Greek passport photos are issued under the authority of the Hellenic Police (Elliniki Astynomia) and must conform to ICAO biometric standard 9303 as enforced by Greece's National Passport and Secure Document Centre Printed photos submitted abroad measure 40 mm × 60 mm on professional photographic paper. Applications filed within Greece now require digital upload via the gov.gr myPhoto portal. Photos must be taken within six months of application, show the full face on a plain light-grey background, and meet strict biometric standards — or risk immediate rejection by the Central Division of Passport Issuance in Athens.
Specifications as published by Greece's National Passport and Secure Document Centre on (last updated February 2026).
| Specification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Photo Size (Printed) | 40 mm wide × 60 mm tall (4 × 6 cm) — without frame |
| Head Coverage | Full face (shoulder base to top of hair) must fill 70–75% of the photo |
| Chin-to-Forehead Height | 50–60% of the total photo height |
| Background | Plain, uniform light grey — recommended RGB (190, 190, 190) ±10. No patterns, objects, or shadows. |
| Resolution (Printed) | Minimum 1200 dpi for digital-origin prints |
| Paper Quality | High-quality photographic paper only — inkjet and laser printer output is not accepted |
| Color | Full color, natural skin tone — no filters, saturation, or color correction |
| Expression | Strictly neutral; closed mouth; both eyes normally open (not wide open); no smile |
| Gaze | Looking directly at the lens; head rotation must be less than ±5° in any direction |
| Glasses | Removal recommended. If worn: no tinted lenses, no photochromic lenses, no reflections, frames must not cover eyes |
| Head Coverings | Not permitted except for verified religious reasons — full face from jaw to forehead and ear to ear must remain visible |
| Clothing | Civilian clothing only; white clothing near the background should be avoided |
| Photo Age | Taken within six months of application date |
| Digital Submission (Greece) | Mandatory via gov.gr myPhoto portal; printed photos accepted until 31 January 2026 transition deadline |
| Digital Submission (Abroad) | Uploaded to Ministry of Foreign Affairs consular platform, or submitted as print on professional photographic paper |
| ICAO Standard | Fully compliant with ICAO Document 9303 biometric specifications |
Greek passports are issued exclusively by the Hellenic Police (Elliniki Astynomia) through the National Passport and Secure Document Centre (Εθνικό Κέντρο Διαβατηρίων και Ασφαλών Εγγράφων). This body operates under Presidential Decree 25/2004 and Presidential Decree 193/2005, supplemented by Act 3103/2003. Since 1 January 2007, only passports issued by the Passport Division of the Hellenic Police carry legal validity.
Greece adopted biometric e-passports on 26 August 2006, incorporating an integrated microchip storing facial biometrics in compliance with EU Regulation 2252/2004. All photo specifications derive from this regulation and from ICAO Document 9303, the international standard for machine-readable travel documents.
For applicants outside Greece, Greek Consulates worldwide collect applications and photographs and forward them to the National Passport Centre in Athens for printing. Processing time is typically four to six weeks.
Whether you're applying for your first Greek passport, renewing an existing one, or applying from abroad, the photo requirements remain the same. Here's a concise overview of how the process works:
Greece has transitioned to a fully digital photo submission system for domestic passport applications. Since 2026, the myPhoto electronic service on the gov.gr portal is the required channel for citizens applying within Greece. Printed photographs were accepted through 31 January 2026 as part of the transition period.
Photos uploaded via myPhoto must comply with special digital file specifications published separately by the National Passport Centre. Key digital requirements include correct image dimensions, adequate resolution, and the same facial and background standards that apply to printed photos.
Every Greek citizen — regardless of age — must hold their own individual passport. This means even newborns require a compliant biometric photo. The same technical specifications apply, though some practical allowances exist for very young children.
Yes — but meeting the Hellenic Police's strict technical standards at home requires attention to detail. Here's what you need to get right:
Follow these five steps to produce a fully compliant Greek passport photo in under two minutes.
Side-by-side comparison of the most significant differences between Greek and American passport photo standards.
| 🇬🇷 Greece (Hellenic Police) | 🇺🇸 United States (State Dept.) | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 40 mm × 60 mm (4 × 6 cm) | 51 mm × 51 mm (2 × 2 inches) — square |
| Head Coverage | 70–75% of total photo; chin-to-forehead = 50–60% of height | Head must be 1–1⅜ inches (25–35 mm) measured from chin to top of head |
| Background | Plain light grey — RGB approx. (190, 190, 190) | Plain white or off-white |
| Glasses | Removal recommended; if worn, strict no-reflection and no-tint rules | Glasses prohibited as of November 2016 |
| Digital Submission | Mandatory via gov.gr myPhoto for domestic applications | Accepted via State Dept. online renewal for eligible applicants |
| Paper (Printed) | Professional photographic paper only; inkjet/laser not accepted | High-quality photo paper; inkjet accepted if high-quality |
| Photo Age | Within 6 months of application | Within 6 months of application |
| Governing Standard | ICAO 9303 + EU Regulation 2252/2004 | ICAO 9303 (US-specific implementation) |
The Central Division of Passport Issuance in Athens returns applications with non-compliant photos. These are the most frequent reasons:
Upload once and get a biometric-ready photo that meets every Hellenic Police requirement — correct dimensions, correct background, correct framing — in under two minutes.
