Spain Biometric Photo Size
35×45 mm, ICAO 9303
How should a Spain passport photo look?
Spain uses two different sizes for passport and DNI. Passport and Schengen visa: 35×45 mm European standard, head height 32-36 mm. DNI (national ID card) and TIE (foreigner residence card): 32×26 mm: one of Europe's smallest official biometric formats. Both formats require a plain white background; the smaller the print, the faster focus and lighting errors become visible on the DNI output.
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 Spain
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 Spain before applying.
Requirements & Notes
Spanish biometric photo follows Schengen standards. White background required. Photo requires 32×26 mm face size.
The bodies that set the spec
The DNI standard is set by Real Decreto 896/2003; enforcement falls to the Dirección General de la Policía. The passport follows the EU Schengen size and is regulated by the Ministerio del Interior. The photo must be submitted within six months of the capture date.
Workflow after the shoot
Bring the frame into PhotoID Studio. If the customer is applying for a passport or Schengen visa, pick the Spain passport preset (35×45 mm); for a DNI or TIE application, pick the Spain DNI preset (32×26 mm). The app aligns the face, cleans the background to pure white and exports the chosen format at 300 DPI; if the same frame is needed in both formats, both are produced in a single session.
Capture setup and direction
Seat the customer 1.5-2 m in front of the white backdrop with shoulders parallel to the camera. As they enter the studio, ask which document the photo is for and pick the matching preset. 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. High resolution is essential: soft focus shows immediately on the small DNI print. Cue: "chin slightly back, mouth closed, eyes fully open, neutral expression".
Where the comisaría and oficina de extranjería reject
• Wrong format: handing in a 32×26 mm DNI print for a passport, or a 35×45 mm passport print for a DNI application. • A backdrop other than white (cream, grey, blue). • A frame older than six months from the capture date. • Coloured, dark or tinted lenses; eyes not fully visible. • Head too small in the frame; ICAO ratio not met. • A smile, visible teeth, an open mouth. • Hair covering the eyes or the forehead line. • Low resolution; pixelation shows up immediately on the small 32×26 mm DNI print in particular.
Passport, DNI and TIE workflow in Spanish studios
DNI renewals generate steady year-round demand in Spanish studios; passport and Schengen visas form an additional stream, and TIE residence card renewals cycle every five years. PhotoID Studio offers two separate Spain presets: 35×45 mm for passport, 32×26 mm for DNI and TIE. From the same frame, both outputs are produced with a single click when needed.
Used For
- Passport
- DNI identity card
- NIE card
- Visa
- Driver's license
- Residence permit
Official Sources
Official websites where Spain biometric photo size and requirements are verified:
Similar Sizes
Related guides
Passport Photo
ICAO 9303 standard, country sizes and the mistakes that get photos rejected
Passport Photo Software
AI-powered passport, visa and ID photos in seconds: Mac & Windows, fully offline
Passport Photo Requirements
Size, background, head height, glasses and expression: what every authority checks
Passport Photo Size
US 2×2 in, Europe 35×45 mm: every dimension in one chart
Frequently asked questions
- Are the Spanish passport and DNI photos the same size?
No. The passport and Schengen visa use the 35×45 mm European standard. The DNI (national ID) and TIE (foreigner residence card) use 32×26 mm under Real Decreto 896/2003: one of Europe's smallest official biometric formats.
- Can I get both passport and DNI prints from the same shoot?
Yes. If the studio frame is captured at sufficient resolution, PhotoID Studio outputs both formats from two separate presets; no second session is needed.
- Can I wear glasses for the photo?
Only if the eyes remain fully visible with no glare on the lenses; tinted or coloured lenses are not accepted.
Author: Murat Duru
Founder of PhotoID Studio: biometric photo software
·
Create Spain Biometric Photos
Creating Spain-compliant photos with PhotoID Studio takes just seconds. Get professional results with AI face detection and automatic background removal.