Polish passport photo rules in plain words
Gov.pl specifies a printed photo of 35x45 mm (1.38 x 1.77 in) at 300 DPI. The face must fill 70-80% of the photo, which works out to 31.5-36 mm from chin to crown (the millimetre values are computed from the percentage). The background must be white, evenly lit and free of shadows.
- Copies: 1.
- Age of photo: taken within the last 6 months.
- Glasses: allowed if there is no glare; dark glasses are not accepted.
- Head covering: only religious, 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. Hold the phone at eye height, look straight into the lens and keep a neutral expression. Make sure the face fills most of the frame, so that it will reach the 70-80% range after cropping.
- Leave no shadows behind your head by standing a little away from the wall.
- Take off dark or tinted glasses; clear glasses must have no reflections.
- Do not wear a hat or other headwear unless it is religious.
IDPhotoly processes the image in your browser without uploading it, crops it to 35x45 mm, replaces the background with white and checks that the head falls within the correct range.
Common reasons for rejection
- Face too small or too large. The face must fill 70-80% of the photo.
- Shadows on the background. The white background must be evenly lit.
- Dark glasses. They are not accepted.
- Headwear. Only religious head coverings are allowed.
- Old photo. It must be taken within 6 months.
Printing the photo
The Polish passport application uses a printed photo. Download the file and print 1 copy at 35x45 mm and 300 DPI on photo paper, then submit it with your application.
Tips for a clean result
Keep your shoulders level and your head upright, and avoid retouching. Use the same file that passed the compliance check when you order prints, because resizing it afterwards can change the face proportion.
Payment is one-time, and you receive a full refund if an authority rejects the photo.
Final checks before you submit
The Polish rule is stated as a percentage of the photo rather than a fixed head height, so the safest approach is a straight-on, well-framed portrait. Look at the finished file and check that the top of your head and your chin are visible and that the face takes up most of the frame. If the print shop adds borders or shrinks the image, ask for the exact 35x45 mm size.