National identity cards are issued to their citizens by the governments of most European Economic Area (EEA) member states, the exceptions are Denmark and Ireland. Ireland however issues a passport card which is a valid document in the EEA and Switzerland.

Ireland does not issue a "National Identity Card" in the traditional sense like many other EU countries (e.g., France or Germany); instead, it provides an equivalent called the Irish Passport Card. This is a voluntary, credit-card-sized travel document available only to Irish citizens who already hold a valid, standard passport book. It allows you to travel throughout the European Union, the EEA (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway), Switzerland, and the United Kingdom without needing to carry your bulky passport book. It is highly convenient for frequent travelers and serves as a robust form of identification for age verification or domestic services. As of 2026, the card is valid for five years (or until your passport book expires) and can be easily managed via the Department of Foreign Affairs website, providing a "pocket-sized" alternative to international travel documentation within the designated regions.