Why Upload Here Instead of Editing Manually
Getting a Bulgarian biometric photo right by hand means measuring millimetres, matching background shades, and exporting at the correct resolution. The maker does all of that for you the moment you upload.
Automatic crop
Your face is detected and cropped to the exact 35 × 45 mm frame instantly.
Biometric framing
Head height and eye line are aligned to МВР and ICAO positioning rules.
Correct dimensions
Output is locked to 35 × 45 mm at print-ready 300 DPI, no guesswork.
Correct background
Busy backgrounds are replaced with a clean, uniform light background.
Printable photo sheet
Download a 10 × 15 cm sheet with multiple copies ready for the lab.
No Photoshop required
No editing skills, plugins, or installs, everything runs in your browser.
On This Page
Bulgarian Passport Photo Requirements
These specifications apply to the standard Bulgarian international passport (международен паспорт) issued by the Ministry of Interior.
| Requirement | Bulgaria specification |
|---|---|
| Photo size | 35 × 45 mm |
| Width | 35 mm |
| Height | 45 mm |
| Background | Plain, uniform light grey or white, no patterns or shadows |
| Head size | 32–36 mm from chin to crown (about 70–80% of photo height) |
| Resolution | 300 DPI minimum for print (600 DPI recommended); around 413 × 531 px for digital |
| File format | JPEG, PNG or WebP for digital; matte or glossy photo paper for print |
| Glasses rules | Only if eyes are fully visible, no glare, no tinted lenses, frames must not cover the eyes |
| Expression rules | Neutral, mouth closed, both eyes open, looking straight at the camera |
| Photo age | Taken within the last 6 months and reflecting your current appearance |
| Digital submission rules | Biometric image usually captured on-site at МВР; ICAO-compliant digital photos are used for visas and consular e-services |
Ministry of Interior: Bulgaria's Passport Authority
Bulgarian international passports are issued by the Ministry of Interior (Министерство на вътрешните работи, МВР) through its regional directorates (ОДМВР across the country, and СДВР in Sofia). Since March 2010, Bulgaria has issued biometric passports that store a facial image and fingerprints on a secure chip, in line with EU and ICAO standards.
Because the document is biometric, the photograph is not a formality, it is machine-read at borders. That is why МВР applies the 35 × 45 mm framing so strictly, and why a picture that looks fine to the eye can still fail an automated check.
How Bulgarian Passport Applications Work
Applications are submitted in person at an МВР regional directorate. The typical flow looks like this:
- Visit your local ОДМВР/СДВР office (an appointment or the online portal can speed things up).
- Present your Bulgarian identity card and pay the state fee for the passport.
- Staff capture your photograph and fingerprints on-site for the chip.
- Collect the finished passport, standard processing is around 30 days, with faster express options available.
Even though МВР photographs applicants at the counter, a compliant 35 × 45 mm photo is still widely needed for visa files, national ID renewals, student and residence documents, and for Bulgarian citizens applying through consulates abroad.
Bulgaria-Specific Passport Photo Rules
Beyond the raw dimensions, the Ministry of Interior expects each photo to meet these points:
- Framing: face centred and squarely facing the camera, 32–36 mm from chin to crown.
- Expression: neutral, mouth closed, natural eyes open, no smile.
- Background: single light grey or white tone, evenly lit with no cast shadows.
- Head coverings: not permitted, except for religious or medical reasons, and the full face from chin to forehead must still be visible.
- Lighting: even illumination, no red-eye, no reflections, no hotspots on the skin.
- Currency: taken within the last six months so it matches how you look now.
Child Passport Photo Requirements in Bulgaria
Children in Bulgaria need their own passport and their own photo, the same 35 × 45 mm format applies. A few allowances are made for younger children:
- No dummies, toys, or bottles in the frame.
- No other person, hands, or supporting arms visible in the shot.
- The child should look at the camera with a neutral expression where possible.
- For infants who cannot sit up, lay them on a plain white sheet and photograph from directly above.
- Eyes should be open, though some tolerance is given for newborns.
