New digital Credential is introduced from the Cathedral.

[alexwalker]

La Catedral de Santiago presenta la Credencial Digital del Peregrino | Catedral de Santiago

catedraldesantiago.es

 

[Lindsay53]

While technology has its place, I would prefer a paper credencial. Nicer to hold and reminisce over, and its a bit hard to frame your phone as a momento!

 

[mspath]

La Catedral de Santiago presenta la Credencial Digital del Peregrino | Catedral de Santiago

catedraldesantiago.es

My goodness; how distant this is from medieval scribes.

 

[BuenC_JamieG]

I much rather the paper credential as well!

 

[WanderingBrian]

Honestly, I don't think people are going to adopt this in any meaningful way. There will always be something about tangible paper.

 

[Kathor1]

I wouldn't be so sure that this app doesn't get adopted in a meaningful way. I had to download the app straight away, of course. A digital credencial costs €1.50. You enter all your personal details that will be required later for your Compostela. All you have to do is scan about 10 sellos when walking the last 100 km through Galicia. This promises to cut down your waiting time and general hassle at the Oficina del Peregrino in Santiago. The digital credencial doesn't have to replace the paper credencial, it complements it. At least that's what they say.

 

[lt56ny]

Digital??? No way give me the paper every time! I know that the Compostela and theCredential are in many senses pieces of paper to some and besides my first ones I am not sure where all the others are. But when I run across one of my tubes with a Compostela and the plastic zip bag with the Credential I always take them out. I love holding it and looking at them. Would never have that experience looking at my phone in the same way.

 

[Marbe2]

i haven’t gone to the office since myfirst camino. I do save the stamped credential....It provides much more information about where and when you walked.

 

[trecile]

I wouldn't be so sure that this app doesn't get adopted in a meaningful way. I had to download the app straight away, of course. A digital credencial costs €1.50. You enter all your personal details that will be required later for your Compostela. All you have to do is scan about 10 sellos when walking the last 100 km through Galicia. This promises to cut down your waiting time and general hassle at the Oficina del Peregrino in Santiago. The digital credencial doesn't have to replace the paper credencial, it complements it. At least that's what they say.

Very sensible response. We should consider the digital credential a complement to, not a replacement for the paper credential.

 

[An Tincéir]

Honestly, I don't think people are going to adopt this in any meaningful way. There will always be something about tangible paper.

It does have some advantages, particularly in reducing the length of the queues in the office in Santiago. Personally I would like both - the paper credential for remembrance and the e-credential for efficiency. It might also be possible to find a way to print out the electronic one, particularly if the “cellos” are colourfully designed.

 

[Dorian Gray]

I'm going to bring both with me next month and see if I can't have a digital and paper record at the end.

 

[C clearly]

We should consider the digital credential a complement to, not a replacement for the paper credential.

Yes, I like the idea of both. If you lose the paper one, at least you have the information.

 

[Old Bamboo]

I'm not against trying new things but paper for me please!

 

[Kanga]

Understandable "no touch" development considering the move to limit transfer of germs. As pay wave credit cards and electronic wallets have almost completely replaced cash (in Australia, I presume it is similar elsewhere). I now go for weeks without putting actual money in my wallet.

We and the camino will adapt. It has always been so.

 

[Kathor1]

As to the system not being adopted in a meaningful way: I don't remember when I had my first CD with digital photos from a trip to Iceland made. This photo CD is about 20 years old now. At the time, I still had photos printed out and clued them into a photo album. I've not been doing this for years now ... I'm not part of the younger digital/smartphone generation ... but I can already feel the attraction of having a collection of sellos on my smartphone. Just holding your phone up for a moment and you've collected yet another one ... I may collect more sellos than when I'm using my treasured paper credential: there I'm a strictly one-sello-per-day and no-Compostela person.

The Spanish Mail Correos has a blog entry with a more detail description of the digital Camino credential app with screenshots. They also mention, in addition to the online platform for booking a bed for the next day at the public albergues in Galicia, a brandnew app/platform called Bookalbergue for booking beds in private albergues in Galicia - on each platform you can only book a bed for today or for tommorrow. This is again a digital project sponsored by the Galician government in the context of the Holy Year 2021-2022. Remember that they expected a record number of 500,000 pilgrims to arrive in Santiago annually during this Holy Year. The Covid-19 pandemic has merely accelerated digital developments that were already underway before.

