The Pilgrim Credential: your passport for the Portuguese Camino

The credencial (pilgrim passport) is the small document that turns a walk into a recognised Camino: it lets you sleep in pilgrim albergues and, stamped along the way, earns you the Compostela in Santiago. Here is where to get one, how to stamp it, and what the last 100 km rule means on the Coastal route.

What the credential is — and why you need it

The pilgrim credential is an official card that records your journey with dated stamps (sellos in Spain, carimbos in Portugal). You need it for two things: to be admitted to pilgrim albergues, which only take credentialed pilgrims, and to claim the Compostela certificate at the Pilgrim's Office in Santiago. Keep it somewhere dry and easy to reach — you will present it every day.

Where to get your credential

Most pilgrims pick one up at the start. In Porto, the Sé (cathedral) and the city's tourism offices issue them; if you fly into Lisbon, the Sé de Lisboa does too. Starting in Galicia, the cathedral and pilgrim associations in Tui provide them. You can also order one in advance from a Confraternity of St James in your own country. Along the Coastal route, some albergues and tourist offices can supply a credential if you arrive without one.

Collecting stamps (sellos / carimbos)

Get at least one stamp per day for most of the route, and two stamps per day over the final 100 km — this is what the Pilgrim's Office checks. Stamps are free and easy to find: albergues, churches, tourist offices, town halls, and many cafés and bars give them. On this route you can stamp in Caminha before the crossing, in A Guarda on arrival in Spain, and in every Galician town through to Santiago.

The 100 km rule and the Compostela

To receive the Compostela you must walk at least the last 100 km into Santiago (or cycle 200 km). On the Portuguese Camino the usual minimum-distance start is Tui, about 115 km out. If you are walking the Coastal route from Caminha and A Guarda, you comfortably exceed the 100 km minimum — just keep two stamps a day from the 100 km point onward so your credential proves the distance.

Step by step

1

Get your credential before you start

Pick up a pilgrim passport in Porto (the Sé or a tourism office), in Tui, or order one in advance from a Confraternity of St James.
2

Stamp it daily

Collect at least one stamp a day, and two per day over the final 100 km, at albergues, churches, cafés, tourist offices or town halls.
3

Walk the last 100 km

Cover at least the final 100 km on foot — Tui is the classic minimum-distance start. On the Coastal route from Caminha and A Guarda you are well past that minimum.
4

Claim the Compostela in Santiago

Present your stamped credential at the Pilgrim's Office in Santiago to receive your Compostela certificate.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a pilgrim credential to walk the Portuguese Camino?

You can walk without one, but you need it to sleep in pilgrim albergues and to receive the Compostela in Santiago. It is inexpensive and easy to get at the start, so almost every pilgrim carries one.

Where can I get a pilgrim passport in Porto?

The Sé do Porto (cathedral) and the city's tourism offices issue credentials. If you start further south, the Sé de Lisboa does too; in Galicia, get one in Tui.

How many stamps do I need per day?

At least one per day for most of the route, and two per day over the final 100 km into Santiago — the Pilgrim's Office uses these to verify you walked the qualifying distance.

Is A Guarda to Santiago more than 100 km?

Yes. Walking the Coastal route from A Guarda through Vigo, Redondela, Pontevedra and Padrón to Santiago comfortably exceeds the 100 km minimum needed for the Compostela.

Sources: https://oficinadelperegrino.com/en/the-compostela/ · https://www.caminodesantiago.gal/en/plan/being-a-pilgrim/the-credential · https://caminoways.com/where-can-i-get-my-pilgrim-credential