Using Irish passport card for travel from UK to EU

Mtoto

Hello, I'm in need of assistance/reassurance!

I live in the UK & I've got British and Irish passports but both are currently somewhere in the depths of the US Embassy in London while I get a visa renewed. I'm also booked to fly to Athens on holiday on 3 September. 

That's a while away yet but there's no sign from the Embassy that anything's happening quickly and I just wanted to check whether anyone has travelled from UK to Greece with just an Irish passport card?

It should be possible according to the Irish Govt website, but that's referring in particular to travel from Ireland to the rest of the EU, and I'm keen for reassurance that I'll be able to travel in just over five weeks' time if my paper passports have not returned. Or if it's not possible to travel with only the card, at least it gives me time to chase up the Americans. 

Thanks in anticipation!

Caz3121

Timatic (used by airlines) shows for Irish passport holder travelling to Greece

Passport required.

Passport Exemptions:

Nationals of Ireland (Rep.) with a passport card.

Document Validity:

Passports and other documents accepted for entry issued to nationals of Ireland (Rep.) must be valid on arrival.

NoodleDoodleMan

Have you asked your airline - they should be able to clarify ?

Mind you, having read some of the tales of woe hereabouts - not all carriers appear to be clued up for "without fear of contradiction" advice.

samtaylor99

As a UK resident with the same passports as you, I haven't used my 'paper' passports in 5 years on approx 30 flights between  Spain/UK. On 2 or 3 occasions the gate staff have queried the passport card and phoned their supervisor but it's always been an OK response and I have boarded without further hindrance. They confuse it with an identity card sometimes, but if you point to the 'Passport Card' bit written on the card they are happy for you to proceed. Should be the same for Greece as they are both in the Schengen area. The only problem you will have is on return to the UK where the electronic passport control booths cannot read the cards and you will need to see a 'real'  Border Force Officer.

Mtoto

Thanks both for replies, & that's good to hear!