Possible changes to the requirements for obtaining the Compostela

At the end of 2024, the American association American Pilgrims on the Camino conducted a Zoom interview with Canon D. Vitor Suárez Gondar of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela to discuss various topics related to the Camino. This interview is available on the association’s YouTube channel here. Founded in 1994, American Pilgrims on the Camino is dedicated to promoting the Camino de Santiago experience by supporting pilgrims, funding infrastructure projects, and collaborating directly with hostels on official routes.

During the conversation, the canon mentioned that it would no longer be necessary to walk the “last” 100 km to qualify for the Compostela. Instead, any 100 km section, as long as it is on an official route, would be valid, as long as it is done on foot or horseback (or 200 km by bike).

It was later identified that the Spanish version of the website of Oficina de Acogida al Peregrino, unlike the other languages in which it is translated, does not specify the need to walk “the last” 100 km to Santiago, suggesting that it will be enough to walk or ride any official 100 km section or 200 km by bike, as long as it is on an officially recognized route.

This new information and the discrepancy on the website generated many doubts, leading to debates in forums and social media, where pilgrims and associations sought to understand what actually applies. The Via Lusitana Pilgrim Associatio also requested clarification directly from Oficina de Acogida al Peregrino, but has not yet received a response.

In an attempt to clarify the issue, American Pilgrims on the Camino shared a post on Facebook, where they presented their conclusions on the matter, calling for patience until the doubts are officially clarified, also leaving open the possibility of a misunderstanding due to translations and updates on the Oficina del Peregrino website. Among the points highlighted in the post, they mention that:

• According to the most recent credential issued by the Cathedral (which differs from the one published on the Oficina de Acogida al Peregrino website), it is necessary to complete at least 100 km on foot or horseback on any official Camino route, or 200 km by bike. It is no longer mandatory to complete only the last 100 km to Santiago; any 100 km section on any officially recognized route is valid. Additionally, it will be necessary to obtain two date-stamped stamps per day along these qualifying kilometers.
• According to the Canon’s announcement, the pilgrim needs to complete the last “stage” to Santiago, referring, for example, to walking from Arzúa, for those on the French Way. The required kilometers can be done in stages, but they need to be chronologically and geographically continuous along the chosen route towards Santiago.

The Via Lusitana Pilgrim Association clarifies that the requirement for two stamps does not represent a change but rather a requirement that has already been in place for the last 100 km, and has long been published on the Oficina del Peregrino website.

For now, it will be necessary to wait for an official written confirmation to clarify any doubts regarding the possible changes to the requirements for obtaining the Compostela.