Minors apply through a parent or legal guardian, who must consent and be present at the МВР office.
Bulgarian Passport Renewal: Photo Rules
Renewing a Bulgarian passport is treated as a fresh application, so you cannot reuse the photo from your previous document. A new, recent photograph is required, and this matters even more if your appearance has changed since the last issue, for example a new hairstyle, weight change, or the growth or removal of a beard.
The 35 × 45 mm biometric standard is identical for first-time and renewal applicants. Upload a current photo and the maker will format it to the same specification МВР expects at renewal.
Digital & Biometric Submission in Bulgaria
For the passport itself, МВР records your biometric image directly at the office, so you rarely upload a photo for that step. Digital photos come into play for connected services:
- Visa applications that ask for a digital 35 × 45 mm ICAO photo.
- Consular e-services used by Bulgarians living abroad.
- Related national documents and online portals that accept an uploaded image.
When a digital file is required, keep it in JPEG, aim for roughly 413 × 531 pixels at 300 DPI (or 827 × 1063 px at 600 DPI), on a light background, within any stated file-size limit. The maker exports at these dimensions automatically.
Can I Take My Bulgaria Passport Photo at Home?
Yes. A modern phone plus this maker is enough for a compliant result, if you set the shot up correctly.
Camera
Use the rear camera at full resolution. Avoid the front selfie camera, which distorts facial proportions up close.
Lighting
Face a window with soft, even daylight. Keep light in front of you, not behind, to avoid shadows and a dark face.
Background
Stand about 40–50 cm from a plain, light-coloured wall so no shadow falls behind your head. The maker can also replace it.
Distance from camera
Have someone shoot from roughly 1.5–2 metres and let the maker crop, rather than zooming or moving in close.
Printing
Print on photo paper at true 35 × 45 mm, or download the 10 × 15 cm sheet and use a photo lab or kiosk.
Common mistakes
Selfies taken too close, uneven wall lighting, wearing white against a white wall, and heavy phone "beauty" filters that alter your features.
Bulgaria vs United States Passport Photo
The two standards differ in more than just size, which is why a US-style photo will not pass for a Bulgarian passport.
| Feature | Bulgaria | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Photo size | 35 × 45 mm | 51 × 51 mm (2 × 2 in) |
| Shape | Rectangular (portrait) | Square |
| Head size | 32–36 mm chin to crown | 25–35 mm chin to crown |
| Head coverage | About 70–80% of height | About 50–69% of height |
| Background | Light grey or white | Plain white or off-white |
| Submission format | Biometric captured at МВР; digital for visas | Digital upload or printed 2 × 2 in |
| Compliance difference | Larger head ratio, strict biometric framing | Smaller head ratio, square crop |
How to Create a Bulgaria Passport Photo
Using the Bulgaria passport photo maker takes about a minute from upload to download:
- Upload — choose a clear, front-facing photo (JPEG, PNG or WebP) taken against a light wall in even light.
- Crop — the maker detects your face and applies the 35 × 45 mm frame with the correct head height and eye line.
- Background — automatic background removal swaps any busy backdrop for a clean, compliant light background.
- Verify — the on-screen guide checks head size, centring, expression and lighting against Bulgarian rules.
- Download — export a single 35 × 45 mm image or a print-ready 10 × 15 cm sheet, then print or submit digitally.
Bulgarian Passport Photos: Common Rejection Reasons
Most refusals at МВR come down to a short list of avoidable issues:
Compliance Notice
Passport photo requirements can change without notice. Always confirm the latest specifications with the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Bulgaria or your nearest Bulgarian diplomatic mission before submitting. The Bulgaria Passport Photo Maker helps you produce a photo that follows published biometric standards, but final acceptance of any photograph remains the decision of the issuing authority.
Frequently Asked Questions
General passport photo questions
How recent does my passport photo need to be?
Can I wear glasses in my passport photo?
Am I allowed to smile in a passport photo?
What background colour should a passport photo have?
Bulgaria-specific questions