Irish passport card vs passport book: benefits, differences and uses
Can I travel with just my Irish passport card? If you are deciding whether the passport card is enough for your trip or whether you need the passport book, it helps to know how they differ. In this article, we explain their main uses, advantages, and where each document is accepted.
Table of contents
- What is the purpose of an Irish passport card?
- Difference between an Irish passport book and a card
- What countries accept the Irish passport card?
- Benefits of the Irish passport card: uses and advantages
- How to obtain an Irish passport card?
- Get a photo for an Irish passport card application online!
- How much does an Irish passport card cost?
- FAQ
What is the purpose of an Irish passport card?
The Irish passport card gives Irish citizens a compact, wallet-sized travel document for short trips within the EU, EEA, Switzerland, and the UK. It allows you to travel without carrying the full passport booklet on eligible routes. However, it does not replace the passport book for worldwide travel. Here, you’ll learn what it includes and when it can be used.
The card mirrors the standard EU format for national ID cards, acting as Ireland's version. It features:
- your photo;
- your signature;
- a microchip (SealCrypt strip) with biometric data;
- the same entry rights as a passport book for the EU/EEA/CH/UK.
Practical use: Ideal for short trips where carrying the passport book is inconvenient. Serves as a backup if your passport book is unavailable, such as being held at an embassy. The card is valid for up to 5 years, or until your passport book expires, whichever comes first.
Difference between an Irish passport book and a card
The main difference between the Irish passport book and passport card lies in their intended use. The table below explains the key distinctions you need to know before choosing between the two.
| Irish passport book | Irish passport card | |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Standard booklet (34-66 pages) | Credit card-sized with a SealCrypt strip |
| Global travel | Yes: Valid for all countries worldwide | No: Only for EU, EEA, Switzerland, and the UK |
| Validity | 10 years | 5 years or until the book expires |
| Cost (Standalone) | €75 for a Standard 34-page 10-year book; €105 for a Large 66-page 10-year book | €35 (5-year card) |
| Application | Online or through the post office | Online only |
In short, the passport book is essential for travel outside Europe. The passport card is a convenient backup and form of identification for travel within the EU, but it cannot fully replace the book.
What countries accept the Irish passport card?
The passport card is accepted for travel to specific destinations, making it essential to verify its recognition before your trip. Acceptance depends on the border regulations of the destination country and whether they allow card-based entry for Irish citizens. Here, you’ll learn which countries accept it and where a passport book is still required.
The Irish passport card is valid in all EU Member States, including the EEA (Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway), Switzerland, and the UK. National authorities in these areas recognise it as a valid travel document.
Here's the full list of countries where you can use the Irish passport card: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.
Can I travel to the Canary Islands with my Irish passport card? Yes. The Canary Islands are part of Spain, so they fall within the EU. Because the Irish passport card is valid for travel to EU countries, you can use it for travel there without carrying your passport book.
Practical travel tips:
- Airline protocols: Verify with your airline regarding passport card acceptance. While the card is valid for entry, airline check-in systems vary. For instance, Aer Lingus has had issues with online check-in using the Irish passport card, necessitating airport check-ins. Ryanair typically accepts it for online check-ins within Europe.
- Card limitations: The passport card is not suitable for travel outside the EU, EEA, Switzerland, and the UK, such as to the US or Australia. Additionally, you must hold a valid Irish passport book to qualify for a passport card.
- E-gate use: The Irish passport card cannot be used at the UK's e-gates. Its use at e-gates in other European airports depends on local infrastructure, and manual checks by border officials may be required.
Benefits of the Irish passport card: uses and advantages
Is it worth getting an Irish passport card? Yes, especially if you travel frequently within Europe or between Ireland and the UK. For short trips and everyday identification, the Irish passport card can be a convenient alternative to carrying the full passport booklet. Below, we explain when it is most useful and what advantages it offers.
What does an Irish passport card do? It serves as a travel and identity document in a convenient card format. You can use it:
- for travel within the EU, EEA, Switzerland, and the Common Travel Area, with certain non-EEA countries also accepting it;
- as a backup travel document when your passport book is temporarily unavailable, for example, during a visa application;
- as proof of Irish citizenship and identity in a convenient wallet-sized format.
