Italy passport photo size
An Italian passport photo is 35 × 45 mm in colour on a white, evenly lit background, with the face filling 70–80% of the photo from the base of the chin to the hairline. Export one print or a 4 × 6 in sheet for high-definition photo paper.
- Document
- Passport
- Photo size
- 35 × 45 mm
- Chin to crown
- 70–80% of the height
- Background
- White with uniform light
- Photo age
- No more than 6 months old
- Print export
- 413 × 531 px at 300 ppi, 8 copies per 4 × 6 in sheet
Measured from the base of the chin to the hairline, not the crown; no millimetre value is published.
The passport application takes one printed photo; the face must fill 70–80% of the photo from the chin to the hairline.
One recent colour print on high-quality, high-definition photo paper, ICAO compliant.
Place the crown and chin at the guide lines and the eyes in the band when one is shown. The oval is an approximate placement guide, not a face measurement or approval check.
This authority publishes no head height: keep the face centred with space above the head and the shoulders visible.
Italian passport photo dimensions
The print is 35 × 45 mm. The Polizia di Stato gives the head size only as a percentage: the face covers 70–80% of the photo from the base of the chin to the forehead hairline, not to the crown, and publishes no millimetre value. The photo must be no more than 6 months old.
Background, paper and framing
The background is white with uniform light. The single recent colour photo is printed on high-quality, high-definition paper, front view, ICAO compliant, with only the applicant in the frame, the face centred and in sharp focus, no flash reflections or red eyes.
Glasses and head coverings
Glasses are allowed without coloured lenses or heavy frames; the frame must not cover any part of the eyes and must not reflect the flash. Head coverings are allowed only for religious reasons, with the contours of the face clearly visible.
Expression and the hairline guide
Keep a neutral expression with lips closed, eyes open and clearly visible, looking at the lens. Because Italy measures to the hairline, the preview’s chin and crown lines show the 70–80% band; place the hairline near the upper line rather than the top of the hair.
How to take a valid photo
The shared ICAO points first, then what this authority adds.
- Have someone else take the photo at eye level from a few steps away; most authorities reject selfies.
- Face the camera straight on with your head level, both eyes open, mouth closed and a neutral expression.
- Light the face evenly: no shadows on the face or the background, no flash reflections, no red-eye.
- Keep the photo as taken: no filters, retouching, background replacement or AI edits.
- Only you in the frame, nothing covering the face, hair away from the eyes, no uniform.
- Leave space around the head and shoulders so the crop can follow the guide.
- No coloured lenses or heavy frames; the frame must not cover any part of the eyes; no flash reflections.
- Head coverings only for religious reasons, with the face contours clearly visible.
- Neutral expression, lips closed, eyes open and clearly visible, looking at the lens.
- Only you in the frame, face centred, sharp focus, no red-eye.
Official sources
Requirements checked on 27 October 2026 against the official pages below. The issuing authority makes the acceptance decision; nothing on this page certifies a photo.
To compare formats, see passport photo sizes by country.
Related free photo tools
- Free toolPassport photo size by countryCompare passport photo sizes and official application rules for 40 countries. Align a private head guide; export prints, 4 × 6 in sheets and upload files where the authority allows it.
- Free toolJapan passport photo sizeJapanese passport photos are 35 × 45 mm with the head 34 ± 2 mm and the crown 4 ± 2 mm below the top. Crop a borderless print or a JPG under 600 KB for MyNaPortal.
- Free toolMalaysia passport photo sizeMalaysian adults are photographed at the passport counter; children under 4 bring a 35 × 50 mm print and visa applicants upload a 35 × 50 mm file (25 KB for ESD). Crop here.
- Free toolMexico passport photo sizeMexican passport photos are normally captured at the SRE office or consulate with your biometrics. Exceptionally two white-background prints may be requested; see the rules.
Frequently asked questions
What size is an Italian passport photo?
35 × 45 mm with the face at 70–80% of the height from chin to hairline.
Does Italy publish the head height in millimetres?
No. Only the 70–80% rule is given, measured from the base of the chin to the hairline.
Can the background be grey?
No. The Polizia di Stato asks for a white background with uniform light.
Where do the ICAO rules for consulates come from?
The Foreign Ministry’s ICAO guideline page repeats the same 35 × 45 mm and 70–80% rules for applications at consulates.