Complete guide to European Union passport photo requirements governed by ICAO Document 9303 (Machine Readable Travel Documents) biometric standards. These specifications apply to all 27 EU member states and are designed for compatibility with automated facial recognition at border control e-gates across the Schengen Area.
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Region | European Union (27 member states) |
| Document Type | Passport (Standard EU biometric passport) |
| Photo Size | 35 x 45 mm (3.5 x 4.5 cm) |
| Resolution (DPI) | 600 |
| Face Size | 32-36 mm (chin to crown) |
| Head Proportion | 70-80% of the photograph |
| Background Colour | Plain white or light grey |
| Digital Photo Size | 826 x 1062 pixels (600 DPI) |
| Colour | Colour only |
| Photo Paper Type | Matte photo paper |
| Recency | Within 6 months |
| Number of Photos | Varies by member state (1-2) |
EU passport photos follow the ICAO Document 9303 standard for Machine Readable Travel Documents, as implemented through EU Council Regulation 2252/2004. These standards ensure biometric compatibility for automated facial recognition at border control across the Schengen Area. Below is a comprehensive guide to ensure your photo is accepted by any EU member state authority.
EU passport photo requirements are defined by three key international standards:
The following 27 European Union member states all follow the ICAO 9303 photo standard for biometric passports:
The rules on glasses vary by EU member state. Many countries have moved to prohibit glasses entirely in passport photos:
The number of photos required varies by member state (typically 1-2). Check with your national passport authority for the exact number. Printed photos must meet these requirements:
Source: ICAO Document 9303 — Machine Readable Travel Documents
You don't need a professional studio or a photo booth. Follow these simple steps to take a compliant EU 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 colours that blend with the white or light grey background. If you wear religious head coverings daily, you may keep them on as long as your full face is visible.
Remove your glasses before taking the photo to ensure acceptance across all EU countries.
Stand about 1.5 metres (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 head, shoulders, and upper body in the frame.
Keep your face completely relaxed with a neutral expression. Both eyes must be open and your mouth closed. Do not smile — this is essential for biometric facial recognition at EU border e-gates. No squinting, frowning, or any exaggerated expressions.
Comparison of acceptable and unacceptable passport photos
An EU passport photo must be exactly 35x45mm (3.5x4.5cm) based on ICAO 9303 standards. Your face must measure between 32mm and 36mm from chin to crown, occupying 70-80% of the photo. The digital version should be 826x1062 pixels at 600 DPI.
The 35x45mm ICAO 9303 photo format is used by all 27 EU member states: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.
The rules on glasses vary by EU member state. Many countries including France, Germany, and the Netherlands now prohibit glasses entirely. The trend across the EU is towards a complete ban. Where glasses are still permitted, only clear untinted lenses are allowed with no glare or reflection. Sunglasses and tinted lenses are never permitted. We recommend removing glasses before taking your photo to ensure acceptance across all EU countries.
No. EU passport photos require a neutral expression with your mouth closed. Smiling, frowning, and any exaggerated expressions are not permitted. Both eyes must be open and clearly visible. This is required for biometric facial recognition systems used at EU border controls and e-gates.
Yes. You can take an EU passport photo with any modern smartphone. Use the rear camera (not selfie mode) at arm's length or have someone else take the photo. Stand about 1.5 metres from the camera against a plain white or light grey background in good, even lighting. Then use our tool to crop and format the photo to the exact 35x45mm specification.
The background must be plain white or light grey, with no patterns, objects, shadows, or textures. There must be clear contrast between your face and the background. This is specified by ICAO 9303 and EU Council Regulation 2252/2004 for biometric compatibility with facial recognition systems.
Your EU passport photo must have been taken within the last 6 months. It should reflect your current appearance. Some individual member states may have stricter requirements, so always check with your national passport authority.
EU passport photos must meet biometric standards (ICAO 9303, ISO/IEC 19794-5) because they are used for automated facial recognition at border control e-gates across the Schengen Area. The neutral expression, specific face size, and plain background ensure that facial recognition algorithms can accurately match your face at border checkpoints. This speeds up border crossings and enhances security.