 

[Anamya]

If Covid is still a big thing in my next camino, I welcome the digital version - less people handling stuff I will carry close to my body. If the pandemic has calmed down, I will probably have both for the reasons stated above: the paper one for memory, the digital one to get out of the line quicker!

 

[lt56ny]

Very sensible response. We should consider the digital credential a complement to, not a replacement for the paper credential.

It may be a sensible response and you can consider it a compliment to the paper and that’s great if you want to use it. In fact it might one day be easier. But I don’t see how it would cut down on waiting time at the pilgrim office. I have never had a volunteer spend more than a couple of seconfds looking at my credential. Someone said good to have a backup if you lose your credential. You could lose your phone as easily.
Bottom line is until it is mandated we can make our own choice. When it comes to COVID I would love if any of our physician/scientist. Pilgrims could shed light on whether it could or would lower transmission of the Virus. My understanding is the chances are minuscule. But do not quote me
Knock your socks off 21st pilgrim people and enjoy your new app.
please pass me the Sello!!!!

 

[Kathor1]

But I don’t see how it would cut down on waiting time at the pilgrim office. I have never had a volunteer spend more than a couple of seconfds looking at my credential.

It's mainly about managing the queues and managing the time it takes for pilgrims from the moment they arrive at the Pilgrim's Office until the time they hold the Compostela in their hands and leave again. This process had already been partly digitalised in the summer of 2019. Since then everyone, smartphone or no smartphone, had to first get a paper ticket with a number and a QR code.

The digital credencial app is just a further step in that direction. And right now they will consider themselves lucky that they had already a system in place that avoids people waiting in large crowds, inside, for long periods of time.

 

[lt56ny]

It's mainly about managing the queues and managing the time it takes for pilgrims from the moment they arrive at the Pilgrim's Office until the time they hold the Compostela in their hands and leave again. This process had already been partly digitalised in the summer of 2019. Since then everyone, smartphone or no smartphone, had to first get a paper ticket with a number and a QR code.

The digital credencial app is just a further step in that direction. And right now they will consider themselves lucky that they had already a system in place that avoids people waiting in large crowds, inside, for long periods of time.

I guess because I do not walk when the Camino is full of pilgrims I do not see what is going on at the office. When I go I don't really have that problem. The luxury of being old! You can go when you want. When I arrived in December of 2019, as I stated in another post. I walked in from Lavacolla and arrived at the Cathedral about 10AM. I was kind of looking forward to checking out the new system just to see how easy it may be. But when I got there I could walk right in. I also was offered and gratefully accepted the lunch at the Parador. Imagine at around 10:30 in the morning they had not given out all the tickets for lunch. Maybe this year, I will be arriving around the same date from Sevilla. Maybe I will get to dine with the kings again at the Parador! The thing I honestly do not get is how it speeds things up as you either have to open your phone or open your credential. Like I said I never had a volunteer in the office spend more than a few seconds looking at my credential before handing it back to me. I can't imagine they can review the stamps on the phone any more quickly. I always walk at least 800k or more and I always have 2 books as I only walk about 20-25k at the most if I can help it. The last time the volunteer opened both books, saw alot of stamps and handed them back. I don't think we spent even 10 seconds on my credential. Maybe I am missing something. It wouldn't be the first time.

 

[maryalex]

I wouldn't be so sure that this app doesn't get adopted in a meaningful way. I had to download the app straight away, of course. A digital credencial costs €1.50. You enter all your personal details that will be required later for your Compostela. All you have to do is scan about 10 sellos when walking the last 100 km through Galicia. This promises to cut down your waiting time and general hassle at the Oficina del Peregrino in Santiago. The digital credencial doesn't have to replace the paper credencial, it complements it. At least that's what they say.

I've downloaded the app and registered everything but I can't get the payment to go through. I keep getting a message that says: ERROR: The store has a filter which does not permit this operation. [Bines by country] Did you have any issues with payment?

 

[Kathor1]

I keep getting a message that says: ERROR: The store has a filter which does not permit this operation. [Bines by country] Did you have any issues with payment?

