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The Compostela: Rúa Carretas 33, 9:00 to 19:00, with a QR ticket

Checked 23/09/2026

You collect the Compostela at the Pilgrim’s Reception Office, Rúa Carretas 33. It opens every day from 9:00 to 19:00. Closed on 25 December and 1 January. To collect it you need to get a ticket with a QR code, which lets you see the queue status in real time.

Almost everyone arrives in Santiago with two questions: whether their kilometres will count, and whether they’ll lose the afternoon in the queue. The first depends on the credential (pilgrim passport) you bring. The second, on the QR ticket: you get the ticket and go off for lunch without losing your place.

Requirement on foot or on horseback: 100 continuous km heading towards Santiago. If you start outside Spain, at least 70 km must be in Spanish territory.

By bike: 200 km. By sailing boat: 100 nautical miles and the rest on foot.

Reason: you have to state a religious reason, or “religious and other”. Otherwise the Office issues a different certificate.

Stamps: in chronological and geographical order, with a stamp at the start and end of each stage, dated.

Valid credential: the Office’s official model, or credentials “recognised by the Cathedral” handed out by parishes, authorised associations, albergues and confraternities.

It’s free and you collect it in person.

Distance certificate: same conditions as the Compostela. From November to March you can request it by email at [email protected]. The Office doesn’t publish its price.

When you don’t need this: If you don’t care about the certificate, you don’t need to go to the Office. You can visit the Cathedral just the same without a Compostela.

Pending: How long the queue takes in August and what time they stop giving out tickets: I’ll time it in person in high season and put it here, with the date. Until then I won’t give you a number.

Sources (every detail on this page comes from here):

Signed: David, from Santiago de Compostela. If something has changed and I don’t know yet, email me at [email protected].

Right now

Questions

Does starting in Tui count for the 100 km?

Yes. The Xunta puts Tui to Santiago on the Portuguese Way at 118.8 km. That’s 18 to spare.

And what about starting in Vigo along the coast?

The Xunta puts Vigo to Santiago along the Portuguese Coastal Way at 101 km. That’s only just over. On the forums, some pilgrims report that starting from Vigo was questioned at the counter. I can’t guarantee it: if you start in Vigo, get a stamp at the start and end of each stage from day one, dated.

Can I send someone else to collect it?

No. The Office says you collect it in person.

Will I get it the same day I arrive?

Not always. The Office warns on its website that at very busy times it can’t guarantee you’ll collect it the same day. With the QR ticket you see the queue in real time. If you arrive mid-afternoon in high season, be prepared to come back the next day. Once I’ve timed it in person, I’ll put the actual waiting time here.

What next?

See what’s still open at the time you arrive, or what you still have time to do: Santiago, now. If something else has come up: I have a problem.

Let me know if this changes

If the opening hours, the location or the price on this page change, you’ll get an email. Just that. If nothing changes, I won’t write.

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