Italian passport photo rules set by the Polizia di Stato
The Italian passport photo (fototessera per il passaporto) is governed by the Polizia di Stato under the Ministero dell’Interno, with consular issuance handled by MAECI for citizens abroad. The specification is published in the official Polizia di Stato photo guide and aligns with ICAO Doc 9303, the international biometric standard used for machine-readable travel documents.
The 35×45 mm format is shared with the Carta d’Identità Elettronica (CIE), though the passport requires a plain white background while the CIE permits a wider palette. Italian photo booths frequently default to the 35×40 mm ’formato tessera’, which is not acceptable for the passaporto, so the correct passport dimensions must be specified.
Enforcement at the Questura is strict, and individual offices vary in how rigorously they apply each rule. A photo that fails the official criteria will be refused at the counter, requiring the applicant to retake it and return, which delays the issuance of the passport.
Italian passport photo rules from the Polizia di Stato
The Polizia di Stato and MAECI consulates apply ICAO 9303 standards to Italian passport photos. The following rules govern how the applicant must appear in the final image.
Expression & pose
- Neutral expressionAdults must hold a neutral expression. Smiling, frowning, and raised eyebrows are grounds for rejection.
- Mouth closedThe mouth must be fully closed with no teeth visible.
- Eyes open and forwardEyes must be open, clearly visible, and looking directly at the camera lens.
- Strict frontal poseThe head must face the camera squarely with no tilt, turn, or inclination. Both sides of the face must be visible.
- Square shouldersShoulders must be level and square to the camera. The upper chest must appear in frame.
Eyewear & lenses
- Prescription glassesGlasses are formally permitted only if the lenses are completely clear, the eyes are fully visible, the frames do not cover any part of the eyes, and there is no glare on the lenses. Italian Questure and consulates frequently reject photos containing glasses, so removing them is recommended.
- Tinted lenses and sunglassesTinted lenses and sunglasses are prohibited.
- Heavy framesThick or heavy frames that obscure any part of the eye are not accepted.
- Contact lensesClear corrective contact lenses are permitted. Cosmetic or colored lenses that alter the natural appearance of the iris are prohibited.
Hair
- Face contour visibilityHair must not cover the eyes, eyebrows, or the contour of the face from chin to forehead.
- Bangs and fringesBangs are acceptable provided they do not fall over the eyebrows or cast shadows on the eyes.
- Wigs and hairpiecesWigs and hairpieces are accepted when they form part of the applicant’s daily appearance.
Headwear
- General ruleHats and head coverings are prohibited.
- Religious exceptionReligious head coverings are permitted. The face must remain fully visible from the base of the chin to the forehead and from ear to ear, with no shadows cast on the face. Some Questure require written justification for religious headwear.
- Plain fabric preferredPermitted head coverings should be plain and non-patterned so that they do not interfere with facial recognition.
Jewelry & accessories
- EarringsSmall, non-reflective earrings are accepted. Large or highly reflective pieces that draw attention away from the face are not.
- NecklacesNecklaces are accepted provided they do not obscure the neckline or distract from the face.
- Facial piercingsFacial piercings are accepted as long as they do not obscure facial features or produce reflections.
- Hair accessories and headphonesClips, bands, ribbons, headphones, and earbuds are prohibited.
- Hearing aidsHearing aids are permitted as medical devices.
Cosmetics
- Natural makeup onlyMakeup must look natural and must not alter the applicant’s baseline appearance. Heavy contouring and transformative makeup are grounds for rejection.
- False eyelashesFalse eyelashes that dramatically alter the shape of the eye are prohibited.
- Permanent featuresPermanent facial tattoos are accepted as part of the applicant’s normal appearance.
Clothing
- Uniforms prohibitedMilitary, police, and other occupational uniforms are not accepted. Religious daily attire is permitted.
- Shoulders and chest coveredThe shoulders and upper chest must appear clothed.
- Color guidanceDarker tops are recommended to provide contrast against the white background. Pure-white garments should be avoided.
Photo quality issues
- Shadows on the faceShadows cast on the face, including those produced by a hat brim or hair, will cause rejection.
