EU Passport Photo Size (Standard 35 x 45 mm Biometric)
The standard EU passport photo size is 35 mm × 45 mm (3.5 × 4.5 cm), on a plain light-coloured background, with the head 32–36 mm from chin to crown and taken within the last 6 months. At 300 DPI that is 413 × 531 pixels.
European Union passports are issued by national authorities, not by the EU, so they share a common biometric framework rather than one legal photo size. The framing rules come from EU Regulation 2252/2004 and ICAO Doc 9303, and most member states apply them at 35 × 45 mm — but four do not. Photos are most often refused at the town hall, préfecture, Bürgeramt or comisaría for incorrect head size, a shadow behind the head, or a photo older than six months. This page is the hub for the EU standard: the shared specification, the member states that deviate from it, child rules, printing, and a free tool that produces a compliant file in under a minute.
EU Passport Photo Size (Quick Answer)
The standard EU passport photo size is 35 mm × 45 mm (3.5 × 4.5 cm or 1.38 × 1.77 inches) with a 7:9 portrait ratio. At 300 DPI it equals 413 × 531 pixels. Spain, Greece, Finland and Estonia use different dimensions.
| Requirement | Value |
|---|---|
| Photo size (most member states) | 35 × 45 mm (3.5 × 4.5 cm) |
| Pixels @ 300 DPI | 413 × 531 px |
| Aspect ratio | 7 : 9 |
| Background | Plain light-coloured (shade set nationally) |
| Head height (chin to crown) | 32 – 36 mm |
| Eye line from bottom edge | 30 – 36 mm |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed |
| Age of photo | Within last 6 months |
| Member states that differ | Spain, Greece, Finland, Estonia |
| Compliance reference | EU Reg. 2252/2004 / ICAO Doc 9303 |
Applying for a passport in an EU member state? Get a compliant photo in 60 seconds.
Create EU Passport Photo →EU Passport Photo Visual Reference
Biometric portrait, 7:9 ratio
EU passport photographs follow the ICAO Doc 9303 biometric framework. The head occupies the upper 70–80% of the frame, the face is centred horizontally, the eyes sit roughly two-thirds up the photo, and the background is plain and uniform with no shadow behind the head.
Full EU Passport Photo Requirements
The table below consolidates the shared EU biometric photo rules. National authorities apply this framework with their own dimensions and additional detail — verify the exact specification with your country's passport office. Each rule links to the detailed standard.
| Photo size | 35 mm × 45 mm (3.5 × 4.5 cm / 1.38 × 1.77 in) in most member states |
|---|---|
| Width | 35 mm (413 px @ 300 DPI) |
| Height | 45 mm (531 px @ 300 DPI) |
| Aspect ratio | 7 : 9 portrait |
| Background | Plain light-coloured, uniform, no shadows or patterns. Light grey is the most widely preferred tone; Spain requires plain white. See background colour rules |
| Lighting | Even and diffuse, no shadow on the face or the wall behind the head. See shadow rules |
| Head size (chin to crown) | Approximately 32 – 36 mm. See head size rules |
| Face coverage | 70 – 80% of frame height. See face size requirements |
| Eye line from photo bottom | Around 30 – 36 mm, both eyes open and clearly visible. See eyes requirements |
| Hair | Must not cover the eyes or obscure the outline of the face. See hair rules |
| Ears | Not mandatory across EU states, but the face outline must be clear. See ears visibility rules |
| Resolution | 300 DPI minimum, 600 DPI accepted by many digital portals. See resolution rules |
| File format | JPEG (.jpg) for digital uploads, 24-bit colour, sRGB |
| File size | Varies by national portal — most EU states cap uploads at 240 KB |
| Glasses | Many authorities recommend removing them; some accept clear lenses without glare if the eyes are fully visible. See glasses rules |
| Headwear | Generally not permitted unless worn for religious reasons, with the face fully visible. See head covering rules |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, both eyes open. See smile rules |
| Digital editing | Not permitted — no filters, skin smoothing, slimming or tone adjustment |
| Age of photo | Taken within the last 6 months |
| Compliance reference | EU Regulation 2252/2004 & ICAO Doc 9303 |
EU Passport Photo Dimensions & Pixels
The 35 × 45 mm biometric format is the most widely adopted passport photo size in the world. The pixel values below match what most national passport portals expect for digital uploads.
Need a 413 × 531 pixel EU-ready file? Use the Passport Photo Maker to generate one automatically with the correct biometric proportions. If your export is too heavy for a national portal, the compress to 240 KB guide covers the common EU ceiling.
