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Italy passport photo size & requirements

Italian passport photos are 35 x 45 mm (EU biometric) with a plain light background and a face height of 32–36 mm.

Italy issues biometric passports (passaporto elettronico) through the Polizia di Stato (State Police) via the local Questura or Commissariato di Polizia. The photo standard follows the EU/ICAO biometric specification — 35 x 45 mm with the face (chin to crown) measuring 32–36 mm and filling 70–80% of the frame. Italy accepts either a plain white or light-grey background, though light grey tends to produce better biometric contrast results, particularly for applicants with very light or very dark complexions.

One important Italian-specific procedural detail: Italian passport applications are processed by the police, not a civil registry office. The photo is submitted in person at the Questura along with the application form (modulo di richiesta) and supporting documents. Italy also offers a fast-track passport service (passaporto urgente) for documented travel within a short window, and the same photo requirements apply. Italy additionally allows the same 35 x 45 mm photo to be used for the Carta d'Identità Elettronica (CIE), the electronic national identity card, which is issued by the Comune (municipality).

Photo size
35 x 45 mm
Resolution
300 DPI
Head height
Face from chin to crown about 32–36 mm
Background
Plain white or light grey
Make my Italian photo How to print it

Italy passport photo requirements

  • Photo must be 35 x 45 mm, following the EU/ICAO biometric standard.
  • Plain white or light-grey background with no objects.
  • Neutral expression, mouth closed, looking straight at the camera.
  • Head filling 70–80% of the frame (about 32–36 mm chin to crown).
  • No glare on glasses; eyes must be clearly visible.
  • Recent photo taken within the last six months.

Common reasons Italy passport photos get rejected

Even a technically correct photo can be turned away for these issues. They come up repeatedly in official rejection notices.

  • Head not centred — Italian police officers at the Questura physically check the photo alignment before accepting it, and a head that is off-centre or slightly rotated is rejected on the spot.
  • Background not uniformly plain — shadows behind the head or a textured background surface (painted brick, patterned wallpaper) are among the most common reasons home photos are rejected.
  • Photo printed on plain printer paper — Italy requires photos on glossy or semi-gloss photographic paper.
  • Face height outside 32–36 mm — both too small and too large are rejected; the 70–80% framing rule is checked visually at the Questura.
  • Glasses with any glare — if glasses are worn, there must be no reflection whatsoever on the lenses.
  • Photo more than six months old, or one that does not reflect current appearance such as a significantly different hairstyle.

Make your Italy passport photo

Use our free passport size photo maker — select Italy from the country list and it will automatically apply the correct size (35 x 45 mm) and background settings for you.

Crop, remove background, and download a compliant Italy passport photo — free, no signup, no watermark.

Open Passport Size Photo Maker

Select Italy in the tool to get the exact 35 x 45 mm preset.

Other countries

United States flag United States 2 x 2 in (51 x 51 mm) Albania flag Albania 35 x 45 mm Australia flag Australia 35 x 45 mm Brazil flag Brazil 3 x 4 cm (30 x 40 mm); US visa applications use 2 x 2 in Canada flag Canada 50 x 70 mm China flag China 33 x 48 mm France flag France 35 x 45 mm Germany flag Germany 35 x 45 mm Iceland flag Iceland 35 x 45 mm India flag India 35 x 45 mm (Indian visa & many applications use 51 x 51 mm / 2 x 2 in) Ireland flag Ireland 35 x 45 mm Japan flag Japan 35 x 45 mm Luxembourg flag Luxembourg 35 x 45 mm Malaysia flag Malaysia 35 x 50 mm Netherlands flag Netherlands 35 x 45 mm New Zealand flag New Zealand 35 x 45 mm Nigeria flag Nigeria 35 x 45 mm Norway flag Norway 35 x 45 mm Pakistan flag Pakistan 35 x 45 mm Philippines flag Philippines 35 x 45 mm (Philippine visa applications often use 2 x 2 in) Russia flag Russia 35 x 45 mm Saudi Arabia flag Saudi Arabia 2 x 2 in (51 x 51 mm) Schengen / EU flag Schengen / EU 35 x 45 mm Singapore flag Singapore 35 x 45 mm South Africa flag South Africa 35 x 45 mm South Korea flag South Korea 35 x 45 mm Spain flag Spain 32 x 26 mm (Spanish ID/passport); EU visas use 35 x 45 mm Switzerland flag Switzerland 35 x 45 mm Thailand flag Thailand 35 x 45 mm Turkey flag Turkey 50 x 60 mm United Arab Emirates flag United Arab Emirates 43 x 55 mm United Kingdom flag United Kingdom 35 x 45 mm Vietnam flag Vietnam 4 x 6 cm (40 x 60 mm)