Everything you need to know about Austria ID Card (Personalausweis) photo requirements, including exact dimensions, background color, pose rules, and how to take a compliant photo at home.
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Country | Austria |
| Document Type | ID Card (Personalausweis) |
| Photo Size | 35 × 45 mm (portrait / Hochformat) |
| Resolution (DPI) | 600 |
| Pixel Dimensions | 827 × 1063 pixels at 600 DPI |
| Head Size | Approximately 2/3 of the photo, max 36mm from chin to top of head |
| Background Color | Plain light gray, with sufficient contrast to the face |
| Printable | Yes — on matte or glossy photo-quality paper |
| Digital for Online Submission | Yes |
| Color | Color only (black and white explicitly not accepted) |
| Number of Photos | 1 (domestic) / 2 (abroad) |
| Recency | Taken within the last 6 months |
The Austrian government has strict requirements for ID Card (Personalausweis) photos. Below is a comprehensive guide to ensure your photo is accepted.
Glasses are permitted in Austria ID Card photos as long as your eyes are clearly visible through the lenses. Tinted lenses and reflections on the glasses are not allowed. Make sure there is no glare obscuring your eyes.
Source: Austria.gv.at — Personalausweis
You don't need a professional studio. Follow these simple steps to take a compliant Austria ID Card photo at home using your smartphone.
Any modern smartphone camera (iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, etc.) is more than capable of taking a passport-quality photo. Make sure the lens is clean and the camera is set to the highest resolution.
Place your phone on a tripod or ask someone to take the photo for you. Selfies tend to have the wrong angle and distortion.
Stand facing a window with natural daylight for the best even lighting. Avoid direct sunlight, which creates harsh shadows. If using indoor lighting, use multiple light sources from different angles to eliminate shadows.
Wear your normal everyday clothing. Avoid uniforms and white tops that blend with the background. If you wear religious head coverings daily, you may keep them on as long as your full face is visible.
Make sure your hair does not cover your eyes or cast shadows on your face.
Stand about 4 feet (1.2 meters) in front of the camera with your head facing directly forward. Keep your shoulders relaxed and your head level — not tilted. Ensure your entire face from chin to forehead is visible.
Keep your face relaxed with a neutral expression. Both eyes must be open and your mouth closed. No smiling, squinting, or exaggerated expressions.
Comparison of acceptable and unacceptable ID card photos
An Austria ID Card (Personalausweis) photo must be 35×45mm in portrait orientation (Hochformat). At 600 DPI, this equals 827×1063 pixels. The head should occupy approximately 2/3 of the photo, with a maximum head height of 36mm.
Yes, glasses are permitted in Austria ID Card photos as long as your eyes are clearly visible. Tinted lenses and reflections on the glasses are not allowed.
No. You must maintain a neutral facial expression with your mouth closed and both eyes open. No smiling, squinting, frowning, or exaggerated expressions.
Yes! You can take your Austria ID Card photo with any smartphone. Simply upload it to PassportPhoto.help and our AI will automatically crop, resize, remove the background, and ensure it meets all official Austria ID Card photo requirements.
The background must be plain light gray, providing sufficient contrast with your face. No patterns, objects, shadows, or other people should be visible. If you don't have a light gray wall, don't worry — our tool will automatically replace your background with the correct color.
Your Austria ID Card photo must have been taken within the last 6 months. It should reflect your current appearance, including any significant changes to your face.
No, hats and head coverings are not allowed unless worn for religious purposes. Even then, your full face must be visible from the bottom of your chin to the top of your forehead, and the head covering must not cast shadows on your face.
You need 1 photo for domestic applications within Austria, and 2 photos when applying at an Austrian embassy or consulate abroad.
