EU Passport Photo Size (Standard 35 x 45 mm Biometric)
European Union passports are issued by national authorities, but they share a common biometric photograph framework. The EU passport photo size is generally 35 mm × 45 mm (3.5 × 4.5 cm), taken within the last 6 months, on a plain light-colored background, with a neutral expression and the head measuring roughly 32-36 mm from chin to crown. The format is based on EU Regulation 2252/2004 and the ICAO Doc 9303 biometric standard. EU citizens applying for a new passport, renewing an existing one, or updating a child's document use this format. Photos are most often rejected at the town hall, préfecture, or comisaría for incorrect head size, shadows behind the head, or photos older than 6 months. This page acts as a hub for the EU passport photo standard, with links to country-specific guidance and a free online tool to generate a 35x45 mm photo 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). At 300 DPI it equals 413 × 531 pixels. It is the biometric format used across European Union member states under EU Regulation 2252/2004.
| Requirement | Value |
|---|---|
| Photo size | 35 × 45 mm (3.5 × 4.5 cm) |
| Pixels @ 300 DPI | 413 × 531 px |
| Background | Plain light-colored (per national authority) |
| Head height (chin to crown) | 32 – 36 mm |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed |
| Age of photo | Within last 6 months |
| Compliance reference | EU Reg. 2252/2004 / ICAO 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 centered horizontally, the eyes sit roughly two-thirds up the photo, and the background is plain and uniform.
Full EU Passport Photo Requirements
The table below consolidates the common EU passport photo rules. National authorities apply this framework with additional country-specific details — verify the exact specification with your country's passport office.
| Photo size | 35 mm × 45 mm (3.5 × 4.5 cm / 1.38 × 1.77 in) |
|---|---|
| Width | 35 mm (413 px @ 300 DPI) |
| Height | 45 mm (531 px @ 300 DPI) |
| Background | Plain light-colored, uniform, no shadows or patterns (white, off-white or light grey accepted depending on member state) |
| Head size (chin to crown) | Approximately 32 – 36 mm |
| Eye line from photo bottom | Around 30 – 36 mm |
| Face coverage | 70 – 80% of frame height |
| Resolution | 300 DPI minimum (600 DPI accepted by many digital portals) |
| File format | JPEG (.jpg) for digital uploads |
| File size | Varies by national online portal |
| Color | 24-bit color, sRGB color space, natural skin tones |
| Glasses | Many authorities recommend removing them; some accept clear lenses without glare if eyes are fully visible |
| Headwear | Generally not permitted unless worn for religious reasons, with face fully visible |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, both eyes open and visible |
| Age of photo | Taken within the last 6 months |
| Compliance reference | EU Regulation 2252/2004 & ICAO Doc 9303 |
EU Passport Photo Dimensions & Pixels
The EU passport photo uses the widely adopted 35 × 45 mm biometric format used by many passport and visa systems worldwide. The pixel sizes 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.
For a complete breakdown of the 35x45 mm standard, see our dedicated 35x45 photo size guide. For pixel references at every DPI, see passport photo size in pixels.
Passport Photo Size in Europe
The 35 × 45 mm biometric format is the dominant passport photo size across Europe — not only inside the EU but also across non-EU European countries that align with ICAO biometric guidance.
| Country | Region | Photo Size |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | EU | 35 × 45 mm |
| France | EU | 35 × 45 mm |
| Spain | EU | 35 × 45 mm |
| Italy | EU | 35 × 45 mm |
| Netherlands | EU | 35 × 45 mm |
| Belgium | EU | 35 × 45 mm |
| Poland | EU | 35 × 45 mm |
| Portugal | EU | 35 × 45 mm |
| Sweden | EU | 35 × 45 mm |
| Austria | EU | 35 × 45 mm |
| Denmark | EU | 35 × 45 mm |
| Finland | EU | 35 × 45 mm |
| Ireland | EU | 35 × 45 mm |
| Greece | EU | 35 × 45 mm |
| Czech Republic | EU | 35 × 45 mm |
| Hungary | EU | 35 × 45 mm |
| United Kingdom | Non-EU | 35 × 45 mm |
| Norway | Non-EU | 35 × 45 mm |
| Switzerland | Non-EU | 35 × 45 mm |
| Iceland | Non-EU | 35 × 45 mm |
National authorities can publish additional country-specific guidance. Always verify the latest specification with your local passport office.
