the Cathedral may grant the Compostela to individuals or groups. In those cases you must first contact the International Pilgrim Reception Centre.
With the Chilean credential
The 25 km of the Vía de los Andes, stamped in your Chilean credential, are recognized as Camino. That is why in Spain you are asked for at least 75 km to complete the 100 km of the Compostela. On the Camino Inglés from A Coruña, 73 km is enough.
How to collect it
It is issued only in person and individually, at the Pilgrim's Office, Rúa Carretas 33, 15705 Santiago de Compostela. It cannot be requested by phone, online or on behalf of another person.
- At the Office you scan a QR code and fill in your details in the application.
- You receive a code by email or message, which you must write in your credential with the date.
- Once registered you get a ticket with your turn and a QR to follow the waiting time in real time.
The Office is open every day from 10:00 to 19:00 and closed on 25 December and 1 January. When it is busy, collecting it the same day is not guaranteed. Phone +34 981 568 846, email oficinadelperegrino@catedraldesantiago.es.
Children
Children who walk the Camino with their parents or in a group may receive it if they have made their Communion or understand the spiritual or religious meaning of the Camino. Younger children receive a special certificate with their name, and babies appear on the Compostela of their parents or accompanying adult. If in doubt, ask the Office.
A tradition
In the past, those who presented the Compostela were entitled to free lodging for three days at the Hostal de los Reyes Católicos. Today the hotel still offers free meals to the first pilgrims of the day who present the Compostela.
Distance Certificate
Besides the Compostela you can request the Distance Certificate, which certifies your kilometres, the dates, the starting point and the route. It requires the same conditions, and those who walked in the past can also request it. It is printed on parchment and is larger than the Compostela. Request it by email at certificadodedistancia@catedraldesantiago.es (more information at the Pilgrim's Office).
Testimonium of the Vía de los Andes
It is a different document from the ones above: the certificate, written in Latin, that proves you completed the Vía de los Andes in Chile. It is issued by the Círculo and requested through the Mi Credencial app or the “Pilgrim Requests” form (more details in the FAQ). It does not replace the Compostela, which can only be collected in Santiago de Compostela.
Source: Pilgrim's Office of Santiago de Compostela. Information checked on 14-11-2026. Hours and rules may change, especially in the 2027 Holy Year, so confirm them before you travel.