Italy Biometric Photo Size
35×45 mm, ICAO 9303
How should a Italy passport photo look?
Italy uses the 35×45 mm Schengen spec for passport and ID applications; head height is 32-36 mm with a plain light (white or light grey) backdrop. What makes Italy distinct: the applicant brings two identical prints to the Questura counter: one is glued onto the paper application form and fingerprints are captured on-site.
Photo Size
35×45 mm
Head size
70-80%
Eye Position
56% from bottom
Top Margin
3-5 mm
Background Color
White
Standard
ICAO 9303
Real 35×45 mm Biometric Photo Example for Italy
See the top of the head, pupil line, and bottom of the chin on a real PhotoID Studio output.
Photo Size
35 × 45 mm
Head size
%70
Eye Position
%56.0 from bottom
Requirements may vary by document type. Check the official authority's current rules for Italy before applying.
Requirements & Notes
For Italy, the ICAO/Schengen standard is 35×45 mm. Italy visa application centres (iData in Turkey) request 35×40 mm, and both sizes are accepted. White background, taken within the last 6 months.
The bodies that set the spec
The standard is published by Polizia di Stato (Questura) and by MAECI for applications filed abroad. The photo must be submitted within six months of the capture date. The same 35×45 mm spec applies to Italian citizens and to foreign visa applicants.
Workflow after the shoot
Open the frame in PhotoID Studio and pick the Italia preset; the app aligns the face, normalises the backdrop to a light tone and exports 35×45 mm at 300 DPI. Two identical copies are laid out on 10×15 cm paper so the customer carries matching prints to the Questura.
Capture setup and direction
Seat the customer 1.5-2 m in front of the light backdrop with shoulders parallel to the camera. Camera on a tripod, lens at eye level. Standard setup: a 50-85 mm portrait lens, f/8, a softbox at 45° with a reflector opposite. Cue: "chin slightly back, mouth closed, eyes fully open, neutral expression". Glasses are discouraged; if worn, glare must be eliminated.
Where the Questura sends people back
• A backdrop that is not white or light grey (blue, cream, patterned). • A frame older than six months from the capture date. • Two prints that differ in tone, contrast or crop. • Glasses frames cutting across the eye line; visible glare. • A smile, visible teeth or an open mouth. • Hair covering the eyes or eyebrows. • Head too small in the frame; mis-cropped print.
Questura and consulate volume
Passport, carta d'identità and residence permit applications generate steady year-round traffic in Italy, and every file requires two identical prints. The PhotoID Studio Italia preset lays both copies out on 10×15 cm paper from a single frame, so each customer leaves the studio with a Questura-ready set.
Used For
- Passport
- ID card (Carta d'identità)
- Visa
- Residence permit (Permesso di soggiorno)
- Driver's license
Official Sources
Official websites where Italy biometric photo size and requirements are verified:
Similar Sizes
Related guides
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Size, background, head height, glasses and expression: what every authority checks
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US 2×2 in, Europe 35×45 mm: every dimension in one chart
Frequently asked questions
- Is the Italy passport photo 35×45 mm or 35×40 mm?
Both are accepted. The ICAO/Schengen standard is 35×45 mm, while Italy visa application centres (iData in Turkey) request 35×40 mm.
- How many photos do I need to bring in Italy?
Two identical 35×45 mm prints: one is glued onto the paper application form, the second is filed at the Questura counter.
- Does the background have to be pure white?
It only needs to be plain and light: both white and light grey are accepted. Blue, cream and patterned backdrops are rejected.
- Can the same photo be used for a visa application?
Yes. The 35×45 mm spec is the same for Italian citizens and for foreign nationals filing visas.
Author: Murat Duru
Founder of PhotoID Studio: biometric photo software
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