No, I didn't have any issues. I'm in Europe and used a credit card registered in Europe. I only mention this because I know that there are sometimes problems with online payments for a purchase made in Spain when the credit card is not set-up for a form of secure payment where you have to enter first your card number and the csv code, as usual, but then your are directed to a separate website with an additional step where you have to enter codes generated by your bank. I think all credit cards in Europe are set up for this system but it is not the case in the USA. I'm not explaining this well ... I know. Purchasing the digital credencial requires this two-step payment procedure.

 

[maryalex]

No, I didn't have any issues. I'm in Europe and used a credit card registered in Europe. I only mention this because I know that there are sometimes problems with online payments for a purchase made in Spain when the credit card is not set-up for a form of secure payment where you have to enter first your card number and the csv code, as usual, but then your are directed to a separate website with an additional step where you have to enter codes generated by your bank. I think all credit cards in Europe are set up for this system but it is not the case in the USA. I'm not explaining this well ... I know. Purchasing the digital credencial requires this two-step payment procedure.

Thank you for your quick response. I don't have trouble paying Ivar but there is something more needed for this transaction. I don't leave until September (hopefully), so there is time to figure this out. Thanks again.

 

[trecile]

Thank you for your quick response. I don't have trouble paying Ivar but there is something more needed for this transaction. I don't leave until September (hopefully), so there is time to figure this out. Thanks again.

Can you pay via PayPal? That's what has worked for me when I wasn't able to use my credit card when booking train tickets via the Renfe app.

 

[Kathor1]

The technical term for this 2-layer payment system is 3D Secure or 3DS (for Visa and Mastercard). I remember that Renfe uses it, too, for direct credit card payments. PayPal doesn't seem to require it.

 

[Kathor1]

When you ask for your Compostela you have to fill in a form first. The data on this form have to be entered manually into the Oficina's computer system. They produce their statistics from it. That's 350,000 paper forms per year, up to 3,000 forms on a peak day during the summer months, and I don't know how many hours of work of paid employees or unpaid volunteers. Already last summer, they introduced an online Registro de datos de los peregrinos where pilgrims could fill in their data and request their Compostela and their distance certificate. This is now also integrated into the digital credencial app.

 

[trecile]

When you ask for your Compostela you have to fill in a form first. The data on this form have to be entered manually into the Oficina's computer system. They produce their statistics from it. That's 350,000 paper forms per year, up to 3,000 forms on a peak day during the summer months, and I don't know how many hours of work of paid employees or unpaid volunteers. Already last summer, they introduced an online Registro de datos de los peregrinos where pilgrims could fill in their data and request their Compostela and their distance certificate. This is now also integrated into the digital credencial app.

So using the app is better for the environment, and requires less labor.

 

[Kathor1]

About payment, here is a quote from Rick Steven’s forum which describes the situation I mentioned: For what it’s worth, 3D Secure will become much more common as strong customer authentication becomes mandatory in the EU with the PSD2 directive. In theory, it only applies to EU businesses and EU banks but implementations might vary in practice. Which means that some websites in Spain are designed to distinguish between payments made with EU credit cards and those registered with US banks while other websites don’t make the distinction, and this will cause a problem for some foreign customers. Also, some US banks offer the 3DS option, others don’t. See this link or here.

 

[Kathor1]

So using the app is better for the environment, and requires less labor.

Yes, if you want a Compostela and perhaps also a Distance Certificate and seen from the viewpoint of those who finance, staff and manage the Pilgrims Office in Santiago. And especially during the summer months.

And from the pilgrim's viewpoint, you don't go to the Pilgrims Office to fill in your form; you don't go there to get your ticket with your queuing number, and then either hang around there for hours during peak season until it is your turn or spend time elsewhere, checking online from time to time whether your number is up and it's now time for you to go and pick up your Compostela. With the Credencial app, when you are close enough to Santiago, you get a message with information/instructions and you go to the Office only once to pick up your Compostela (plus Distance Certificate if wanted).

 

[Kathor1]

Some obversations:

Once you have chosen a language (Spanish, Galician or English) when starting the Digital Camino app for the first time, you cannot change it later.

