Everything you need to know about Spain passport photo requirements, including exact dimensions, background color, biometric ICAO standards, pose rules, and how to take a compliant photo at home.
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Country | Spain (España) |
| Document Type | Passport (Pasaporte) |
| Photo Size | 30 × 40 mm |
| Head Size | 70–80% of the photo (approx. 26–30 mm from chin to crown) |
| 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) |
| Glasses | Not allowed |
| Expression | Neutral with mouth closed |
| Number of Photos | 2 identical photos |
| Recency | Taken within the last 6 months |
Spain issues biometric passports compliant with ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) standards. The Spanish National Police (Policía Nacional) enforces strict photo requirements. Below is a comprehensive guide to ensure your photo is accepted.
Glasses are NOT allowed in Spain passport photos. You must remove all eyewear, including prescription glasses, sunglasses, and tinted lenses. This is an ICAO biometric requirement.
Spain issues biometric passports that include a microchip with your facial biometric data. The photo must meet ICAO standards for facial recognition:
Source: Policía Nacional — Pasaporte
You don't need a professional studio. Follow these simple steps to take a compliant Spain 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 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 or show teeth. Remove your glasses before taking the photo.
Comparison of acceptable and unacceptable passport photos
A Spain passport photo must be exactly 30×40 mm. The face must occupy 70–80% of the photo, with the head measuring approximately 26–30 mm from chin to crown.
No. Glasses are not allowed in Spain passport photos. You must remove all eyewear, including prescription glasses and sunglasses, before taking the photo. This is an ICAO biometric requirement.
No. You must maintain a neutral facial expression with your mouth closed. Both eyes must be open and looking directly at the camera. No smiling, frowning, or exaggerated expressions are permitted.
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 Spanish passport photo requirements.
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, don't worry — our tool will automatically replace your background with white.
You need 2 identical recent passport photos for a Spain passport application. Both photos must meet the same 30×40 mm biometric requirements and be printed on photo-quality paper.
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.
If your passport photo doesn't meet the requirements, your passport application will be delayed. Using PassportPhoto.help ensures your photo meets all official requirements before you submit your application, saving you time and hassle.