EU Passport Photo Requirements by Country
All 27 EU member states are covered below. Twenty-three apply the shared 35 × 45 mm format; the four highlighted in amber use different dimensions and are detailed in the next section. Open your own country's page for its background shade, head-height band and national authority.
Browse every national standard worldwide in the passport photo requirements by country hub.
The Four EU Member States That Do Not Use 35 × 45 mm
Because photo dimensions are set nationally rather than by EU law, four member states publish a different size. Using a 35 × 45 mm photo in these countries is a straightforward refusal, and it is the single most common mistake made by applicants who assume one EU standard exists.
| Member State | Photo Size | Pixels @ 300 DPI | Aspect Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spain | 26 × 32 mm | 307 × 378 px | 13 : 16 |
| Greece | 40 × 60 mm | 472 × 709 px | 2 : 3 |
| Finland | 36 × 47 mm | 425 × 555 px | 36 : 47 |
| Estonia | 40 × 50 mm | 472 × 591 px | 4 : 5 |
Passport Photo Size in Non-EU Europe
The 35 × 45 mm format extends well beyond the EU. These non-EU European states align with the same ICAO biometric framework, which is why a photo prepared for one is usually acceptable in another.
| Country | Photo Size | Background | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 35 × 45 mm | White, cream or light grey | Head 29–34 mm, narrower than the EU band |
| Norway | 35 × 45 mm | Light grey | Schengen member, non-EU |
| Switzerland | 35 × 45 mm | Light grey | Schengen member, non-EU |
| Iceland | 35 × 45 mm | Light grey | Schengen member, non-EU |
| Serbia | 35 × 45 mm | Plain light | EU candidate country |
| Ukraine | 35 × 45 mm | Plain light | EU candidate country |
| Turkey | 50 × 60 mm | Plain white | Different size — not interchangeable |
National authorities can publish additional country-specific guidance. Always verify the latest specification with your local passport office.
Create Your EU Passport Photo Size Online
Cropping a phone photo to exactly 35 x 45 mm with the head between 32 and 36 mm is harder than it looks. Most photo editors don't snap to the 7:9 ratio EU passports require, and they don't validate the chin-to-crown distance at all.
Our Passport Photo Maker reads your uploaded image, detects your face, applies the EU biometric frame, and exports a 413 × 531 pixel file plus a print-ready sheet — ready to take to your local town hall, préfecture, Bürgeramt, or comisaría.
Upload your photo and our Passport Photo Maker automatically:
- Crops the photo correctly to the 35 x 45 mm EU passport frame
- Centres your face within the 32-36 mm biometric head range
- Applies a clean light-coloured background
- Creates a compliant photo at 413 x 531 pixels (300 DPI)
- Generates a print-ready 4 x 6 inch sheet with 6 cuttable copies
How to Create an EU Passport Photo Size
- Take a high-resolution photo — Stand 4-5 feet from a plain light-coloured wall in soft, even daylight. Face the camera with a neutral expression and closed mouth. Remove hats and large jewellery; for glasses, check your national authority's guidance.
- Open the Passport Photo Maker — Visit the ClonyPDF Passport Photo Maker and drag your image into the upload area.
- Select your country preset — Choose your specific EU member state, or the generic 35 x 45 mm option. The preset locks the crop ratio and biometric framing, including the correct dimensions if you are applying in Spain, Greece, Finland or Estonia.
- Auto-crop and verify — Face detection centres your head within the 7:9 frame and flags framing issues before you export. The crop guide explains how the ratio and head-height band are applied together.
- Download the result — Export a 413 × 531 pixel JPEG plus a print-ready 4 × 6 inch sheet with 6 copies. Print at any photo kiosk and take the freshly cut photos to your appointment.
EU Passport Photo Rules for Babies, Infants and Children
The same size, background and head-height band apply to minors across EU member states — there is no smaller format for infants. What most authorities do relax is the expression and open-eyes requirement for the youngest applicants, and this is the one area where national practice varies noticeably.
Same size, same framing
35 × 45 mm frame (or your member state's dimensions) with the head filling 70–80% of the height. No age exemption applies to size or proportions.
Expression relaxed for under-ones
Most EU authorities waive the neutral-expression rule for babies under one year old. Older children must have a closed mouth and neutral face like an adult.
Eyes open where achievable
The open-eyes rule is commonly relaxed for newborns but enforced for older children. See the eyes requirements.
Child alone in the frame
No supporting hands, arms, car seat, toy or dummy may appear, and no other person may be visible. Support the child from behind a plain light sheet.
No shadow behind the head
Lay the child on a plain light sheet in soft indirect daylight and shoot from directly above. Side lighting creates the shadow that fails the check. See the shadow rules.
