Poland Passport Photo Requirements 2026
A Polish passport photo must be 35×45 mm on a plain light background (white or light grey). The head — chin to crown — must be 32 to 36 mm. The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration applies these biometric specifications to Polish passports, the national ID card (Dowód osobisty), and the driving licence.
Documents covered
The same official specification applies to all of the following documents:
| Document | Size | |
|---|---|---|
| Poland Passport | 35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in) | |
| Poland ID Card | 35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in) | |
| Poland Driving Licence | 35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in) |
Detailed requirements
Background
Plain white or light grey, uniform across the frame.
Expression and eyes
Strictly neutral expression, mouth closed, both eyes open. No smiling.
Glasses
Glasses are not recommended in Polish biometric photos. 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 Polish e-services via mObywatel app, biometric photos must meet ICAO standards at minimum 600×780 pixels.
Country-specific notes
- Poland uses the EU-standard 35×45 mm biometric format across passport, ID card, and driving licence.
- mObywatel digital ID app accepts biometric photo uploads.
Common rejection reasons
These are the most frequent reasons passport offices reject submitted photos.
- 1 Background is not plain white or light grey.
- 2 Smiling or showing teeth.
- 3 Glasses cause glare on the lenses.
- 4 Photo is older than six months.
- 5 Head tilted or not facing camera directly.
How to take it yourself in 3 steps
Plain light background
Stand 0.5 m from a plain white or light grey wall. Diffuse daylight in front, no shadow behind.
Take a strictly neutral shot
Camera at eye level, 1.5 m away. Mouth closed, no smile, no head tilt.
Verify biometric compliance
Photo must be 35×45 mm with head 32–36 mm. Our app verifies each rule before saving.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a Polish passport photo? +
Does the same photo work for the Dowód and driving licence? +
Are glasses allowed in a Polish passport photo? +
Can I take a Polish passport photo at home? +
Take a photo that passes — automatically.
Open the app, pick your country, and we check every rule before you save.