Everything you need to know about Switzerland passport photo requirements (Schweizer Pass / Passeport suisse), including exact dimensions, background color, pose rules, and how to take a compliant biometric passport photo. Swiss passports are issued by cantonal passport offices and must meet ICAO biometric standards at 35×45 mm.
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Country | Switzerland (Schweiz / Suisse / Svizzera) |
| Document Type | Passport (Pass / Passeport) |
| Photo Size | 35 × 45 mm (3.5 × 4.5 cm) |
| Resolution (DPI) | 600 |
| Head Size | 70–80% of photo; chin-to-crown distance approximately 32–36 mm |
| Background Color | Plain white or light grey |
| Printable | Yes — on matte or glossy photo-quality paper |
| Digital for Online Submission | Yes (JPEG format accepted) |
| Digital Photo Size | 827 × 1063 pixels (at 600 DPI) |
| Photo Paper Type | Matte or glossy photo paper |
| Color | Color only (black and white not accepted) |
| Glasses | Not allowed |
| Expression | Neutral with mouth closed |
| Number of Photos | 1 (photos are typically taken at the passport office, but you may bring your own) |
| Recency | Taken within the last 6 months |
Switzerland issues biometric passports (Pass 10 / Passeport 10) fully compliant with Schengen Area and ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) standards. The Swiss passport is one of the world's most powerful travel documents, granting visa-free access to over 180 countries. Passports are issued by cantonal passport offices (Passbüros / bureaux des passeports) and are valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for children under 18. Swiss citizens living abroad apply at Swiss embassies or consulates.
Although Switzerland is not an EU member state, it is part of the Schengen Area, and Swiss passport photos follow the same biometric standards as other Schengen countries. Below is a comprehensive guide to ensure your photo is accepted.
Most cantonal passport offices (Passbüros / bureaux des passeports) take digital passport photos on-site during your appointment. However, you are permitted to bring your own compliant photo. If you choose to bring your own, it must strictly meet all the biometric requirements listed above. Using our tool ensures your photo is correctly sized, cropped, and formatted before your visit.
You don't need a professional studio. Follow these simple steps to take a compliant Switzerland passport 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 eyebrows, 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, with your shoulders also in the frame.
Keep your face relaxed with a neutral expression. Both eyes must be open and your mouth closed. No smiling, frowning, or showing teeth is permitted for Swiss passport photos. Remember to remove your glasses — they are strictly not allowed.
Comparison of acceptable and unacceptable Switzerland passport photos
A Switzerland passport photo must be exactly 35×45 mm (3.5×4.5 cm). The face should occupy 70–80% of the photo, with the chin-to-crown distance approximately 32–36 mm. There should be at least 3 mm of space from the top of the hair to the top edge of the photo.
No. Glasses are strictly not allowed in Swiss passport photos. This is a firm requirement for biometric compliance. You must remove your glasses before the photo is taken, regardless of whether you wear them daily.
No. You must maintain a neutral facial expression with your mouth closed. No smiling, frowning, or showing teeth is permitted. Both eyes must be open and looking directly at the camera.
Yes! You can take your Switzerland passport photo with any smartphone. Simply upload it to PassportPhoto.help and our AI will automatically crop to the correct 35×45 mm size, remove the background, and ensure it meets all official Swiss passport photo requirements.
The background must be plain white or light grey, with no shadows, patterns, or objects visible. If you don't have a suitable background, our tool will automatically replace it with the correct color.
Your passport photo must have been taken within the last 6 months and should reflect your current appearance, including any significant changes such as facial hair, weight changes, or piercings.
No, hats and head coverings are not allowed unless worn daily for religious or medical reasons. Even then, your full face must be clearly visible from the bottom of your chin to the top of your forehead, and the head covering must not cast shadows on your face.
Yes. While most cantonal passport offices take digital photos on-site during your appointment, you are allowed to bring your own compliant photo. It must meet the 35×45 mm size requirement, have a white or light grey background, and satisfy all other biometric standards. Using our tool ensures compliance before your visit.
Source: ch.ch — Swiss Travel Documents
Last updated: 2026-05-04
