The new–style passport card is now open for online applications at a cost of €35. You must already hold a passport to apply however. It’ll allow bearers to travel using it alone to anywhere in the EU – plus three countries in the European Economic Area (Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway) – and is valid for five years. If you’re travelling anywhere else you’ll still need your old passport however.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan has described the new card as a “significant innovation”.
“I am particularly proud that we are one of the very first countries in the world to introduce such a passport card,” he said.
You can apply for the new card here, or via a mobile app (iOS / Android) designed specifically for the process (and by that we mean you can submit a selfie as your photo).