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Love them or hate them, the selfie is the world's fastest spreading photo-sharing phenomenon.

And now a unique international passport card will allow applicants to submit a selfie taken on their smart phone rather than using the traditional photo booth pictures.

The cards, which will launch in Ireland from mid-July, were announced by Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan, this week.

A prototype of the new Irish Passport Card issued by Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

It will allow holders to fly throughout the 28-nation European Union as well as Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein, leaving their passport at home.

Applicants will be able to apply online or using a smart phone app, with a payment of €35 - around £26, and will be allowed to use a selfie on the card once it meets internationally accepted standards.

This is the first time a self-taken photograph will be accepted on any form of formal identification, and speaking at the launch, Mr Flanagan called the card 'pioneering' .

Applicants will be able to apply using a smart phone app, displayed here by Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan

Selfies - not like those taken by Miley Cyrus (left) and Kim Kardashian (right) will be accepted on Ireland's new international passport cards

'Almost all passports worldwide are produced in the booklet format.This will be the first passport card that will be used for international travel,' he said. 

Applicants must already hold a regular passport and be 18-years-old to apply, and the card will be valid for five years, or however long its holder's normal passport is valid for.