Photo requirements · Italy

Italy Passport Photo Requirements 2026

An Italian passport photo must be 35×40 mm on a plain light background — typically white or very light grey. The head, from chin to crown, must measure between 32 and 36 mm. The Polizia di Stato applies these specifications to Italian passports and the electronic ID card (Carta d'identità elettronica, CIE).

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Quick specs

Photo size

35 × 40 mm

1.38 × 1.57 inches

Head height

32–36 mm

chin to crown

Background

Plain white or very light grey, uniform across the entire frame.

Authority

Polizia di Stato (Italian State Police)

Documents covered

The same official specification applies to all of the following documents:

Document	Size	Head height
Italy Passport	35 × 40 mm (1.38 × 1.57 in)	32–36 mm
Italy ID Card (Carta d'identità)	35 × 40 mm (1.38 × 1.57 in)	32–36 mm
Italy Visa	35 × 40 mm (1.38 × 1.57 in)	32–36 mm

Detailed requirements

Background

Plain white or very light grey, uniform across the entire frame. No shadows, no patterns.

Expression and eyes

Neutral expression, mouth closed, looking straight ahead. Both eyes open and clearly visible.

Glasses

Glasses are permitted only if they do not cause glare and the eyes are fully visible. Tinted lenses are not allowed.

Headwear

No headwear unless worn daily for religious or medical reasons. The forehead and chin must both be visible.

Recency

The photo must have been taken within the last six months and must reflect your current appearance.

Digital format

For online passport renewal via the Agenda Elettronica system, digital photos must meet ICAO standards: minimum 400×500 pixels, JPEG, under 5 MB.

Country-specific notes

Italy uses a slightly different size from most EU countries — 35×40 mm instead of the more common 35×45 mm.
For CIE applications, the photo is typically taken in person at the Comune (city office) — bring a backup printed photo just in case.
Older biometric specifications may still be referenced at some Questure (police offices) — the 35×40 mm format is the current standard.

Common rejection reasons

These are the most frequent reasons passport offices reject submitted photos.

1 Photo is 35×45 mm instead of 35×40 mm — Italy uses a unique size.
2 Background has any colour or pattern other than white/light grey.
3 Smiling or showing teeth.
4 Glasses cause glare on the lenses.
5 Photo older than six months.
6 Head tilted or not facing the camera.

How to take it yourself in 3 steps

Set up a plain light background

Stand 0.5 m from a plain white or very light grey wall. Use soft daylight in front of you, no shadow behind.

Take a neutral photo

Camera at eye level, 1.5 m away. Look directly ahead, mouth closed, neutral expression.

Verify the Italian format

Photo must be 35×40 mm — not the standard 35×45 mm. Our app produces the correct Italian format automatically.

Frequently asked questions

What size is an Italian passport photo? +

An Italian passport photo is 35×40 mm. The head must be 32–36 mm from chin to crown.

Why does Italy use 35×40 mm instead of 35×45 mm? +

Italy adopted a slightly different national standard. While most EU countries use 35×45 mm, Italian passports and the CIE use 35×40 mm.

Can I use a 35×45 mm photo for an Italian passport? +

Not officially. The Questura may accept it informally, but to be safe, use the official 35×40 mm format.

Are glasses allowed in Italian passport photos? +

Yes, if there is no glare on the lenses and the eyes are fully visible. Sunglasses and tinted lenses are not permitted.

Can I take the photo at home with my phone? +

Yes, provided it meets the 35×40 mm format, plain background, and head-size rules. Our app generates the correct Italian format directly from your phone.

Other countries

Take a photo that passes — automatically.

Open the app, pick your country, and we check every rule before you save.

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