Documents and Cards

[Covey]

Walking the Camino requires you to carry identity documents and cards so you can draw money from ATM's, as well as insurance documents.

You need your National Passport so you can get in and out of France/Spain and your Pilgrim Passport so you can sleep in the Albergues along the Way.

Your National Passport/Identity Card should be carried on your person at all times and NOT kept in your rucksack. I always keep mine wrapped up in a plastic self sealing food bag in my trouser map pocket, along with my Pilgrim Passport. You will need to show your Pilgrim Passport (and occasionally your National Passport) to check in to any Albergue. Make sure you get the Pilgrim Passport stamped when you check in. Even the best hotels in Burgos & Leon etc will have a stamp to put in your Pilgrim Passport!!

You should always carry TWO cash cards which will allow you to draw cash from ATM's. If arriving in France/Spain from the USA/Canada, make sure you have told your bank where you are going and for how long and stick a piece of paper in your National Passport with the card numbers and international dial phone numbers for your banks customer help desk, and any reference numbers/contact details you have for your advising the bank that you were going abroad.

If you are a resident of the EC, then you should carry your European Health Insurance Card which you obtain from your health service at home. This will cover the costs of receiving treatment to the same level as at home. It does NOT cover the cost of repatriation or an air ambulance!!

The cost of travel insurance within the EC is cheap, so it is advisable to purchase full Travel Insurance as well as carrying your Health Insurance Card to cover the non medical aspects of your trip. Be aware that most "off the shelf" travel policies only cover a single trip of up to 28 days. If you are walking the Camino Frances from St Jean to Finesterre, you will be away for up to 8 weeks.

If you arrive from outside the EC you should purchase travel insurance to cover any medical costs and the costs of being returned home. Keep a copy of the policy number and contact details in your National Passport and make sure that your Next of Kin/ Best Friend at Home also has a copy.

[Oak Hill Walkers]

Spot on advice! Make it a sticky.