Policy regarding EU country ID cards

ztoical

Sorry Mods if this is the wrong forum but couldn't think were else was good.

Does anyone know if there is a policy in Ireland with regard to accepting EU id cards? I know there is a policy with regard to traveling with them but someone posted in the learning to drive forum about applying for their learners permit. They don't have a valid passport, traveling here on their ID card and the Motor Tax office refused to accept the ID card in place of a passport.

Given that Ireland does not issue ID cards can people refuse to use them in place of a passport when a passport is required for something other then travel? I can't really think of any other situation where you would need to present a passport but in the example above is the Motor Tax office correct or are they wrong and they legally should accept valid EU ID cards? I mean we signed on for the freedom of travel and allowing EU citizens to travel here using valid ID cards and that is an EU wide policy/law/whatever it's called but in matters relating to just Irish law and not EU law is there anything written down or is it one of those gray area type things.

View

They could try SOLVIT.They might be able to help although I am not sure it really falls within their remit.

Scofflaw

Moved to TalktoEU.

moderately,
Scofflaw

Bogger77

From what I recall, the Schengen agreement doesn't cover Ireland or UK, a person from any state other than Ireland or UK would need to have a passport with them, just the same as we need a passport travelling to France, Germany, Switzerland etc. A French ID card is not valid identity document in the Republic of Ireland or UK, a guard would require a valid passport. From the motor tax offices point of view, no passport means that the person shouldn't be in the state, or hasn't entered the state legally, although I'm not sure how you can enter the State without passport, unless when travelling from UK, and I do recall mainland Europe to UK immigration checks being watertight at Calais.

ztoical

Bogger77 wrote: »

From what I recall, the Schengen agreement doesn't cover Ireland or UK, a person from any state other than Ireland or UK would need to have a passport with them, just the same as we need a passport travelling to France, Germany, Switzerland etc. A French ID card is not valid identity document in the Republic of Ireland or UK, a guard would require a valid passport. From the motor tax offices point of view, no passport means that the person shouldn't be in the state, or hasn't entered the state legally, although I'm not sure how you can enter the State without passport, unless when travelling from UK, and I do recall mainland Europe to UK immigration checks being watertight at Calais.

Schengen doesn't cover Ireland no as we have a common travel area with the UK but this is an EU agreement not Schengen, you can enter another EU country just be showing your passport OR valid EU ID card as all you need to do to enter another EU country is to show your an EU citizen and ID cards are accepted forums of ID for this, it's just not something we are much aware of here as Ireland does not issue ID cards. My friend in Spain travels to the UK without a passport at least once a year. Within the European Union, identity cards meeting a European standard can be used by European citizens as a travel document in place of a passport.

TalkToEU: John

ztoical wrote: »

Sorry Mods if this is the wrong forum but couldn't think were else was good.

Does anyone know if there is a policy in Ireland with regard to accepting EU id cards? I know there is a policy with regard to traveling with them but someone posted in the learning to drive forum about applying for their learners permit. They don't have a valid passport, traveling here on their ID card and the Motor Tax office refused to accept the ID card in place of a passport.

Given that Ireland does not issue ID cards can people refuse to use them in place of a passport when a passport is required for something other then travel? I can't really think of any other situation where you would need to present a passport but in the example above is the Motor Tax office correct or are they wrong and they legally should accept valid EU ID cards? I mean we signed on for the freedom of travel and allowing EU citizens to travel here using valid ID cards and that is an EU wide policy/law/whatever it's called but in matters relating to just Irish law and not EU law is there anything written down or is it one of those gray area type things.

Hi ztoical


Teams members have been on annual leave.
Apologies for the delay and we'll have your questions answered shortly.

TalkToEU: John

ztoical wrote: »

Sorry Mods if this is the wrong forum but couldn't think were else was good.

Does anyone know if there is a policy in Ireland with regard to accepting EU id cards? I know there is a policy with regard to traveling with them but someone posted in the learning to drive forum about applying for their learners permit. They don't have a valid passport, traveling here on their ID card and the Motor Tax office refused to accept the ID card in place of a passport.

Given that Ireland does not issue ID cards can people refuse to use them in place of a passport when a passport is required for something other then travel? I can't really think of any other situation where you would need to present a passport but in the example above is the Motor Tax office correct or are they wrong and they legally should accept valid EU ID cards? I mean we signed on for the freedom of travel and allowing EU citizens to travel here using valid ID cards and that is an EU wide policy/law/whatever it's called but in matters relating to just Irish law and not EU law is there anything written down or is it one of those gray area type things.

Hi ztoical,

In relation to the acceptance of EU approved identity cards in place of a passport while traveling between member states, this relates to EU directive 2004/38/EC :Right of Union citizens and their family members to move and reside freely within the territory of the Member States

This only relates to travel and residency matters and sets out that a valid form of ID card is accepted to prove EU citizenship and avail of the rights set out above. A valid ID card must meet strict EU criteria and contains much of the same information as a passport in terms of identity.

We are not aware of any legislation specifically stating that an EU approved ID card can be accepted in place of a passport in issues not relating the EU directive above. It is a valid form of identification though, so there's no reason why it shouldn't be accepted as proof of identity where required.

In the case of the Motor Taxation Office question (which was resolved using an old passport) perhaps it was a case of the staff member following standard procedure by the book and requiring a passport.