Everything you need to know about Bulgaria (България) passport photo requirements, including exact dimensions, background color, pose rules, and how to take a compliant photo at home.
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Country | Bulgaria (България) |
| Document Type | Passport (Паспорт) |
| Photo Size | 35 × 45 mm (3.5 × 4.5 cm) |
| Resolution (DPI) | 600 |
| Pixel Dimensions | 827 × 1063 pixels (at 600 DPI) |
| Head Size | 31–36 mm from chin to crown (70–80% of photo) |
| Background Color | Plain white or light grey |
| Printable | Yes — on matte or glossy photo-quality paper |
| Digital for Online Submission | Yes |
| Color | Color only (black and white not accepted) |
| Recency | Taken within the last 6 months |
| Quantity Required | 3 photographs |
| Paper Size | Layout |
|---|---|
| 4×6 inch (102×152 mm) | 8 photos — 2 columns × 4 rows |
| A4 (210×297 mm) | Up to 24 photos — 5 columns × 5 rows |
| Letter (216×279 mm) | Up to 24 photos — 5 columns × 5 rows |
Bulgarian passport photos follow the EU/ICAO biometric standard. The Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs requires strict compliance with these specifications.
Glasses are NOT allowed in Bulgarian passport photos. You must remove all eyeglasses before the photo is taken, even if you wear them daily.
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria — Consular Services
You don't need a professional studio. Follow these simple steps to take a compliant Bulgarian passport photo at home using your smartphone.
Any modern smartphone camera (iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, etc.) can take 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 1.5 meters (5 feet) 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. Do not smile, frown, or make any exaggerated expressions.
Comparison of acceptable and unacceptable passport photos
A Bulgaria passport photo must be exactly 35×45 mm (3.5×4.5 cm), following the standard EU/ICAO biometric photo format. Your head should occupy 70–80% of the photograph, with a chin-to-crown measurement of 31–36 mm.
No. Glasses are not permitted in Bulgarian passport photos. You must remove your glasses before taking the photo, even if you wear them daily.
The background must be plain white or light grey. No patterns, objects, shadows, or other people should be visible. If you don't have a white wall, our tool will automatically replace your background with white.
Yes! You can take your passport 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 requirements.
You need to submit 3 identical colour photographs with your Bulgarian passport application. All photos must meet the 35×45mm size requirement.
No, hats and head coverings are not allowed unless worn daily 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.
Your passport photo must have been taken within the last 6 months. It should accurately reflect your current appearance.
Yes. As an EU member state, Bulgaria follows the standard EU/ICAO biometric photo specifications: 35×45 mm, white background, neutral expression, no glasses, and the head occupying 70–80% of the frame.
