Credencial del Peregrino
Your official pilgrim passport for the Camino de Santiago journey
📜 ESSENTIAL: You NEED this document for your Camino!
Required for albergue access, Compostela certificate, and proving your pilgrim status. Get it BEFORE you start!
Stamp Collection
Collect official stamps (sellos) as proof of your journey. Minimum 2 stamps per day for final 100km!
Albergue Access
MANDATORY for staying in pilgrim hostels. No credencial = no bed in municipal albergues!
Compostela Certificate
Required to receive your official completion certificate in Santiago de Compostela.
🌍 Order from Home (RECOMMENDED - 2-4 weeks delivery)
🇬🇧 UK & Ireland
Confraternity of St James
📧 office@csj.org.uk
🌐 www.csj.org.uk
💰 £3 + postage
🇺🇸 USA & Canada
American Pilgrims
🌐 www.americanpilgrims.org
Canadian Company
🌐 www.santiago.ca
💰 $5-15 + shipping
🇩🇪 Germany & Austria
St. James Society
🌐 www.jakobsweg.de
Australian Friends
🌐 www.afotsc.org
💰 €5-10 + shipping
🏃 Get it On-Route (if you forgot to order ahead)
🇪🇸 In Spain
- St-Jean-Pied-de-Port: Pilgrims' Office (Camino Francés start)
- Santiago Cathedral: Pilgrims' Reception Office
- Major churches: Most churches along routes
- Tourism offices: León, Astorga, Ponferrada
- Albergues: Many hostels sell them
💰 Cost: €2-3
🇵🇹 In Portugal
- Porto Cathedral: Camino Portugués start
- Lisbon Churches: Igreja do Carmo, Sé de Lisboa
- Tourism Offices: Porto, Coimbra, Tomar
- Albergues: Along Camino Portugués
- Parish Churches: Most towns
💰 Cost: €2-5
🇫🇷 In France
- St-Jean-Pied-de-Port: Official start office
- Le Puy-en-Velay: Via Podiensis start
- Arles: Via Tolosana beginning
- Vézelay: Via Lemovicensis start
- Tours: Via Turonensis start
💰 Cost: €2-5
Choose Your Source
Visit your country's Santiago association website. Links provided above for major countries.
Provide Information
Full name, address, planned route, start date, purpose (religious, spiritual, cultural, mixed).
Payment & Shipping
Pay online or by mail. Allow 2-4 weeks for international delivery. Express options available.
Backup Plan
You can always get one at the start, but ordering ahead ensures proper planning and peace of mind.
Pro Tip
Having your Credencial beforehand allows you to plan accommodations and get your first stamp from home as a symbolic start to your spiritual journey. Many pilgrims treasure this "home stamp" as their journey's beginning.
🚨 CRITICAL: Stamp Requirements for Compostela
🚶♂️ Walking
- Most of journey: 1 stamp per day minimum
- Final 100km: 2 stamps per day MANDATORY
- Different times: Morning AND evening stamps
🚴♂️ Cycling
- Most of journey: 1 stamp per day minimum
- Final 200km: 2 stamps per day MANDATORY
- Proof required: Bicycle shown in some stamps
📍 Where to Get Your Stamps
⛪ Best Quality Stamps
- Churches & Cathedrals: Most prestigious stamps
- Monasteries: Often unique, beautiful designs
- Town Halls: Official municipal stamps
- Tourism Offices: Special commemorative designs
Many churches have stamps available 24/7 in entrance areas
🏨 Accommodation Stamps
- Albergues: Essential when staying overnight
- Hotels: Usually happy to provide stamps
- Pensiones: Small guesthouses
- Casa Rurales: Rural accommodations
Always ask for a stamp when checking in
☕ Business Stamps
- Cafés & Restaurants: Very common along route
- Pharmacies: Usually very helpful
- Shops: Local businesses
- Post Offices: Official government stamps
Buy something small as a courtesy
✅ Stamp Quality Requirements
| Requirement | ✅ Good Stamp | ❌ Bad Stamp |
|---|---|---|
| Date | Clear, current date visible | No date, wrong date, unclear |
| Location | Town/city name clearly visible | No location identification |
| Clarity | Crisp, readable impression | Smudged, partial, unclear |
| Official | From established business/church | Personal stamps, random stamps |
🛡️ Protect Your Credencial
- Waterproof bag: Essential for rain protection
- Photo backup: Take pictures of all pages weekly
- Secure storage: Inner pocket or belt pouch
- Digital copy: Scan before starting journey
- Separate storage: Don't keep with passport
- Multiple locations: Distribute copies in different bags
📏 Distance Requirements (NON-NEGOTIABLE)
🚶♂️ Walking
Minimum 100km
from any official route
🚴♂️ Cycling
Minimum 200km
from any official route
🐎 Horseback
Minimum 200km
less common option
📍 Popular 100km+ Starting Points
| Starting Point | Distance | Route | Popularity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sarria | 111km | Camino Francés | 🔥 Most popular |
| Tui | 118km | Camino Portugués | 🔥 Very popular |
| Ponferrada | 205km | Camino Francés | ⭐ Good option |
| Astorga | 266km | Camino Francés | ⭐ Classic choice |
| León | 306km | Camino Francés | ⭐ Great experience |
📋 What You Need
- Completed Credencial: With all required stamps
- ID Document: Passport or national ID
- Purpose: Religious, spiritual, cultural, or mixed
- Route verification: Stamps show logical progression
🏢 Pilgrims' Reception Office
- Location: Rúa do Vilar, 1/3, Santiago
- Hours: Daily 9:00-19:00 (varies by season)
- Languages: Spanish, English, German, French
- Cost: FREE service
- Peak times: Expect queues in summer
📜 Certificate Types
- Compostela: Religious/spiritual motivation (Latin)
- Certificate of Completion: Cultural/touristic
- Distance Certificate: Shows exact km walked
- Welcome Certificate: Partial completion
- Special certificates: Holy Years
Can I get multiple Credenciales?
Yes! If you plan multiple Caminos or if your current one is full. Each journey should have its own credential for proper documentation.
What if I lose my Credencial?
You can get a replacement at any church, albergue, or tourism office along the route. Having photo backups helps with date verification.
Can I start without a Credencial?
Yes, but get one immediately upon starting. You cannot access albergues or earn a Compostela without proper documentation from the beginning.
Is it valid for all routes?
Yes! The same Credencial works for all official Camino routes throughout Europe. The format is standardized across all countries.
How much does it cost?
€2-5 in Spain/Portugal, €5-15 internationally including shipping. Some churches may provide them for free as pastoral service.
Can I laminate my Credencial?
NO! Do not laminate or significantly modify your Credencial. This may invalidate it. Use a waterproof sleeve instead for protection.