There are several Camino routes in Spain, all finishing in Santiago de Compostela. Assuming you're walking the most popular route, the Camino Frances, you will get by with minimal English. Even if people in villages do not speak English they are so used to pilgrims passing through who don't understand Spanish that they will do their best to understand and assist you. You'll also find plenty of other pilgrims on the route who can help you. Out of politeness it would be a good idea to learn the basics for hello, good day, thank you, please, how much is ... etc. Take an English/Spanish phrase book with you.

If you plan to walk the Camino in late Fall or Winter, be aware that many of the albergues close at this time of year. I don't know if you've done any research on the Camino, but it would be worth checking out a few websites, especially for winter walking. Have a look at the Confraternity of St James http://www.csj.org.uk and MundiCamino http://www.mundicamino.com

US citizens are allowed to stay in Spain, as tourists, for a total of 90 days out of every 180 days. You are not allowed to work during this time and at the end of the 90 days you must leave the Schengen Zone. If you want to stay longer you must apply for a long-stay visa before leaving home. But to get this visa you must prove that you have sufficient money to fund your stay in Spain because, again, you will not be allowed to work.

As others have pointed out, it's not possible to emigrate to Spain and become a citizen. If you go there to walk the Camino, and then stay, you will be considered an illegal alien. Spain has extremely high unemployment at the moment, especially high in your age group, and no employer is going to bother giving a job to an illegal migrant when there are so many Spanish and EU citizens available for the job.

These days it's not possible to move to another country just because you feel like it. Migration is difficult, if not impossible, for most countries and I think you'll find moving to any EU country is impossible for an American citizen unless you have work skills that are in short supply in Europe.

Becoming a citizen of the EU requires first getting a Visa. That has to be done from an Embassy or consulate, usually the one in your home country.

Once you have a visa, you may stay, and you must be a contributing member of their society for something like ten years...that means you have to have a job. A legal one. Keeping in mind that the unemployment in the EU is higher than in the US, in Spain, LEGAL, NATIONALIZED WORKERS are at 20 - 25% unemployment, and unskilled ones, betw. 40 - 50%. They will, if the really need someone, hire someone already a citizen of the EU, because they don't need paperwork, before they would hire someone who needs a visa, so...you'd be low man on the totem pole, just to be hired. If you can't get work, you can't become a citizen. And if you don't know Spanish, you aren't going to get work, anyway.

As for the Camino...you should be fine. Go. Enjoy up to three months there (assuming you are from a country that gets the automatic three month visa upon entering) and then move on.

i would think that you would want to lack only essentials. and i would go to a book store and ask the sales person about the language barriers. i'm sure that he/she could give you the information that you would need. for sure there is some that speak english, but i don't know how much english. and if you stay there you are bound to find people that speak good english, but be prepared for anything. i have no idea of how hard it would be to become a citizen over there. i've never traveled to EU or Spain, or taken the trip that you are going to take so i wouldn't know but can only guess. i envy you i wish i could have traveled the way you are going to do. but i don't like flying, so EU and Spain would have been out for me. i always wanted to go to Australia, but how am i going to get there if i don't fly?!! right? i'm sorry i couldn't help you more, the length of my travels has been in the USA and on tv. have a great trip and God bless.

You have plenty of time to get some CD's and learn basic phrases in Spanish. You do not need to be fluent. It is absolutely impossible for an American to immigrate to any European Union country. E.U. rules prohibit non-Europeans from getting a work visa...therefore you cannot get a residence visa. Becoming a citizen only happens after living in a European country legally for several years. Yes, it is as hard as getting American citizenship...unless you can qualify as a refugee or are a citizen of another E. U. country. The only exception would be if you are fantastically educated, skilled, and experienced in a job that none of the unemployed 130 million Europeans can do.

Check out the weather on the web for the time you plan to go and dress accordingly. Note the minimum temp & rainfall.

Language. Take a Berlitz phrase book (NOT the Mexican one). Most foreigners in Spain speak some English.

hi i live in spain and my blind uncle has done it ( the camino de santiago de compostella) and he dint know any spanish or maybe a little i hope you enyoi the big walk !! :)

If you stay you will be an illegal and will be deported

I have been backpacking for a bit here in the US, and although I am only 20, I am not ignorant about the "obvious."

I plan on leaving for the Camino de Santiago in Spain after I come back from the Pacific Crest Trail this summer/fall/winter.

Should I prepare for the ultimate language barrier or will there be enough people speaking english as well as spanish that I could get help and learn from?

If I plan on staying there, how hard is it to become a citizen of the EU or Spain? (not sure how that works..) I couldn't imagine it being more difficult than the process to get an American Citizenship...

Thanks!