Italy Passport Photo Requirements 2026
Complete guide to italy passport photo specifications, size, background, and compliance rules. Updated 2026-01-10.
Italian passport photos (fototessere) must be 35x45mm with a white or off-white background, following the standard European biometric format. Glasses are permitted as long as the eyes are clearly visible with no reflections on the lenses, and the head must be straight and centred in the frame. Digital submissions require 600x750 pixels at 300 DPI in JPEG format, with file sizes between 50 KB and 5 MB, and must comply with the ICAO 9303 standard. These rules are enforced by the Polizia di Stato, which handles all Italian passport (passaporto) applications. PassportPic produces ICAO-compliant fototessere from your selfie automatically, backed by our 100% acceptance guarantee.
Photo Specifications
| Photo Size | 35mm x 45mm |
| Pixel Dimensions | 600 x 750 pixels |
| Resolution | 300 DPI |
| Background Colour | White |
| Head Size | 70-80% of frame height |
| File Format | JPEG |
| File Size | 50 KB - 5 MB |
| Document Type | Passport |
Photo Requirements
Facial Expression
Neutral expression, mouth closed
Glasses
Allowed if eyes are clearly visible and no reflections
Head Covering
Not allowed unless for religious reasons
Additional Requirements
- Must comply with ICAO 9303 standard
- Photo must be taken within the last 6 months
- White or off-white background required
- Head must be straight and centred
- Both eyes must be open and clearly visible
- Fototessera format required for printed applications
Common Rejection Reasons
Wrong background
The background must be white — plain and uniform, with no patterns, textures, shadows, or other people visible. Stand about half a metre in front of the wall so your body does not cast a shadow onto it.
Head the wrong size or off-centre
Your head must occupy 70-80% of the frame height, centred, facing the camera square-on. Arm's-length selfies usually fail this measurement — have someone take the photo from 1.2–2 metres away, or use a tool that crops to the specification automatically.
Glasses problems
The rule for Italy Passport photos: allowed if eyes are clearly visible and no reflections. Glare, tinted lenses, or frames covering the eyes are among the most common causes of rejected photos worldwide.
Wrong expression
Required: neutral expression, mouth closed. Smiling with visible teeth, raised eyebrows, or a tilted head can fail automated biometric checks.
Shadows or uneven lighting
Light must fall evenly across your whole face — no shadows on the face or the background, no glare or red-eye from flash. Face a window or place two light sources at 45° either side of your face.
Wrong size or file format
Prints must measure exactly 35mm x 45mm; digital submissions need 600x750 pixels in JPEG format. A photo that looks fine but is sized or compressed wrong is rejected automatically.
For the full list with fixes, read the 12 most common passport photo rejection reasons, or follow our step-by-step at-home photo guide to avoid them from the start.
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Last updated
2026-01-10