Camino de Santiago Pilgrim Passport: What It Is, Where to Get It and How It Works

Everything you need to know about the Pilgrim Passport

The Camino de Santiago Pilgrim Passport, also known as the Pilgrim Passport, is the document that certifies your pilgrimage and accompanies you throughout the journey. Along the way, you will collect stamps from each stage, and once you complete the Camino, it allows you to apply for the Compostela and other official certificates, provided you meet the required criteria.

Although it is not compulsory to walk the Camino de Santiago, it is essential if you wish to stay in many public hostels and obtain the Compostela upon arriving in Santiago de Compostela. For many pilgrims, it also becomes one of the most meaningful souvenirs of the journey.

In this guide, you’ll discover what the Pilgrim Passport is, where to get it, how much it costs, how it works, where to collect stamps and what you need to obtain the Compostela, as well as answers to the most common questions before starting the Camino.

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What is the Camino de Santiago Pilgrim Passport?

The Camino de Santiago Pilgrim Passport, also known as the Pilgrim Passport, is the official document that identifies pilgrims on their journey to Santiago de Compostela. Throughout the Camino, you will collect stamps from the places you pass through, providing proof of the route you have completed.

Its origins date back to the Middle Ages, when pilgrims carried safe-conduct documents to prove their status and facilitate their passage through different towns and regions. Today, it retains that same spirit, although its main purpose is to certify the pilgrimage and allow pilgrims to obtain the Compostela and other official certificates upon completing the Camino.

The Pilgrim Passport can be used on any of the official Camino de Santiago routes, such as the Camino Francés, the Camino Portugués, the Camino del Norte or the Camino Primitivo, among many others. Whichever route you choose, the Pilgrim Passport works in exactly the same way and follows the same requirements.

Is the Pilgrim Passport compulsory?

No. You can walk the Camino de Santiago without carrying a Pilgrim Passport, especially if you are staying exclusively in hotels, guesthouses or private accommodation.

However, it is essential if you want to:

• Stay in many public pilgrim hostels.
• Apply for the Compostela when you arrive in Santiago de Compostela.
• Obtain other official certificates, such as the Pilgrim Certificate or the Distance Certificate.
• Keep a unique souvenir of your Camino with the stamps collected during each stage.

For this reason, the vast majority of pilgrims choose to obtain their Pilgrim Passport before starting their journey, even when it is not a compulsory requirement.

Is there only one official Pilgrim Passport?

Yes. The official Pilgrim Passport is the document recognised by the Pilgrim Office in Santiago to certify your pilgrimage and allow you to apply for the Compostela. It consists of a fold-out booklet containing the pilgrim’s details and spaces for the stamps collected throughout the route.

In addition to the official Pilgrim Passport, there are also some passports issued by authorised organisations recognised by Santiago Cathedral. These are equally valid for completing the pilgrimage and obtaining the official certificates.

Where can you get the Pilgrim Passport?

Getting your Pilgrim Passport is one of the first steps before starting the Camino de Santiago. The good news is that you can easily obtain it both in Spain and abroad through organisations authorised by Santiago Cathedral.

The Camino de Santiago Friends Associations, churches, hostels and other collaborating organisations are the main places where the official Pilgrim Passport is issued. If you walk the Camino with a specialised agency such as Santiago Ways, you will also receive your Pilgrim Passport at the start of your trip, without having to arrange it yourself.

Below, you’ll find the most common places where you can obtain your Camino de Santiago Pilgrim Passport.

How do you get the Pilgrim Passport?

Obtaining the Pilgrim Passport is very straightforward. Simply visit one of the authorised issuing locations and provide your personal details. In some cases, you may be asked to show an identity document and, depending on the location, make a small donation or pay the official fee for the Pilgrim Passport.

If you prefer to travel with everything organised, many specialist agencies include the Pilgrim Passport as part of the trip. At Santiago Ways, for example, you’ll find it waiting for you at the accommodation where your route begins, so all you have to do is enjoy the Camino.

Where can you get the Pilgrim Passport in Sarria?

Sarria is the most popular starting point on the Camino de Santiago and one of the easiest places to obtain the Pilgrim Passport.

You can get it at selected hostels, churches and authorised establishments in the town. If you start the Camino Francés from Sarria with Santiago Ways, you will receive your Pilgrim Passport at your accommodation before the trip begins, ready to collect your first stamp from the very first stage.

Can you buy the Camino de Santiago Pilgrim Passport online?

There is no official Santiago Cathedral online shop where you can purchase the Pilgrim Passport and have it delivered to your home. The usual way is to collect it in person from an authorised organisation before starting the Camino or at your chosen starting point.

Some Camino de Santiago Friends Associations offer the possibility of requesting it by post or through their own application forms, although the conditions vary from one organisation to another. Therefore, it is always advisable to contact the relevant association directly or, if you are travelling with a specialist agency, confirm whether the Pilgrim Passport is included in your trip.

How much does the Pilgrim Passport cost?

The Camino de Santiago Pilgrim Passport usually costs around €2, although the price may vary slightly depending on the organisation issuing it. Some Camino associations and churches request a small donation, while others charge a fixed fee to cover printing and distribution costs.

If you are walking the Camino with a specialist travel agency, the Pilgrim Passport may already be included in the services you have booked. At Santiago Ways, for example, we provide it to our travellers at the beginning of their route, so there is no need to look for an issuing point before starting the Camino.

How does the Pilgrim Passport work?

Once you have your Camino de Santiago Pilgrim Passport, simply carry it with you throughout your pilgrimage. Along the way, you will collect stamps that prove your passage through the different towns and stages of the Camino.

