Complete guide for international pilgrims: how to prepare your trip to the Camino de Santiago without mistakes

Guide for international travelers to the Camino de Santiago: entry requirements, visas and customs, money usage, connectivity, light luggage, transportation, insurance, and safety. Explains the differences between Europeans and non-Europeans and how to organize the trip without mistakes or complications.

Traveling to the Camino de Santiago from another country, especially from outside Europe, is not like organizing a typical vacation. It is not just about choosing a route or booking accommodations. Issues such as entry into Spain, customs regulations, the use of money, connectivity, or luggage management also come into play.

Many international pilgrims arrive with similar questions: what will they be asked at the airport, how will they communicate during the Camino, whether they can pay by card, or what to do with a large suitcase during a route that actually requires traveling light.

In this guide, you will find a comprehensive and clear overview to prepare your trip without mistakes and with the peace of mind of having everything under control from the very beginning.

Before traveling to the Camino de Santiago, if you are coming from abroad, it is important to plan many aspects of the trip.

Before traveling to Spain: what you need to know according to your country of origin

Not all travelers have the same circumstances. The main difference lies between those traveling from the European Union and those coming from outside it. At this point, it is also important to understand what the Schengen Area is, as it affects how you enter and move around Europe.

The Schengen Area is a group of European countries that have eliminated internal border controls between them. This means that once you enter one of these countries, you can move freely between others such as Spain, France, or Portugal without having to go through passport control again.

If you are coming from the European Union

The journey is relatively straightforward from an administrative point of view. You do not need a visa and you can travel with your identity document or passport. Additionally, if you are coming from a European Union country, you have access to public healthcare in Spain through the European Health Insurance Card, which provides you with basic coverage during your stay.

Regarding connectivity, in most cases, you will be able to use your mobile phone as you do in your country, without additional roaming charges. This greatly facilitates daily organization during the Camino and significantly reduces logistical concerns before departure.

On the Camino de Santiago, no one is a stranger

If you are coming from outside Europe

This is where most doubts arise and where it is advisable to prepare the trip well. You will need a valid passport and, depending on your nationality, a Schengen visa. The maximum permitted stay is usually 90 days within the Schengen area.

It is important to keep in mind that you will not always enter directly through Spain. Many travelers access Europe through other countries such as France, Germany, or Italy. In that case, passport control is carried out in that first country of entry into the Schengen area, and then you can move freely to Spain without new border controls.

Even so, you must comply at all times with the entry conditions, as authorities may request documentation during your stay. In these cases, it is most common for them to ask you for:

• Accommodation reservations or travel confirmation.
• A clear itinerary.
• Sufficient financial means.

That is why it is advisable to travel with all the documentation organized from the beginning of the trip, regardless of the country through which you enter Europe. Having your plan clear not only provides peace of mind but also avoids problems both at the initial control and during your stay.

It is important to carry all your travel documentation

Customs in Spain: what you can bring in your suitcase without problems

One of the least known aspects for international travelers is the functioning of customs. However, understanding these rules can prevent inconveniences upon arrival and help you better prepare your luggage before leaving home.

Regarding money, you can enter Spain with up to 10,000 euros in cash without declaring. If you carry a higher amount, you must declare it at customs. In practice, it is most advisable to combine cash with a card for comfortable movement and to avoid unnecessary risks.

As for products such as alcohol or tobacco, there are specific limits if you are coming from outside the European Union. Within the EU, however, there are usually no significant restrictions for personal use, although it is always advisable to check the specific conditions before traveling.

On the Camino, you will find everything

The most important point usually concerns food. It is not allowed to bring meat or dairy products from outside the European Union, and there are also restrictions on fresh products such as fruits or vegetables. Many travelers make the mistake of bringing food from their country without knowing that it may be confiscated at customs.

Regarding medications, you can bring them with you as long as they are for personal use. To avoid problems, it is advisable to follow these recommendations:

• Keep them in their original packaging.
• Travel with a prescription or medical report, if possible.
• Transport only the necessary amount for the trip.

Additionally, it is important to consider any limitations that may exist regarding hand luggage, especially concerning medications, liquids, and other products you carry with you in the cabin.

Keep in mind that you will need euros as the local currency

Money on the Camino: how to pay and avoid fees

The use of money during the Camino varies significantly depending on the traveler's origin. Although it is increasingly easier to pay by card, it is advisable to understand how this aspect works to avoid surprises.

