It is one of the first things people ask before booking: what documents do I need to rent a bike on the Camino de Santiago? The honest answer is: fewer than you think. With Bicigrino you do not hand over your passport, you do not need a driving licence, even for an e-bike, and there is nothing to print. Here is exactly what we ask for, what we do not, and the papers you will want for the trip itself.
The short answer
| Document | Needed to rent? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Passport or ID card | No | We never ask for it, or for a copy |
| Driving licence | No | Not for regular bikes and not for e-bikes |
| Booking confirmation | Yes | Your name and booking number are enough at pick-up |
| Deposit | Yes | €200 per bike, paid online by card and refunded after the return |
| Insurance | Optional | Bicigrino Asistencia Total covers breakdowns of the bike |
| Pilgrim credential | Only for the Compostela | Included with every rental |
| Printed voucher | No | Nothing to print |
What we ask for: a booking and a deposit
The whole process takes place online, before you travel:
- Book and pay the rental on our booking calendar. You choose the bike, the size, the start date and the pick-up point, and you receive a confirmation with your booking number.
- Pay the deposit through its own link: €200 per bike, by card. It only secures the return of the bike, and it goes back to the same card between 1 and 10 days after you leave the bike in Santiago.
- Collect the bike at your starting point by giving your name and booking number.
That is all. The deposit is always paid through the website, never by bank transfer, because that is what lets us refund it as a simple reversal of the same payment. If you travel in a group, each rider can pay their own deposit.
What we do not ask for
- Passport or ID card. You do not leave it with us and we do not need a scan of it.
- Driving licence. Not required for any bike in our fleet.
- A printed voucher. The partner shop already has your booking.
- Payment at the shop. Rental and deposit are settled online, so the handover is about adjusting the bike, not paperwork.
E-bikes: no licence, no registration, no motor insurance
This surprises many visitors from outside Europe. Under Spanish traffic law, which follows the EU rules, a pedal-assist bike is a bicycle as long as the motor is 250 W at most, only helps while you pedal and cuts out at 25 km/h. Every e-bike we rent meets that definition. So you ride it with the same rules as a normal bike: no driving licence, no number plate, no compulsory insurance. The same applies in Portugal.
Documents you will want for the trip itself
Renting the bike needs no ID, but the journey does:
- Passport or national ID. Hotels, hostels and pilgrim albergues in Spain register every guest with an identity document, so carry it with you on the bike.
- Health cover. A European Health Insurance Card if you have one, or travel insurance that includes cycling. Our assistance cover is for the bike, not for you.
- The pilgrim credential. It is what gives you access to pilgrim albergues and to the Compostela.
The pilgrim credential and the Compostela
The credential is the only document the Camino itself asks of you. To receive the Compostela by bicycle, the Pilgrim’s Office requires the last 200 km into Santiago, with the credential stamped at the start and end of each stage. We include the credential with every rental and hand it over with the bike, so you can get your first stamp the day you set off. If you are riding an e-bike, read what the Compostela rule really says about e-bikes.
What the law asks of you on the road
No paperwork here, but two rules worth knowing. Spanish traffic law requires cyclists to wear a helmet on roads outside towns, and to use lights when riding at night or through tunnels. Helmets and lights are not included in the rental, for hygiene and fit reasons, so bring your own or buy them at the pick-up shop.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a passport or ID to rent a bike on the Camino de Santiago?
Not with Bicigrino. We do not ask for a passport, a national ID card or a copy of either. The rental is booked and paid online, and the booking itself identifies you.
Do I need a driving licence to rent an e-bike in Spain?
No. A pedal-assist e-bike with a 250 W motor that stops helping at 25 km/h is legally a bicycle in Spain and Portugal. It needs no driving licence, no registration plate and no motor insurance.
What do I have to show when I collect the bike?
Your name and your booking number. There is no voucher to print and nothing to pay at the shop, because the rental and the deposit are both paid online beforehand.
How do I pay the deposit?
Online, by card, through the deposit link you receive with your booking. It is €200 per bike and it is refunded to the same card between 1 and 10 days after you return the bike in Santiago. We do not take deposits by bank transfer.
Is the pilgrim credential included with the rental?
Yes. We include the pilgrim credential and hand it over with the bike at the pick-up point. You need it stamped along the way to collect the Compostela in Santiago.
Is there a minimum age to rent a bike?
What limits younger riders is frame size: our smallest size, S, fits riders from about 160 cm. If you are travelling with a minor, write to us before booking so we can confirm the right bike.
Do I need insurance to rent a bike for the Camino?
No insurance is compulsory. Our Bicigrino Asistencia Total cover is optional and deals with breakdowns of the bike. It is not personal insurance, so keep your own travel and health cover.
Next step
Documents are the easy part. For prices, bikes, pick-up cities, insurance and cancellation, see our complete guide to Camino de Santiago bike rental, or go straight to the rates. If anything is unclear, WhatsApp us on +34 627 92 82 13 or write to caminosantiagobike@gmail.com.
