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Italy Passport Photo: 35x45 mm Size and Rules

An Italian passport photo is 35x45 mm (1.38 x 1.77 in) with the head 32-36 mm tall on an evenly lit white background. It follows ICAO rules, must be taken within 6 months, and you need 2 printed copies.

  • 35×45 mm
  • White
  • Rules checked October 5, 2026
  1. Document
  2. Photo
  3. Check
  4. Download

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35×45 mm · background: white

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  • Face the camera, keep your head straight and your mouth closed.
  • Stand about 1 m from a plain wall in soft, even light. No shadows on the face.
  • Ask someone else to take it from eye level. Shoulders should be visible.
  • Remove glasses, hats and hair from the face. Religious head coverings are allowed if the face is fully visible.
  • For a baby, lay them on a plain white sheet and photograph from straight above.

How to take a passport photo with your phone

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Fit your face inside the oval. Better: ask someone to take the photo with the back camera.

Italy Passport photo requirements

Official rules summarised. Source: Consulate General of Italy (ICAO photo guidelines). Official page

Photo size
35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in)
Resolution
300 DPI
Head height (chin to crown)
32–36 mm
Background
White
Glasses
Allowed without glare or tinted lenses
Expression
Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open
Head covering
Only for religious reasons, face fully visible
Printed copies
2
Submission
Printed photo

ICAO rules, face 70-80% chin to forehead, taken within 6 months; no tinted lenses or heavy frames.

Correct and incorrect examples

  • CorrectCentred, neutral, even light

  • Too closeHead fills the frame

  • Head tiltedKeep your head level

  • ShadowsLight from one side

  • GlassesReflections hide the eyes

  • SmilingMouth must be closed

  • Hair over the eyesEyes and eyebrows must be visible

  • Busy backgroundUse a plain, light wall

Italian passport photo rules in plain words

The Consulate General of Italy refers to the ICAO photo guidelines. The printed size is 35x45 mm (1.38 x 1.77 in) at 300 DPI. The head must measure 32-36 mm from chin to crown, which is the face taking up 70-80% of the photo from chin to forehead. The background should be white and evenly lit.

  • Copies: 2 printed photos.
  • Age of photo: taken within the last 6 months.
  • Glasses: allowed if there is no glare; tinted lenses and heavy frames are not accepted.
  • Head covering: religious only, with the face fully visible.

How to take the photo at home with a phone

Stand in front of a plain white wall and use even daylight from the front. Keep the phone at eye height, look straight into the lens and keep a neutral expression with both eyes open and your mouth closed. Make sure your whole head, including your hair, is inside the frame.

  • If you wear glasses, choose a thin frame and check for reflections on the lenses.
  • Stand a little away from the wall to avoid a shadow behind your head.
  • Do not use filters or beauty modes.

IDPhotoly processes the image in your browser without uploading it, crops it to 35x45 mm, replaces the background with white and checks the head size.

Common reasons for rejection

  • Tinted lenses or heavy frames. Both are listed as not accepted.
  • Uneven lighting. The background needs to be white and evenly lit.
  • Head outside the 32-36 mm range. The face must fill 70-80% of the photo.
  • Old photo. It must be taken within 6 months.
  • One copy only. The application needs 2 photos.

Printing the photo

This is a printed-photo application. Download the file and print 2 identical photos at 35x45 mm and 300 DPI on photo paper, then bring them to the consulate or office handling your application. Digital submission is not listed for this document.

Tips for a clean result

Keep your shoulders level and your chin parallel to the floor. Avoid retouching, and use the same file that passed the compliance check when you order prints.

Payment is one-time, and you receive a full refund if an authority rejects the photo.

Before you go to the consulate

Because the photo follows ICAO rules, it should look like a standard biometric portrait: neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open and clearly visible, and no hair across the face. Check with the consulate or office handling your application whether it has any additional requirement on print finish, since only the ICAO-based rules and the 2-copy requirement are confirmed here.

Helpful guides

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Frequently asked questions

What size is an Italian passport photo?

It is 35x45 mm (1.38 x 1.77 in), and you need 2 printed copies.

What background is required?

The background should be white and evenly lit.

How large should my head be?

The head should be 32-36 mm from chin to crown, following ICAO rules (face 70-80% chin to forehead).

Can I wear glasses?

Glasses are allowed if there is no glare, but tinted lenses and heavy frames are not accepted.

How recent must the photo be?

It must be taken within the last 6 months.

Related photo requirements

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Page updated October 5, 2026. Requirements can change. Always check the official page before you apply.