Fresh photo at each renewal
Children's passports are issued for shorter validity periods and need a new photo each time. Appearance changes fast, so a photo that no longer resembles the child is refused.
Positioning, lighting and timing technique for infants and toddlers is covered in the baby passport photo at home guide.
Photographing a child? Upload the shot and let the tool apply the EU crop.
Create Child Passport Photo →Printing an EU Passport Photo
Most EU applications are still made in person, so you will usually need printed copies to hand over at the town hall, préfecture, Bürgeramt or comisaría. A 35 × 45 mm photo tiles six-up on standard 4 × 6 inch photo paper.
| Print resolution | 300 DPI minimum — export at 413 × 531 pixels or larger |
|---|---|
| Paper | Glossy or matte photo paper, 200–250 gsm. Plain copier paper is refused |
| Copies per 4 × 6 inch sheet | Six 35 × 45 mm photos with cutting margins |
| Copies per A4 sheet | Around twenty, though most applications need two |
| Cutting | Guillotine or steel rule for square edges. Do not cut inside the printed border |
| Colour management | sRGB. Turn off printer auto-enhance, skin smoothing and colour correction |
| Handling | Let ink dry fully. Do not staple, fold or glue the photo face |
Printer settings and cutting technique are covered in full in the print passport photo at home guide, and multi-copy sheet layout in the print sheet guide.
EU Passport Photo vs Schengen Visa Photo
These two photos share the same physical dimensions but are used for completely different purposes. EU citizens use the passport photo to apply for their own travel document, while non-EU travellers use the Schengen visa photo to apply for a short-stay visa.
| Requirement | EU Passport Photo | Schengen Visa Photo |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 35 × 45 mm | 35 × 45 mm |
| Pixels @ 300 DPI | 413 × 531 px | 413 × 531 px |
| Aspect ratio | 7 : 9 | 7 : 9 |
| Head height | 32 – 36 mm | 32 – 36 mm |
| Issuing authority | National passport authority | Destination consulate or visa application centre |
| Used by | EU citizens applying for their own passport | Non-EU travellers applying for a Schengen visa |
| Submission | Town hall, préfecture, Bürgeramt or comisaría | Consulate or outsourced visa application centre |
| Compliance reference | EU Reg. 2252/2004 / ICAO 9303 | EU Visa Code / ICAO 9303 |
For the visa side of this cluster, see our dedicated Schengen visa photo requirements guide. Travellers heading further afield may also need the China visa photo, which uses a different 33 × 48 mm format.
Why EU Passport Photos Get Rejected
Each item below links to the detailed rule so you can confirm the exact tolerance before your appointment. The full cross-country breakdown is in passport photo rejection reasons.
Wrong Dimensions
Photo cropped to 2x2 inches, 50x70 mm, or 30x40 mm instead of the 35x45 mm format used by most EU member states. See the crop guide.
Assuming One EU Size
Bringing a 35x45 mm photo to a Spanish, Greek, Finnish or Estonian application. Those four states publish different dimensions — see the exceptions table.
Head Outside 32-36 mm
Chin-to-crown measurement is too small or too large, breaking the ICAO biometric framing rules. See head size rules.
Wrong Background
Textured, patterned, gradient, or strongly coloured background. A plain, uniform, light-coloured backdrop is required. See background colour rules.
Shadows Behind Head
Side lighting creates a visible shadow on the wall behind the head — a very common rejection at town halls and préfectures. See shadow rules.
Glare on Glasses
If glasses are worn, any reflection or partially hidden eyes will fail biometric checks. Many EU authorities recommend removing them. See glasses rules.
Eyes Obscured or Closed
Both eyes must be open, level and clearly visible. See eyes requirements.
Hair Across the Face
A fringe over the eyes or hair obscuring the face outline fails landmark detection. See hair rules.
Smile or Open Mouth
EU biometric systems require a neutral expression with closed lips. Even small smiles distort facial-landmark detection. See smile rules.
Headwear (Non-Religious)
Hats, caps, or accessories that cover part of the head or face are not accepted. Only religious headwear is permitted, with the face fully visible. See head covering rules.
Filters and Retouching
Portrait blur, skin smoothing and slimming alter facial geometry and are detected by automated validation. Shoot in a plain, unfiltered mode.
Low Resolution
JPEG below 413 x 531 pixels prints pixelated at 35 x 45 mm. Minimum acceptable resolution is 300 DPI. See resolution rules.
Old Photo
Photo older than 6 months is rejected even if everything else is compliant.
