EU passport photo online
A biometric 35×45 mm photo to the ICAO standard used for passports and ID cards across the European Union.
Fit your face in the oval and your shoulders under the line. Look straight at the camera, mouth closed, no smile. Best by a light wall, facing a window.
Photo requirements
Print the 4×6 in (10×15 cm) sheet at any photo lab or kiosk: 4×6 size, borderless, no scaling (100%). Then cut along the gray lines.
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EU passport and ID photo requirements
EU countries follow the ICAO biometric standard for passports and national ID cards. The details differ a little from country to country, but the core is the same: 35×45 mm, a precise head size and a plain light background.
| Rule | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Size | 35×45 mm, biometric, ICAO |
| Head | 32-36 mm, chin to crown |
| Above the head | 3-5 mm |
| Background | plain, light: white or light gray |
| Face | neutral, mouth closed, looking straight ahead |
| How many | usually 1-2 |
Check how your country accepts photos
Some countries have moved to digital-only photos. Germany, for example, has accepted passport and ID photos only as digital files from certified photographers or taken at the office since May 2025, so printed photos are no longer accepted there. Other countries still accept prints. Before you print, check the rules of the office handling your application.
Where printed photos are accepted, this tool gives you a correctly framed photo and print sheets. Where they aren't, you can still use the checks to see what a compliant photo looks like.
How to take an EU passport photo at home
- Stand by a light wall facing a window. Daylight from the front gives even light without shadows.
- Take off glasses if you can. Many countries allow them, but glare is a frequent reason for rejection.
- Have someone take the photo at eye level from about 1.5 m (5 ft).
- Upload it and choose EU passport and ID. Pick white or light gray.
- Check head size (32-36 mm), light and tilt, then download the 4×6 in sheet with 6 photos or the A4 sheet with 20.
Printing correctly
Order 4×6 in (10×15 cm) prints borderless and without fitting or cropping. If the lab scales the image to fit, each photo shrinks to around 33×43 mm and gets refused. Measure one with a ruler after printing: it should be exactly 35 mm wide.
Why biometric photos fail
- head too small or too large for the 32-36 mm range;
- shadow behind the head or on one side of the face;
- smiling, open mouth or tilted head;
- retouching or filters. We don't touch your face, only the crop and background.
Visas
For a Schengen visa rather than a passport, use the Schengen visa photo page; the size is the same, and the page covers visa center specifics.
Free preview
Checks and preview are free with a watermark. Clean files come in a $6.99 set or with Pro Photo from $2.99 a day.
FAQ
What size is an EU passport photo?
35×45 mm with the head 32-36 mm, following the ICAO biometric standard.
Does Germany accept printed passport photos?
Since May 2025 Germany only accepts digital photos from certified photographers or taken at the office.
White or gray background?
Both are common. If your country doesn't specify, white is the safe choice.
How many photos fit on a 4×6 sheet?
6 photos of 35×45 mm. An A4 sheet fits 20.