The first stamp is usually collected where you begin your route. From that point onwards, you can continue collecting stamps until you arrive in Santiago de Compostela. If you wish to apply for the Compostela, you must meet the requirements established by the Pilgrim Office, including proving your route through the appropriate stamps.

The Pilgrim Passport can also be used for future pilgrimages, provided there is still space for new stamps. Many pilgrims keep the same passport for years as a record of the different Caminos they have completed.

How many stamps do I need?

The number of stamps required depends on the route you are walking and the certificate you wish to obtain at the end of the Camino.

As a general rule:

• If you complete the Camino on foot or on horseback, you must collect at least two stamps per day during the last 100 kilometres before reaching Santiago de Compostela.
• If you complete the Camino by bicycle, you must prove that you have completed the last 200 kilometres, also with the corresponding stamps.

Although these are the minimum requirements for obtaining the Compostela, you can stamp your Pilgrim Passport as many times as you like throughout the journey. Many pilgrims enjoy collecting stamps from churches, monasteries, hostels, cafés and iconic landmarks as a lasting reminder of their experience.

Where can you stamp your Pilgrim Passport?

Collecting stamps is an essential part of the Camino de Santiago experience. Besides proving your pilgrimage, every stamp represents a special place along the route, turning your Pilgrim Passport into a unique keepsake.

You can stamp your Pilgrim Passport at numerous locations along any of the official Camino de Santiago routes.

Places where you can stamp your Pilgrim Passport

What certificates can you obtain with the Pilgrim Passport?

Once you have completed the Camino de Santiago and met the requirements established by the Pilgrim Office, you can apply for different certificates confirming your pilgrimage.

Although many people confuse these documents with the Pilgrim Passport itself, they are different forms of certification. The Pilgrim Passport is used to collect stamps during the Camino, while the certificates are issued once the route has been completed.

The main documents you can obtain are listed below.

The Compostela

The Compostela is the best-known certificate associated with the Camino de Santiago. It is awarded to pilgrims who have completed the minimum required distance and declare that they undertook the pilgrimage for religious, spiritual or personal reasons.

To obtain it, you must present your properly stamped Pilgrim Passport at the Pilgrim Office in Santiago de Compostela.

Pilgrim Certificate and Distance Certificate

If you have completed the Camino for sporting, cultural or tourism-related reasons, you can also apply for the Pilgrim Certificate. There is also a Distance Certificate, which includes detailed information about your pilgrimage, such as your starting point, the route completed and the number of kilometres covered.

Both documents can be requested from the Pilgrim Office once you have completed the Camino.

The Fisterrana and the Muxiana

Many pilgrims decide to continue their journey to Fisterra or Muxía after arriving in Santiago de Compostela.

If this is your plan, you can obtain the Fisterrana after completing the Camino de Finisterre and the Muxiana if you continue to Muxía. To apply for either certificate, you must present the same Pilgrim Passport you used throughout the pilgrimage.

Frequently asked questions about the Camino de Santiago Pilgrim Passport

Is the Pilgrim Passport compulsory?

No. You can complete the Camino de Santiago without carrying a Pilgrim Passport. However, it is essential if you want to obtain the Compostela or other official certificates at the end of the pilgrimage, as it provides proof of the route through the stamps collected along the Camino.

Can I walk the Camino de Santiago without a Pilgrim Passport?

Yes. The Pilgrim Passport is not required to complete the different Camino de Santiago routes. However, some pilgrim hostels may ask for it as identification, and you will also need it if you wish to obtain the Compostela upon arriving in Santiago.

How much does the Pilgrim Passport cost?

The usual price of the Pilgrim Passport is €2, although it may vary slightly depending on the association, church or organisation where you request it. In some cases, a donation is requested instead of a fixed fee.

Where do I get my first stamp?

The first stamp is usually obtained where you collect your Pilgrim Passport or where you begin the Camino. From there, you can continue collecting stamps at hostels, churches, tourist offices and other establishments located along the route.

What happens if I lose my Pilgrim Passport during the Camino?

If you lose your Pilgrim Passport, you will need to request a new one to continue collecting stamps. The stamps in the lost passport cannot be recovered, so it is advisable to keep it in a safe place at all times and protect it from rain and moisture.

Can the same Pilgrim Passport be used for any Camino de Santiago route?

Yes. The official Pilgrim Passport is valid for all Camino de Santiago routes, including the Camino Francés, Camino Portugués, Camino del Norte, Camino Primitivo and Camino Inglés.

Can I use the same Pilgrim Passport for another Camino?

Yes, provided it still has space for new stamps. Many pilgrims use the same Pilgrim Passport for several pilgrimages until all its pages are full.

What happens if I am missing stamps?

If your Pilgrim Passport does not provide sufficient proof of the required distance, the Pilgrim Office may not be able to issue the Compostela. This is why it is important to collect stamps at the recommended frequency throughout the Camino, especially during the final 100 kilometres on foot or the final 200 kilometres by bicycle.

Get ready to begin your Camino

The Pilgrim Passport is much more than a document required to obtain the Compostela. It is a record of your pilgrimage and a lasting reminder of every stage, town and experience along the Camino de Santiago.

Now that you know what it is, where to get it, how much it costs and how to use it, all that remains is to take the first step and begin preparing for your adventure.

If you are thinking about walking the Camino de Santiago, at Santiago Ways we can help you organise a trip tailored to your needs, with carefully selected accommodation, luggage transfers and support throughout the route, so all you have to do is enjoy the experience.

Discover our Camino de Santiago routes and start planning your next pilgrimage.