- Red-eyeRed-eye is not acceptable and cannot be corrected digitally. The photo must be retaken.
- Subject motionThe applicant must hold still so that facial features are in sharp focus with no motion blur.
Dimensions, resolution & background.
Head position & camera distance.
- Head height, measured from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head, must be between 31.5 mm and 36 mm (roughly 70–80% of the photo height).
- Eyes must sit between 23 mm and 31 mm from the bottom of the photo.
- Top margin (from the top of the head to the top edge): 3–5 mm.
- The head must be centered horizontally in the frame, with a small symmetrical margin on each side.
- Shoulders must be square to the camera and both visible. No three-quarter angles or rotated torso.
- The full face, from chin to crown, must be inside the frame with proper top margin.
Italy accepts more than one size — we generate them all.
Italy publishes more than one acceptable format depending on where you submit your application — domestic passport offices, the official online portal, and regional consulates abroad can each call for a different print or pixel size. We render every variant below from the same source photo, so the head sits at the same physical position across files, and each one arrives in your order email with a clear filename indicating which submission channel it's for.
Italy Passport 35×45 mm
Primary specItaly's recommended print format — accepted at most in-country submissions and the default we render first.
Italy Passport 35×40 mm
Consular printAlternate accepted size — printable for in-person submissions.
How recent the photo must be.
Your passport photo must have been taken within the last six months. A new photo is required sooner whenever your appearance has changed in a way that makes the old photo no longer recognizable.
You need a new photo if you’ve had…
- Facial surgery or a major change to facial structure
- A significant gain or loss of weight that visibly changes your face
- Large facial tattoos or piercings added or removed
- A gender transition that has changed your appearance
You do not need a new photo just because of…
- A new hair color
- Growing or removing a beard or moustache
- Ordinary, minor aging
- A new hairstyle that still leaves the face fully visible
Photos for infants and young children.
The Polizia di Stato relaxes specific rules for young children and infants. All other framing and quality requirements still apply.
Infants (0–11 months)
Newborns and infants under one year may be photographed lying down on a plain white sheet.
- ExpressionThe neutral expression rule does not apply. Any natural expression is accepted.
- EyesOpen eyes are preferred. Closed eyes are accepted if the infant is asleep.
- PoseStrict frontal alignment is relaxed. The face should still be reasonably oriented toward the camera.
- No visible supportParents’ hands, chair backs, toys, pacifiers, and any other supporting objects must not appear in the photo.
Children (1–5 years)
Strict adult rules are eased in practice for this age range.
- ExpressionA natural slight smile is tolerated. A fully neutral expression is not required.
- Eyes and gazeEyes must be open and the child should be looking toward the camera.
- No visible supportNo parental hands or supporting objects may appear in the frame.
Country-specific details to know.
A few Italian particularities sit outside the standard checklist.
Formato tessera trap
Italian photo booths often default to 35×40 mm, marketed as “formato tessera.” The passport requires 35×45 mm. Always confirm the correct size before printing at a booth.
Questura variability on glasses
Although the Polizia di Stato formally permits clear glasses, many local Questure and consulates reject photos containing glasses to avoid ICAO validator failures. Removing glasses for the photo is the safest course.
Photo recency
The photo must have been taken within the last six months. A new photo is required after any significant change in appearance from surgery, trauma, or substantial weight change.
Copies to bring
Practice varies by Questura. Bringing two identical prints is the historically safe recommendation, even where a single copy is now accepted.
As easy as snap, upload, done.
You take a quick picture. We do the spec work and tell you immediately if anything needs a retake.
Free to check. You only pay when you keep it.
Print & paper standards.
If you submit a printed photo with a paper application, the print itself has to meet acceptance-facility standards in addition to the rules above.
- High-quality photographic paper (matte or glossy finish).
- Inkjet and dye-sublimation printing are both accepted.
- No visible pixels, banding, dithering, or printer artifacts.
- The print must be undamaged: no creases, holes, smudges, staples, or pinholes.
- Do not write on the back of the photo.
- 2 identical prints are required.