Photo requirements · Spain

Spain Passport Photo Requirements 2026

Spanish passport and DNI (national ID) photos are 26×32 mm on a plain light background — smaller than the typical EU size. The head must be centered, looking straight at the camera. Spanish visa applications use the larger 35×45 mm Schengen standard. All documents are issued by the Dirección General de la Policía.

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Quick specs

Photo size

26 × 32 mm

1.02 × 1.26 inches

Head height

– mm

chin to crown

Background

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

Authority

Dirección General de la Policía

Documents covered

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

Document	Size	Head height
Spain Passport	26 × 32 mm (1.02 × 1.26 in)	—
Spain DNI (National ID)	26 × 32 mm (1.02 × 1.26 in)	—
Spain Visa	35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in)	32–36 mm

Detailed requirements

Background

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

Expression and eyes

Neutral expression, mouth closed, both eyes open, no smile.

Glasses

Glasses are allowed only with clear, non-tinted lenses and no glare. Sunglasses are not permitted.

Headwear

No headwear unless worn daily for religious or medical reasons. The face must be fully visible.

Recency

The photo must have been taken within the last six months.

Digital format

For online renewals via the Cita Previa system, the photo is typically taken at the police station — home-taken photos are used for backup or local document purposes.

Country-specific notes

Spain uses a smaller 26×32 mm format for passports and DNI — unique among major countries.
Schengen visa applications submitted in Spain use the standard 35×45 mm size.
In practice, your photo is usually re-taken at the Comisaría (police station) when you apply — bring a printed copy as backup.

Common rejection reasons

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

1 Photo is the standard 35×45 mm instead of the Spanish 26×32 mm.
2 Background is dark or has shadows.
3 Smiling or showing teeth.
4 Glasses cause glare on the lenses.
5 Head not centered or tilted.
6 Photo is older than six months.

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 from in front, no shadow behind.

Take a neutral, centered shot

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

Output Spanish format

Photo must be 26×32 mm for the Spanish passport and DNI. The app outputs the correct format automatically.

Frequently asked questions

What size is a Spanish passport photo? +

A Spanish passport photo is 26×32 mm (portrait orientation), smaller than the typical EU 35×45 mm format.

Does Spain accept a 35×45 mm photo for the passport? +

Not officially — Spain uses its own 26×32 mm size for passports and DNI. The 35×45 mm format is used only for Schengen visa applications.

Is the same photo used for my DNI? +

Yes — the Spanish DNI (national ID) uses the same 26×32 mm format as the passport.

Are glasses allowed in a Spanish passport photo? +

Yes, with clear non-tinted lenses and no glare on the lenses. Sunglasses are never allowed.

Can I take the photo at home? +

Yes, but note that police stations often re-take the photo on the day of your appointment. Our app produces the correct 26×32 mm format if you want to bring a printed backup.

Other countries

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