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Irish Passport Card

tpmchugh

Veteran Member
Time of past OR future Camino
2018
This obviously for Irish pilgrims only. Has anyone used the new format credit card type Irish passport for travelling to Europe and along the Camino. I recently had some difficulty explaining what it was when entering Spain at Barcelona. Fortunately I had my book with me so problem averted. I fly into Bilbao from Dublin 29th August and had planned to leave my passport book behind in Belfast. Would hate to arrive at airport check in to find I cant board without the book.
 
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I guess you could get an American Express Credit Card. Then you'd have identification that isn't recognized and a means to pay for things that isn't accepted anywhere.
 
It would probably be best to continue with the belt and braces approach and take both. Present the card, if nothing else you'll be paving the way for those who'll use one later, and if it's not accepted the book will be.
I should add that I've just got the old version, the small book.
 
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Hi TP, The new card is not fully known about yet throughout Europe. I know of a few incidents where the authorities refused to accept it as they had no knowledge of its existance. This was in France and I'm sure Spain would be similar. Best to take both for the moment which kinda defeats the purpose but what can you do.
Buen Camino.
 
We have the same kind of i.d. card in Holland aswell . Only for use in Europe.
When you never travel outside Europe you can take the id card, it's cheaper than a pasport.
Wish you well, Peter.
 
Spain has an ID card that look similar. That would make it easier for them to "understand" what it is. But the spanish card is an ID card, not passport. Spaniard's can travel all over Europe with this card where passport is not required. They have had it for many years, so it is well known.
 
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@tpmchugh @Stephen @wayfarer I have used it throughout this year. I went to Spain, arriving in Asturias airport in May and came back through Santiago. I have been backwards and forwards to UK - Liverpool, Stansted, Gatwick with it. No problems anywhere, certainly never in hotels or albergues (on Primitivo). Have not brought full passport anywhere (in Europe) with me this year. The only person who looked at it a bit strangely once was an Easyjet person, who was nice about it and asked her friend who reassured her. I like being able to use it and leave passport at home. *If* I were to lose it while travelling, I could have passport sent out to me. No problem with Ryanair or Aer Lingus. I can see no point in bringing card AND passport. Seems to defeat the object. There was a bit of a psychological hurdle the first time I did it!!
 
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tpmchugh said:
That was useful
Click to expand...
Maybe not really "useful" but I am sorry it was comical (to me). If you bring a copy of the "information page" from your normal passport would that help with this new Irish Card?? Good luck!
 
Thanks for that, gives me a bit more confidence. I have used it with BA with no problem. Used it going through English immigration at Belfast airport, no problem. I have however had three problems using it. As I said before, an official at Barcelona was not happy with it. I used it for ID to vote in our elections and was turned away. Has to have a chip they said, it does I said but you accepted my friends old British passport and it does not have a chip. Still would not let me vote. The best one was when I produced it as my passport to apply for a new driving licence in Belfast. The official refused it and he was a Dubliner, had never heard of it. It was however the Barcelona incident that made me start worrying about arriving in Bilbao. Will leave the book at home. If however I get turned away Timr I will look for you, I will find you etc haha Thanks again
 
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I applied for it as i felt it would be lighter to carry than the passport book and also handy to have in my wallet. I had no problem with it in the airport or anywhere else since i'm glad to report.
 
I've had mine for almost a year now and haven't had any problems entering Spain with it. The only time there was a question asked was at the Albergue in Pamplona at check in. They had not seen one before and we're looking for the normal passport after a short discussion were happy with it.
 
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I came back home from Spain this week and did get asked at passport control why i only had a two year period on my passport card. I did have to try explain in very poor spanish that the passport card is linked to your main passport & I only had two years left on this. He seemed happy enough with this but was shocked to hear how much it cost for the passport card in comparison to Spain. I used this as another opportunity to tell him how much cheaper coffee, wine, food, accommodation were in Spain than in Ireland. Best chat i've ever had at passport control!!!!
 
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Heading off in Mid Sept and will use new card, also going to Switz on way back. Will post here when I return In Oct.
 
Meant to reply to this earlier. Used it on the Primitivo in Sept and then on to Switzerland, no problems anywhere. I used the following Airports, Dublin, Santander, Santiago de Compostella, Zurich, Geneva.
 
I always use the Irish passport. Never anything else. Total peace of mind as I know that it's accepted everywhere.
 
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