Sweden Passport Photo Requirements 2026
A Swedish passport photo must be 35×45 mm on a plain light background. The head — chin to crown — must be 32 to 36 mm. The Swedish Police (Polisen) issues both passports and the Swedish national ID card. In practice, Polisen captures the biometric photo on-site at your appointment using their own equipment.
Documents covered
The same official specification applies to all of the following documents:
| Document | Size | |
|---|---|---|
| Sweden Passport | 35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in) | |
| Sweden ID Card | 35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in) | |
| Sweden Driving Licence (Körkort) | 35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in) |
Detailed requirements
Background
Plain white or light grey. No textures, patterns, or shadows.
Expression and eyes
Strictly neutral expression, mouth closed, both eyes open. No smiling.
Glasses
Glasses are not allowed in Swedish biometric photos. Remove them for the photo.
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
Polisen captures the biometric photo on-site — no upload needed for in-person applications.
Country-specific notes
- Polisen captures the biometric photo on-site at the passport or ID card appointment.
- Glasses are not allowed in Swedish biometric photos.
Common rejection reasons
These are the most frequent reasons passport offices reject submitted photos.
- 1 Wearing glasses.
- 2 Smiling or showing teeth.
- 3 Background is not plain or has shadows.
- 4 Head tilted or not facing camera squarely.
- 5 Hair covering eyebrows or eyes.
How to take it yourself in 3 steps
Backup photo prep
Stand 0.5 m from a plain light wall. Diffuse daylight in front, no shadow behind.
Remove glasses, neutral expression
Camera at eye level, 1.5 m away. No glasses, mouth closed, neutral expression.
Polisen captures the real photo
At your appointment Polisen takes a biometric photo. Your backup is useful if their equipment fails.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a Swedish passport photo? +
Does Polisen take my photo at the appointment? +
Can I wear glasses for a Swedish passport photo? +
Does the same photo work for the Swedish ID card? +
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