European travelers

For those coming from European countries, the use of the euro simplifies the entire process. It is common to pay by card in most establishments and withdraw cash from ATMs without major complications.

Non-European travelers or Europeans outside the eurozone

For travelers from outside Europe or from outside the eurozone, the situation is somewhat different. Your bank may apply currency exchange fees or fees for international payments. Therefore, many pilgrims choose to use prepaid cards designed for travel, which reduce these costs.

In any case, it is advisable to always carry some cash. Although the Camino is well-equipped, there are small towns where card payment may not be available in all establishments.

Pilgrim using their phone on the Camino

Internet and phone on the Camino de Santiago

Connectivity is a key aspect, both for convenience and safety. Being able to communicate during the journey provides peace of mind and facilitates the organization of day-to-day activities.

If you are coming from the European Union

European travelers can use their mobile phones in Spain without major changes, as roaming is included in most tariffs.

If you are coming from outside Europe

For those arriving from outside Europe, it is common to purchase a SIM or eSIM. This avoids the high costs of international roaming and ensures a stable connection during the Camino. Many people opt for the eSIM because it allows activation before arrival. In any case, it is also possible to buy a physical SIM at the airport or in major cities.

Luggage on the Camino: the most common mistake of international travelers

One of the points where there are the most differences between European and non-European travelers is luggage. And, at the same time, it is one of the most frequent mistakes. The Camino de Santiago is designed for walking light, and carrying more weight than necessary is not only uncomfortable but can also affect the experience.

Your backpack will be your main companion on the Camino

During the Camino, you only need a backpack or suitcase with the essentials. Therefore, it is most logical to use the included luggage of up to 15 kilos for what you will really need throughout the trip. In our trips, daily transport of one piece of luggage per person up to 15 kilos is included, whether it is a suitcase or a backpack. Volume is usually not the problem; what matters is not exceeding that weight, as that is the practical reference for moving your luggage from one stage to another comfortably.

For most pilgrims, that luggage of up to 15 kilos is more than enough to do the Camino without complications. The problem mainly arises with some travelers from outside Europe, or those who combine their pilgrimage with a longer trip through other European cities, because they may travel with more than one suitcase or with additional luggage that is heavier than recommended for the day-to-day of the Camino.

Pilgrim walking light

What to do if you are traveling with an additional suitcase or with more luggage than necessary

If you are also traveling with a larger suitcase, with more weight, or with extra luggage intended for the rest of your trip through Europe, it makes no sense to move it every day. In such cases, a highly recommended option is to send that additional luggage from the beginning to the end of the Camino.

This way, you achieve something very important:

• Maintain your daily luggage of up to 15 kilos to walk normally.
• Avoid moving a suitcase every day that you will not use during the stages.
• Recover that extra luggage upon finishing the Camino.

This solution is especially useful if you continue traveling through Europe afterward, as it allows you to separate the practical luggage of the pilgrim from the luggage intended for the rest of your trip.

The luggage transfer is usually carried out in large vans that stop at all the accommodations along the Camino.

How to reach the start of the Camino from your place of origin

The way to get there depends on your starting point and the chosen itinerary:

• From Europe: connections are usually straightforward, with direct flights to Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Vigo, Madrid, Barcelona, Porto, and other well-connected airports.
• From outside Europe: the usual practice is to fly to Madrid, Santiago, or Porto.

Once in Spain or Portugal, you will need to travel to the start of the Camino, whether by plane, train, bus, or a private transfer.

Travel insurance on the Camino: what is already included

As a travel agency in Spain, our trips include a mandatory insurance by law that covers basic assistance during the Camino. If you are coming from the European Union, this insurance is complemented by the European Health Card. If you are coming from outside Europe, the included insurance covers the Camino, although if you continue traveling afterward, it is advisable to also have additional insurance for the rest of the trip.

Safety on the Camino

And you may wonder: is it safe to do the Camino de Santiago? The answer is yes: the Camino de Santiago is a very safe route. Nevertheless, it is advisable to act with common sense. In case of emergency:

• Call 112.
• Use the app AlertCops.

AlertCops

How to organize your Camino from your country without complications

Organizing the Camino from another country may seem complex, but with good planning, everything becomes much simpler. Relying on a specialized agency allows you to travel with the peace of mind of having resolved aspects such as accommodations, luggage transport, assistance during the journey, or practical travel details from the very beginning. You can start planning your route here.