The Compostela is the certificate that Santiago Cathedral gives to those who finish the Camino. For the Portuguese Camino the rules are the same as for any other, with one important detail if you start from Portugal: at least 70 of the last 100 km must be in Spain. Here are the requirements of the Pilgrim’s Office, where to start and how to collect it.
Requirements to get the Compostela
- Cover at least the last 100 km on foot or on horseback, or 200 km by bike, continuously and along one single Camino.
- If you start outside Spain, at least 70 km must be on Spanish territory.
- Carry the credential with two stamps a day, dated. If you walk the Camino in separate sections, stamp it at the start and the end of each one.
- Make the pilgrimage with a Christian meaning or for a religious or spiritual reason. If the reason is different, you can ask for the Distance Certificate.
Where to start on the Portuguese Camino
| Starting point | Route | Km to Santiago | Valid for the Compostela on foot? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tui | Central Route | 115,8 | Yes |
| Valença | Central Route | 118,6 | Yes (more than 70 km in Spain) |
| Baiona | Coastal Route | 125,3 | Yes |
| Vigo | Coastal Route | 99.3 (101.4 according to the Xunta) | Right on the limit |
| Porto | Central / Coastal | 241,4 / 270,9 | Yes, by bike too |
The Pilgrim’s Office does not publish an official list of valid starting points. From Vigo the distance is right on the limit depending on who measures it: if the Compostela matters to you, start from Baiona, A Ramallosa or Tui. By bike, the 200 km are covered from Porto along both variants; see the Portuguese Camino by bike.
Where and how to collect it
The Pilgrim’s Office is at Rúa das Carretas, 33, very close to the cathedral, and is open from 9:00 to 19:00; it closes on 25 December and 1 January, when the Compostela is given out in the Sacristy. Registration is done on the spot by scanning a QR code: you receive a code, take a number and see the queue in real time on a screen.
The Compostela is free. The Distance Certificate, which states the kilometres walked, costs €3.
The Portuguese Camino in numbers
In 2025 the Pilgrim’s Office issued 530,844 Compostelas. The Portuguese Camino Central Route accounted for 100,815 (19%) and the Coastal Route for 89,512 (almost 17%), with 20% growth on the Coastal Route compared with 2024. Tui was the second most used starting point of all the Caminos, with 41,645 pilgrims, behind only Sarria; it was followed by Porto (on both variants), Vigo and Valença.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I get the Compostela from on the Portuguese Camino?
On foot, from Tui (115.8 km), Valença or Baiona; from Vigo the distance is on the limit. By bike you have to cover 200 km: from Porto on either of the two variants.
How many stamps do I need?
Two a day, dated, in the credential.
How much does the Compostela cost?
It is free. The Distance Certificate costs €3.
If I start in Portugal, does the whole route count?
Yes, as long as at least 70 of the last 100 km are covered in Spain.