EU Passport Photo by Country
Use the country links below to open the dedicated passport photo guide for each EU member state, with the local authority, head-size details, and any country-specific requirements.
Don't see your country live yet? Use the generic EU preset.
Create EU Passport Photo →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
- Centers your face within the 32-36 mm biometric head range
- Applies a clean light-colored 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-colored wall in soft, even daylight. Face the camera with a neutral expression and closed mouth. Remove hats and large jewelry; 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 preset or the generic 35 x 45 mm EU option. The tool locks the crop ratio and biometric framing.
- Auto-crop and verify — Face detection centers your head within the 7:9 frame. The tool flags framing issues before you export.
- 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 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 travelers 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 center |
| Used by | EU citizens applying for their own passport | Non-EU travelers applying for Schengen visa |
| 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.
Why EU Passport Photos Get Rejected
Wrong Dimensions
Photo cropped to 2x2 inches, 50x70 mm, or 30x40 mm instead of the 35x45 mm format used across EU member states.
Head Outside 32-36 mm
Chin-to-crown measurement is too small or too large, breaking the ICAO biometric framing rules.
Wrong Background
Textured, patterned, gradient, or strongly colored background. A plain, uniform, light-colored backdrop is required.
Shadows Behind Head
Side lighting creates a visible shadow on the wall behind the head — a very common rejection at town halls and préfectures.
Glare on Glasses
If glasses are worn, any reflection or partially hidden eyes will fail biometric checks. Many EU authorities recommend removing them.
Smile or Open Mouth
EU biometric systems require a neutral expression with closed lips. Even small smiles distort facial-landmark detection.
Old Photo
Photo older than 6 months is rejected even if everything else is compliant.
Low Resolution
JPEG below 413 x 531 pixels prints pixelated at 35 x 45 mm. Minimum acceptable resolution is 300 DPI.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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 format is based on EU Regulation 2252/2004 and ICAO Doc 9303.
Do all EU countries use the same passport photo size?
Most EU member states use a 35 x 45 mm biometric photo format aligned with ICAO standards, although national authorities may publish additional requirements. Always check the rules of your specific country.
What is the passport photo size in Europe?
The passport photo size in Europe is generally 35 x 45 mm (3.5 x 4.5 cm), used across EU member states as well as the United Kingdom, Norway, Switzerland, and Iceland. Individual countries publish additional national rules.
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 background is required?
A plain, uniform, light-colored background is required. White, off-white, and light grey are commonly accepted across EU member states. The preferred tone 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 if the eyes remain fully visible. Tinted lenses are not accepted. Confirm with your national authority.
Can I take an EU passport photo at home?
Yes. Use a smartphone or digital camera against a plain wall in soft daylight, then upload the image to our Passport Photo Maker to apply the 35 x 45 mm crop and biometric proportions.
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.
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, while the Schengen visa photo is for non-EU travelers applying for a short-stay visa.
Can I use my phone camera?
Yes. Modern smartphone cameras far exceed the resolution required for EU passport photos. The challenge is the precise 7:9 crop and 32-36 mm head height — both handled automatically by our tool.
Related Passport Photo Tools
Official Sources & References
- EU Regulation 2252/2004 — Standards for biometric features in passports issued by Member States
- European Commission — Borders, Documents & Visa Policy (home-affairs.ec.europa.eu)
- National passport authorities of EU member states (linked individually on the country pages above)
- ICAO Doc 9303 — Machine Readable Travel Documents biometric photograph standard
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 →