Italian passport photo requirements
The Polizia di Stato asks for a recent colour photo printed in high definition on good photo paper, with a white, evenly lit background. The office software checks each photo against European rules and flags one that doesn’t meet them, so a poor photo can be refused at the counter.
| Size | 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Head | not stated by the office (the app uses 70–80 % of the height) |
| Background | A plain white background |
| Glasses | No tinted lenses or heavy frames; frames off the eyes; no reflection. |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open, looking straight at the camera |
| Babies | Only the child, facing the camera, neutral, mouth closed: no chair back, toys or other people. |
| Prints needed | 1 |
Source: poliziadistato.it, questure.poliziadistato.it (2026-11-09). Italy says the face fills 70–80 % of the photo from the chin to the forehead; the app sizes the head (chin to crown) to the international guide, which matches that.
Taking a Italian passport photo
Stand in front of a plain white background. Glasses are a risk: take them off if they catch the light. Keep a neutral face with your mouth closed. For a baby: Only the child, facing the camera, neutral, mouth closed: no chair back, toys or other people.
Printing Italian passport photos
8 fit on a 4×6 print, 9 on a 5×7, 25 on A4 and 25 on US Letter; the office wants 1.
Questions
What size is a Italian passport photo?
35 × 45 mm, with the head 31.5–36 mm from the chin to the top of the head.
Other photos
- 35 × 45 mm photo 35×45 mm
- UK passport 35×45 mm
- Schengen visa 35×45 mm
- German passport (applying abroad) 35×45 mm
- Every passport and visa photo