Printed on Plain Paper
Standard copier paper is refused at every EU counter. Print on glossy or matte photo paper only. See the print at home guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Size & Dimensions
What is the EU passport photo size?
The standard EU passport photo size is 35 mm × 45 mm (3.5 × 4.5 cm or 1.38 × 1.77 inches). It uses a 7:9 aspect ratio and at 300 DPI equals 413 × 531 pixels. The framing framework comes from EU Regulation 2252/2004 and ICAO Doc 9303.
Do all EU countries use the same passport photo size?
No. Twenty-three of the 27 member states use 35 × 45 mm, but four differ: Spain uses 26 × 32 mm, Greece uses 40 × 60 mm, Finland uses 36 × 47 mm and Estonia uses 40 × 50 mm. The biometric framing rules are shared; the physical dimensions are set nationally. See the exceptions table.
What is the EU passport photo size in pixels?
At 300 DPI the EU passport photo equals 413 × 531 pixels. At 600 DPI it equals 826 × 1062 pixels. Both resolutions are accepted by most national online passport portals.
What is the passport photo size in Europe?
The passport photo size in Europe is generally 35 × 45 mm (3.5 × 4.5 cm), used across most EU member states as well as the United Kingdom, Norway, Switzerland and Iceland. A small number of European states use different dimensions, including Spain, Greece, Finland, Estonia and Turkey.
Specification Detail
What head size does an EU passport photo need?
The head measured from chin to crown should be 32 to 36 mm, filling roughly 70 to 80 percent of the 45 mm frame height, with the eye line around 30 to 36 mm up from the bottom edge. These proportions come from ICAO Doc 9303 and are shared across member states even where the outer dimensions differ.
What background is required?
A plain, uniform, light-coloured background with no shadows, patterns or gradients. Light grey is the most widely preferred tone across member states, while Spain requires plain white. The preferred shade depends on your national passport authority.
Can I wear glasses?
Many EU passport authorities recommend removing glasses for the biometric photo. Some accept clear lenses with no glare provided the eyes remain fully visible and the frames do not cross the pupils. Tinted lenses and sunglasses are never accepted. Confirm with your national authority.
How recent must the photo be?
Most EU member states require the photo to be taken within the last 6 months and to reflect your current appearance. Significant changes in facial hair, hair colour or weight require a new photo even inside the six-month window.
Children & Related Documents
What are the EU passport photo rules for a baby or child?
The same size, light background and head-height band apply to minors. Most member states relax the neutral-expression and open-eyes rules for infants under one year old, but the child must be alone in the frame with no supporting hands, toy or dummy visible, and no other person may appear. See the child and infant rules section.
Is the EU passport photo the same as the Schengen visa photo?
Both use the 35 × 45 mm size and the same biometric framing, but the EU passport photo is for EU citizens applying for their own passport through a national authority, while the Schengen visa photo is for non-EU travellers applying for a short-stay visa through a consulate or visa application centre. See the Schengen visa photo guide.
Taking & Printing
Can I take an EU passport photo at home?
Yes. Use a smartphone or digital camera against a plain light-coloured wall in soft daylight, standing at least 50 cm clear of the wall to avoid shadow, then upload the image to our Passport Photo Maker to apply the 35 x 45 mm crop and biometric proportions.
Can I use my phone camera?
Yes. Modern smartphone cameras far exceed the resolution required. Switch off portrait blur and skin smoothing first, since they alter facial geometry and are detected. The precise 7:9 crop and 32-36 mm head height are handled automatically by our tool.
How do I print a 35x45 mm EU passport photo?
Print at 300 DPI on glossy or matte photo paper of 200 to 250 gsm. A 4 × 6 inch sheet holds six copies and an A4 sheet holds around twenty. Cut with a guillotine for square edges and do not trim inside the printed border. Disable printer auto-enhance and fit-to-page scaling. See the print at home guide.
Related Passport Photo Tools
Official Sources & References
- EU Regulation 2252/2004 — Standards for security features and biometrics in passports issued by Member States: eur-lex.europa.eu
- European Commission — Schengen Borders, Documents & Visa Policy: home-affairs.ec.europa.eu
- ICAO Doc 9303 — Machine Readable Travel Documents biometric photograph standard: icao.int
- National passport authorities of the 27 EU member states — linked individually from the by-country hub above
Create Your EU Passport Photo Size Now
Skip the photo studio queue. Upload one image and download a compliant 35 × 45 mm EU passport photo at 413 × 531 pixels — with biometric framing applied automatically — in under 60 seconds. Print on a 4 × 6 inch sheet and you are ready for your appointment at the town hall, préfecture, Bürgeramt, or comisaría.
Create EU Passport Photo →