European Union photo specifications
Photo sizes and rules for 4 documents issued in European Union, taken from the issuing authorities and linked to their official pages.
At a glance
Two EU-wide documents are covered here. Passports are issued by each member state to its own citizens, usually with a 35 x 45 mm photo, though Spain uses 26 x 32 mm. The EU Blue Card is a residence permit for skilled non-EU workers in 25 member states; it also uses 35 x 45 mm where a print is required, but the photo is often taken at the immigration office.
Overview
The EU sets common security standards and ICAO-based formats, but it does not issue passports or permits itself. National passport authorities issue passports under Council Regulation (EC) No 2252/2004, and national immigration authorities issue the EU Blue Card under Directive (EU) 2021/1883, on the uniform residence permit card of Regulation (EC) No 1030/2002.
Both documents store a facial image on a chip, so both need a biometric, front-facing portrait. What differs from country to country is how the photo reaches the authority: a print, an electronic transfer from a photographer, an e-photo code, or a picture taken at the counter. Schengen visas are a separate case, issued by the consulates of the Schengen states.
Photo specifications by document
Passports
| Document | Print size | Digital size | Background |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passport | 35 × 45 mm | 715 × 951 px | Plain, light-coloured |
Driving licences
| Document | Print size | Digital size | Background |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU driving licence | 35 × 45 mm | 480 × 615 px | — |
Residence and work permits
| Document | Print size | Digital size | Background |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU residence permit | 35 × 45 mm | — | Spain TIE: white |
Other documents
| Document | Print size | Digital size | Background |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue card | 35 × 45 mm | — | Plain and light-coloured under ICAO guidance |
Frequently asked questions
Not a single one. EU law requires passports to carry a facial image and to follow ICAO Doc 9303, which recommends a 45 x 35 mm portrait (height x width). Each member state sets the details, so background colour, size and who takes the photo differ: France bans white backgrounds, Spain uses 26 x 32 mm and Sweden photographs you itself.
The quality standard is the same: the residence permit Regulation refers to ICAO standards and to EU passport specifications. The process differs, because the immigration office often takes the photo itself, as the Dutch IND and German offices do, or asks for an e-photo code, as France does.
Neither is issued by the EU. Passports come from each member state's passport authority, and the EU Blue Card from the immigration authority of the member state where you will work. Denmark and Ireland do not issue the Blue Card.
Nearby countries
Other countries in Supranational:
Official sources
- EUR-Lex, Publications Office of the European Union. Council Regulation (EC) No 2252/2004 eur-lex.europa.eu. Checked 1 November 2026.
- EUR-Lex, Publications Office of the European Union. Directive (EU) 2021/1883 eur-lex.europa.eu. Checked 1 November 2026.
- European Commission, Migration and Home Affairs. EU Blue Card (EU Immigration Portal) home-affairs.ec.europa.eu. Checked 1 November 2026.
Cite this page
"European Union photo specifications". WorldPhotoSpecs. Last updated 4 November 2026. https://worldphotospecs.org/european-union