Ireland Passport Photo Requirements 2026
An Irish passport photo must be 35×45 mm on a plain light grey or off-white background. The head — chin to crown — must be between 30 and 36 mm. The Department of Foreign Affairs applies these specifications. Most applications use the Passport Online service which accepts digital photo upload.
Documents covered
The same official specification applies to all of the following documents:
| Document | Size | |
|---|---|---|
| Ireland Passport | 35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in) | |
| Ireland Driving Licence | 35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in) | |
| Ireland Public Services Card (PSC) | 35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in) |
Detailed requirements
Background
Plain light grey or off-white. Pure white is acceptable. No patterns or shadows.
Expression and eyes
Neutral expression, mouth closed, both eyes open. No smiling.
Glasses
Glasses are discouraged. If worn, no glare and eyes fully visible.
Headwear
No headwear except for daily religious wear that does not cover the face.
Recency
The photo must have been taken within the last six months.
Digital format
For Passport Online, digital photos must be JPEG at minimum 715×951 pixels, between 50 KB and 10 MB.
Country-specific notes
- Ireland's Passport Online service accepts digital photo upload — most adult renewals are now fully online.
- For first-time adult passport applications, a paper photo signed by a Garda is required.
Common rejection reasons
These are the most frequent reasons passport offices reject submitted photos.
- 1 Background is not plain.
- 2 Smiling or showing teeth.
- 3 Glasses cause glare.
- 4 Photo older than six months.
- 5 Insufficient resolution for online upload.
How to take it yourself in 3 steps
Plain light background
Stand 0.5 m from a plain light wall. Diffuse daylight in front, no shadow behind.
Take a neutral shot
Camera at eye level, 1.5 m away. Mouth closed, neutral expression.
Output Irish format
Photo must be 35×45 mm with head 30–36 mm. Our app verifies the rules before saving.
Frequently asked questions
What size is an Irish passport photo? +
Can I use Passport Online with a phone photo? +
Do I need a Garda-signed photo for the Irish passport? +
Does the same photo work for the Irish driving licence? +
Take a photo that passes — automatically.
Open the app, pick your country, and we check every rule before you save.