Create a biometrically compliant Swiss passport photo for your cantonal civil registry office or Swiss representation abroad — 35×45mm, correct face zone, white or light grey background enforced.
Whether you're a Swiss citizen renewing your Reisepass at a cantonal civil registry office (Zivilstandsamt), applying for the first time, or visiting a Swiss embassy abroad, your application requires a photo that meets the biometric specifications set by the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM / Staatssekretariat für Migration). The mandated size is 35mm × 45mm with the face measuring between 27mm and 36mm in height within the frame.
Switzerland's multilingual federal structure means applicants interact with cantonal offices in German, French, Italian, or Romansh — but the photo standards are set nationally and are identical across all 26 cantons. Photos are rejected for background colour issues (the SEM permits white or very light grey, unlike some countries that require pure white only), incorrect face proportions, glasses, or images more than six months old. A non-compliant photo means a return visit to your Zivilstandsamt.
Swiss cantonal offices apply strict biometric checks when processing passport applications. The face-height zone (27–36mm within a 45mm frame) is wider than many neighbouring countries, but the background rule has a nuance most tools miss: Switzerland accepts both pure white and very light grey — but not cream, beige, or any warm-tinted neutral. Getting this distinction wrong is a common cause of rejection.
Passport Photo Maker handles the Swiss-specific tolerances automatically. Upload your photo below: the tool locks the frame to 35×45mm, centers your face within the biometric zone, and normalises the background to a compliant neutral — no measurement or manual cropping required.
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These requirements are set by the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) and enforced uniformly across all cantonal civil registry offices and Swiss representations abroad.
| Requirement | Specification | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Photo size | 35 × 45 mm | Width × Height. Standard for Swiss passport and identity card (Identitätskarte). |
| Width | 35 mm | Tolerance ±1 mm. |
| Height | 45 mm | Tolerance ±1 mm. |
| Face height (chin to crown) | 27–36 mm | Within the 45mm photo height. Wider tolerance than many EU neighbours. |
| Background | White or very light grey | No shadows, patterns, or warm tones. Must contrast with face and hair. |
| Resolution (print) | Minimum 600 dpi | High-quality photo paper required. No inkjet prints on plain paper. |
| File format (digital) | JPEG / JPG | For digital pre-submission where accepted by the cantonal office. |
| Glasses | Not permitted | All eyewear prohibited. ICAO standard adopted by Switzerland. |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed | Eyes fully open, looking directly at the camera. |
| Head coverings | Not permitted | Exception for documented religious or medical reasons. |
| Age of photo | Maximum 6 months | Must reflect current appearance. |
| Number of photos required | 2 identical prints | For in-person cantonal submissions. Check with your Zivilstandsamt. |
The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) — Staatssekretariat für Migration in German, Secrétariat d'État aux migrations in French, Segreteria di Stato della migrazione in Italian — is Switzerland's federal authority responsible for passport policy, biometric standards, and the national travel document framework. Switzerland is not an EU member state, but has adopted ICAO biometric passport standards and participates in the Schengen zone, meaning its passport photo rules align closely with EU norms.
Unlike centralised passport systems in countries such as Ireland, Switzerland processes applications through its 26 cantonal civil registry offices. Each canton operates its own Zivilstandsamt, but all apply the same SEM-mandated photo and biometric standards. The decentralised structure means appointment processes and fees can vary slightly by canton, but the photo specifications do not.
The application is submitted in person at the local civil registry office. Two compliant printed photos are required. The canton verifies identity documents and photo compliance.
Fingerprints and a digital facial scan are taken at the cantonal office. The submitted photo must match the live facial capture — significant appearance changes cause rejection.
The canton transmits verified data to the federal passport production facility. The biometric chip is encoded and the passport booklet produced under SEM oversight.
The completed passport is returned to the cantonal office or Swiss representation for collection. Standard processing takes approximately 5–10 working days; an express service (Expressdienst) is available for urgent travel.
Switzerland's federal structure means passport applications pass through 26 separate cantonal authorities before reaching the SEM. Understanding what is standardised nationally versus what varies locally prevents confusion.
35×45mm, white/light grey background, face height 27–36mm, no glasses — identical in every canton. Set by SEM, not by the canton.
Fingerprint and facial scan at every cantonal office. Mandated by federal law under the Swiss Passport Act (Passdokumentenverordnung).
Some cantons (e.g. Zurich, Geneva) require online appointment booking. Others accept walk-ins. Check your Zivilstandsamt's website directly.
Base passport fees are federally set (CHF 140 for adults, CHF 60 for children under 18). Express service fees vary by canton.
All children — including newborns — require their own Swiss passport or Identitätskarte to travel internationally. Switzerland does not permit children to be included on a parent's travel document. Child passport photos follow the same SEM biometric specifications as adult photos.
Swiss child passports are valid for 5 years for children under 18 (compared to 10 years for adults). A new biometrically compliant photo is required at each renewal.
Use a white or very light grey wall, sheet, or surface. Switzerland accepts both — but avoid warm-toned neutrals. Even lighting from the front prevents shadows on the face and background.
All eyewear is prohibited under SEM biometric rules. Head coverings are only permitted for documented religious or medical reasons that do not obscure the face contour.
Visit clonypdf.com/passport-photo-maker, upload your image, and select Switzerland. The tool loads the correct 35×45mm template with the SEM-compliant face zone automatically.
Confirm the face-height indicator falls within the 27–36mm zone. The tool keeps dimensions fixed at 35×45mm regardless of crop position adjustments.
Download the print-ready sheet (two photos on 10×15cm paper). Print on photo paper at minimum 600 dpi. Bring both prints to your cantonal appointment.
Cantonal civil registry staff reject photos during the in-person appointment. These are the most common causes.
The SEM permits white or very light grey — but not cream, beige, or off-white with a warm undertone. This is the most frequent rejection cause for home photos.
While Switzerland's tolerance is wider than some neighbours, a face cropped too small (zoomed out) or filling too much of the frame (zoomed in) still fails the biometric check.
All eyewear — prescription, tinted, rimless — is prohibited. Cantonal staff check this visually at submission.
Overhead lighting or standing too close to a wall creates shadows that disqualify the photo. Use diffuse front-facing light.
Staff compare the photo against the applicant in person. Significant appearance changes or dated-looking photos are flagged.
Switzerland requires photos printed on proper photo paper at minimum 600 dpi. Inkjet prints on plain A4 paper are rejected on inspection.
Squinting, semi-closed eyelids, or red-eye from flash are disqualifying under SEM biometric standards.
The face must be centred, upright, and looking directly at the camera. Even minor tilting outside biometric tolerance fails the cantonal check.
Planning travel across Europe or applying for additional visas? These guides cover neighbouring countries and common Swiss traveller visa routes:
Meets SEM biometric standards for all cantonal Zivilstandsamt submissions and Swiss embassy applications worldwide. No studio visit needed.
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