Everything you need to know about Irish passport photo requirements, including exact dimensions, background colour, pose rules, and how to take a compliant photo at home.
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Country | Ireland |
| Document Type | Passport |
| Photo Size | 35 × 45 mm (3.5 × 4.5 cm / 1.38 × 1.77 inches) |
| Accepted Size Range | Minimum 35 × 45 mm, Maximum 38 × 50 mm |
| Resolution (DPI) | 600 |
| Head Size (Face Proportion) | 70–80% of the photo (chin to crown of head) |
| Background Colour | Plain light grey, white, or cream |
| Printable | Yes — on matte or glossy photo-quality paper |
| Digital for Online Submission | Yes — minimum 715 × 951 pixels, JPEG, under 9 MB |
| Number of Photos Required | 4 identical photos (paper application) or 1 digital photo (online) |
| Colour | Colour (black and white also accepted — B&W recommended) |
| Recency | Taken within the last 6 months |
The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has strict requirements for passport photos. Below is a comprehensive guide to ensure your photo is accepted.
Clear prescription glasses are allowed in Irish passport photos, provided:
You don't need a professional studio. Follow these simple steps to take a compliant Irish 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 metres in front of the camera with your head facing directly forward. Keep your shoulders relaxed and your head level — not tilted. The photo should capture from the top of your head to your upper body.
Keep your face relaxed with a neutral expression. Both eyes must be open and your mouth closed. No smiling, frowning, or raising your eyebrows.
Comparison of acceptable and unacceptable passport photos
An Irish passport photo must be 35×45 mm (3.5×4.5 cm). The minimum acceptable size is 35×45 mm and the maximum is 38×50 mm. Your face should occupy 70–80% of the photo, measured from the bottom of your chin to the crown of your head.
Yes, you can wear clear prescription glasses in an Irish passport photo, provided the frames do not cover any part of your eyes and there is no glare or shadows on the lenses. Dark glasses and sunglasses are not permitted.
No. You must maintain a neutral facial expression with your mouth closed. No smiling, frowning, or raising your eyebrows. Your head must not be tilted up, down, or to either side.
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 Irish passport photo requirements.
The background must be plain light grey, white, or cream. There must be clear contrast between your facial features and the background. No shadows, patterns, or objects should be visible. If you don't have a suitable background, don't worry — our tool will automatically replace it.
For a paper passport application, you need 4 identical photos. For online applications via Passport Online, you need 1 digital photo that meets the requirements (minimum 715×951 pixels, JPEG format, under 9 MB).
Head coverings are only permitted for religious or medical reasons, and your facial features must remain clearly visible. Fashion items such as hats, hoods, scarves, and hair accessories are not allowed.
Your passport photo must have been taken within the last 6 months and should reflect your current appearance, including any significant changes to your face such as facial hair, weight changes, or facial piercings.