Key advantages:
- smaller and easier to carry than a standard passport book;
- accepted for air travel within approved regions, not only for land or sea travel;
- useful for frequent travellers who want a second valid travel document;
- reduces the need to carry the full passport booklet on short journeys;
- valid for up to 5 years, or until the linked passport book expires, whichever comes first.
How to obtain an Irish passport card?
You can only apply for an Irish passport card online through the official Passport Online service. Because the card works as a companion document, you must already have a valid Irish passport book or apply for both at the same time. Below, we explain what you need and how the process works step by step.
- Before you start, make sure you are at least 18 years old and hold a valid Irish passport book.
- Prepare the following:
- your current Irish passport book;
- a digital photo that meets the official photo requirements;
- a valid email address;
- a credit or debit card for payment.
- Go to the official Passport Online portal and complete the application form. The process usually takes around 10 minutes.
- Pay the required fee and upload any requested photo or supporting documents.
- Once you submit the application, you will receive an 11-digit tracking number, which you can use to check the status of your application online.
Important: when checking in for a flight, always enter the passport card number, not the number from your passport book.
Get a photo for an Irish passport card application online!
With modern online photo tools, getting a high-quality document photo is quick and simple. Using Visafoto, a trusted passport photo editing service, you only need to complete two easy steps:
- Upload a photo taken in natural daylight to the Visafoto tool below.
- Select the country and document type (for example: Ireland, passport).
Once that’s done, Visafoto takes care of the rest. The tool automatically adjusts the background, image size, head position, and proportions to match the official Irish passport photo standards. You will receive a digital version for online submission as well as a print-ready file.
Example of the photo you can upload to Visafoto:
Result after Visafoto processing:
With a 99.7% acceptance rate and more than 1,000,000 approved photos, Visafoto helps ensure that your image meets official requirements. If the photo is rejected, we offer a full refund, and our customer support is available 24/7.
How much does an Irish passport card cost?
The total fee depends on whether you apply for the card alone or as part of a combined application with a passport book. Costs may also vary depending on the service type and renewal option selected. Read on to learn what fees apply and what is included in the price.
Current fees:
- Passport card only: €35.
- Standard 34-page 10-year passport + passport card: €100.
- Large 66-page 10-year passport + passport card: €130.
- 5-year child passport + passport card (under 18): €45.
If you choose the urgent appointment service at the public offices in Dublin or Cork, additional charges apply:
- Same-day processing: €150.
- Processing within four working days: €75.
Extra delivery charges may also apply in some cases:
- €5 postal fee for each child's application to cover document return.
- €15 postal fee for applications submitted from outside Ireland.
- €15 single delivery fee for child applications from abroad.
For the latest official prices, check the Passport Fees page on Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs website.
Accepted payment methods: You can pay online by credit or debit card. The service accepts Visa, MasterCard, Diners Club International, and American Express.
FAQ
Can you use an Irish passport card to enter the UK?
Yes. Irish citizens can use a valid Irish passport card to travel to and enter the UK, including flights between Ireland and the UK. Airlines such as Ryanair and EasyJet generally accept it on these routes, provided the card is valid and presented at check-in or boarding.
Can I use my Irish passport card to fly?
Yes, as long as you are travelling on a route where the card is accepted. Always carry the physical card, as airlines will require the original photo ID at check-in and boarding. A photo or a copy is not sufficient.
Do low-costers like Ryanair or EasyJet accept Irish passport cards?
Yes, in most cases they do, especially on flights within the EU, the UK, and other eligible destinations. However, route-specific rules and staff checks can vary, so it is best to confirm the accepted travel documents before departure.
Where can an Irish passport card be used?
The card is mainly valid for travel within the EU, EEA, Switzerland, the UK, and the Common Travel Area. Some additional countries may also accept it, but for long-haul travel outside these regions, you should use your passport book.
How long does an Irish passport card take to arrive?
Processing times vary depending on demand and the type of application. Online renewals are usually faster, while some services quote up to 6–8 weeks, so it is best to apply well before your travel date.