The digital credencial contains the text of the Blessing of the Pilgrim, the Prayer of the Pilgrim to the Apostle, the text about the purpose of the credencial and the rules for obtaining a Compostela, and maps of the main routes in Europe that lead to the Cathedral of Santiago, just like the non-digital credencials.

One difference between digital and non-digital: I would need a magnifying glass to read the details on these maps on a hard copy credencial while on the iPhone or iPad I can simply enlarge with a small movement of my fingers and I clearly see the names of the towns and their distance to Santiago - at least their distance in the eyes of the Oficina/Cathedral. For example, the distance from Lugo to Santiago is indicated as 103 km and the distance from Ferreiros on the CF is fixed as 101 km. That is not only useful to see but it should also settle recurring issues about "official" kilometres raised in numerous threads on the forum.

 

[Kathor1]

And as if on cue, Ivar let us see today what it looks like at the Pilgrims Office. You don't just walk in. You are asked to scan a code which will provide you with a link where you are asked to fill in your data, as a first step to get your Compostela.

 

[pepi]

Thanks for letting us know, @alexwalker. This is something I have waited for since long.
Of course it remains to be seen, that every Albergue/hostel/pension/cafe/bar etc. can electronically communicate with this system, has anyone tried it?
If it works, then it finally should be possible also to have a terminal allowing to pay with ApplePay, etc. Just think of it! An entirely electronic Camino without the hassle of cash, currency, ATM-eating-cards. . Ideally, a pilgrim should have the possibility to simply have printed out his Credencial with all the stamps, perhaps even with the cost of staying and many other possibilities. Please keep this thread open, so that pilgrims can get updated information.

 

[Anniesantiago]

This sort of makes me sad.

 

[Kathor1]

Bear in mind that some comments may be an attempt at satire ... one can never know for sure.

 

[pepi]

This sort of makes me sad.

The convenience of digital vs analog...but the good old sello will remain for the romantic Peregrinos. Digitalization will allow producing very beautiful personalized Credencials that can be framed and hung up, an interesting revenue for those providing the service.

 

[TrvlDad1]

This may be a developing generational issue, and unfortunately, I am from gen P. But will download and use it; the world moves on and, I believe, now belongs to my kids & GKs. And I’m happy for anything that attracts them to history and spirituality.
I will actually miss the happy chaos of queuing up at the pilgrims office with fellow peregrinas/os.

 

[Kathor1]

This, btw, is what it says on the Pilgrim's Office website:

Para recoger la Compostela es necesario retirar un ticket con un código QR que permite comprobar el estado de la fila en tiempo real. (Aviso: en momentos de gran afluencia, no se podrá garantizar la recogida de la Compostela en la misma jornada)​

​

"To obtain your Compostela you must collect a ticket with a QR code that allows you to check your place in the waiting line in real time. Please note: In times of great affluence, we cannot guarantee that you can collect your Compostela on the same day."

This was already the case in the summer of 2019, and it won't go away. It's because there are too many of us at the same time in the same place.

If I were to want a Compostela I would grab the opportunity to register as soon as possible via an app on my smartphone to obtain my waiting line QR code.

 

[VNwalking]

To obtain your Compostela you must collect a ticket with a QR code that allows you to check your place in the waiting line in real time

So, what if you don't have a smartphone?
Seriously. There are such people in the world.

I'm not personally anti tech, but am sad when it prevents some people from full participation. Demanding this discriminates against the elderly, poor, or tech-silent.

Digitalization will allow producing very beautiful personalized Credencials

Without a human touch. No thanks. I prefer the handwriting. And the imperfectly stamped and aligned sellos on my paper credencial. Though I can see the value of digital as a back-up.

 

[Kathor1]

so, what if you don't have a smartphone?

You pull a paper ticket from the machine with a number printed on it and then you stay close by to keep an eye on the screens that have been installed in the Pilgrim's Offices waiting areas, and when your number appears on the screen you go to the counter to get your Compostela. This is how it worked already in 2019.

They had been expecting 500,000 pilgrims with intent to get a Compostela for this year 2021. I have no doubt that they are expecting numbers to reach pre-2020 levels eventually which were as high as 350,000 Compostelas/Certificates in 2019.

And the Holy Year 2027 is already on their horizon.

That they started these digitalisation projects in 2018 or even earlier must appear as a godsend to them now because these tools are a great help for managing crowds of people in Covid-19 times ...

