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Switzerland passport photo size & requirements

Swiss passport photos are 35 x 45 mm with a plain light background and a face height of 32–35 mm.

Switzerland issues its biometric passport (Reisepass) and national identity card (Identitätskarte / Carte d'identité / Carta d'identità) through cantonal civil registration offices (Einwohnerkontrolle / Contrôle des habitants). The photo format — 35 x 45 mm with the face filling 70–80% of the frame (32–35 mm chin to crown) — follows the ICAO biometric standard that Switzerland adopted when it joined the Schengen Area in 2008. Switzerland accepts both plain white and plain light-grey backgrounds, with light grey slightly preferred for biometric contrast purposes.

Switzerland has a 12-month photo recency requirement rather than the more common 6 months — the photo must have been taken within the last year, which is more lenient than most countries. Swiss passport applications can be submitted at the local Gemeindeverwaltung (municipal administration) or at one of the cantonal civil registry offices. Switzerland also has an online passport application service (ordrepasseport.ch) for adult renewals where a digital photo is uploaded. The online service includes a photo validator that checks the ICAO parameters before the application is submitted.

Photo size
35 x 45 mm
Resolution
300 DPI
Head height
Face from chin to crown should be 32–35 mm, filling about 70–80% of the frame
Background
Plain light grey or white
Make my Swiss photo How to print it

Switzerland passport photo requirements

  • Photo must be 35 x 45 mm in line with Swiss biometric passport regulations.
  • Plain light-grey or white background — no gradients, shadows, or objects.
  • Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes clearly open and focused on the camera.
  • Face (chin to crown) must measure 32–35 mm and be centred in the frame.
  • Both ears should be visible where possible; hair must not cover the eyes.
  • No glasses, hats, or accessories that obscure or alter the face.
  • Recent photo taken within the last twelve months.

Common reasons Switzerland passport photos get rejected

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

  • Glasses with any glare or tinted lenses — Swiss biometric processing follows the ICAO standard, and any reflection that obscures part of the eye area is flagged.
  • Background not uniformly plain — Swiss cantonal offices apply the EU biometric background check, and photos with shadows behind the head or any texture in the background are rejected.
  • Head height outside the 32–35 mm range — Switzerland's upper bound (35 mm) is slightly tighter than some other countries (which allow up to 36 mm), meaning a face that fills too much of the frame is also rejected.
  • Both ears not visible where the hairstyle allows — the Swiss biometric standard specifies that ears should be uncovered if possible.
  • Photo printed on non-photographic paper.
  • Photo taken more than twelve months before the application (though the 12-month window is more generous than most countries).

Make your Switzerland passport photo

Use our free passport size photo maker — select Switzerland 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 Switzerland passport photo — free, no signup, no watermark.

Open Passport Size Photo Maker

Select Switzerland 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 Italy flag Italy 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 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)