 

[John H.]

Honestly, I don't think people are going to adopt this in any meaningful way. There will always be something about tangible paper.

And the President of IBM once said he saw no use for computers in personal lives.

 

[alexwalker]

And the President of IBM once said he saw no use for computers in personal lives.

And in 1948, he estimated a business market for computers, in Europe, to be max. 6 computers...

 

[trecile]

According to this website, the Digital Credential has more features:

• Through the application you will be able to identify yourself as a pilgrim more quickly along your route and enjoy eventual benefits.
• The QR code that you will obtain when you register, can also be scanned by the other pilgrims. In this way you can share your data and social networks with the new friends you’ll meet along the way and become part of a new community.
• Thanks to the geolocation system, you will be able to connect with the accommodations registered on this platform, even at the end of your trip.
• The application will also work as an audio guide on the Camino. Along your route you will be informed about the history and traditions of the places you will cross. A real help not to miss any interesting places.

 

[Turigrino]

According to this website, the Digital Credential has more features

I don't think the digital credencial has ANY of those features that you listed above @trecile . For now it is just a simple scanner of QR codes of the places you visit. I don't even know if albergues will have those QR codes that you can scan. I will find out soon. Maybe in the future they will be obliged to have them. I tried to scan my Green Covid Certificate QR but unfortunately it doesn't count as a sello I also "started" my Camino Frances today by mistake (still a few days to go) because I touched something on the phone that I shouldn't have

But I didn't get my QR code when I registered I guess all the features listed on that website are plans for the future.

But in general I think a digital credencial is not a bad idea. I can bet it will replace the paper one soon. I don't say I particularly like this upgrade but I am sure it won't take much time to abandon the old one. Handling our paper book by so many random people to get a stamp during the pandemic is not very hygienic.

 

[trecile]

I don't think the digital credencial has ANY of those features that you listed above @trecile .

I was wondering if it actually has those features or if they are simply aspirational.

But in general I think a digital credencial is not a bad idea. I can bet it will replace the paper one soon. I don't say I particularly like this upgrade but I am sure it won't take much time to abandon the old one. Handling our paper book by so many random people to get a stamp during the pandemic is not very hygienic.

I think that it will be useful to use the digital credential along with the paper credential as a souvenir. As @Kathar1na has mentioned, the digital credential saves those working in the Pilgrims Office time and paper.
I really don't think that there is much risk in having people handle the credential, and I imagine that in many places they are having the pilgrims stamp it themselves anyway.

 

[Maryna]

Has anyone already used the credential app on the actual Camino? I'll be doing mine in July and am excited to use the app instead of the paper thing. Honestly, I have no idea where to get the paper credential from, but will probably have it as a back-up once I figure out where to find one. I am just worried that not all the places may have QR codes yet. Not sure what to do in such a case, use the paper credential instead? If someone could share their experience with the app, it would be be great!!

 

[lisaflora]

The Credencial: Pilgrim’s Reception Office

The official Credencial of the Pilgrim’s Office

oficinadelperegrino.com

There's an app for that!!!

But I think the albergue has to digitize their stamp..they can do it at the website link above. Otherwise we are still stuck with manual stamps

 

[Albertagirl]

I have purchased two paper credentials from Yvar and shall be using them everywhere that I stay and in other places in the last 100 k. By the time that I arrive in Santiago in mid-November, I hope that the Pilgrim Office in Santiago will be less busy, as I can only spare one day (two nights) in Santiago. I do not speak the language of this thread and cannot perform any of the functions required in it. My phone might be able to, but I can't.

 

[Annet2020]

Does anyone know if this digital credential can also be used on the Portugues part of the Camino Portugues?
Or only in Spain/Galicia?

 

[willydp]

Hello,
I started last Wednesday (9 sep) in Valença and I am now in Caldas de Reis.
I could only find one digital stamp in Tui.
I saw a lot of QR codes everywhere, but they are ment for other purposes (Instagram, etc...), not the credential.
I will keep my eyes open, but the digital one is useless until now.
I have my paper credential and that is working as business as usual...more then you need everyday.
So stick to the paper one and use the other if you want as extra. Perhaps you have more luck then me to find them.
I will stick to the paper version...
Buen Camino