Austria Passport Photo Requirements & Guidelines

Austria follows the EU biometric standard for its passport photo, so the 35 × 45 mm image must satisfy strict ICAO facial-recognition rules. As a Schengen member, Austria applies the same careful checks on head size, expression, and background that catch out applicants across Europe.

This guide breaks down every current Austria passport photo rule for 2026 — the 35 × 45 mm size, the light background, the 32–36 mm head height, the ICAO biometric standard, and the no-glasses rule.

Austria Passport Photo Requirements at a Glance

Here are the core specifications for the Austria passport photo:

Get any one of these wrong and the photo can be rejected, so it is worth checking each before you submit.

Passport Photo Dimensions and Head Position Rules

Exact Passport Size Photo Dimensions

The finished photo must be 35 mm wide by 45 mm tall in a portrait format — the standard EU/Schengen size.

Head Size, Placement, and Photo Measurement

Your head must be centred with a full-face view and a chin-to-crown height of 32–36 mm, facing the camera directly with your head straight and not tilted.

Getting these millimetres right by hand is where most people slip up. The simplest fix is to create your Austria passport photo with a tool that crops and resizes to the exact official spec automatically.

Background Requirements

Acceptable backgrounds

The background must be plain, light, and evenly lit — a white or light grey is accepted. Stand a short distance in front of a clean wall and light it evenly so it shows no shadow.

Common background mistakes

• Coloured, patterned, or textured walls
• Shadows falling behind the head from uneven lighting
• A background that is not uniform
• Other people or objects in the frame

Pose, Expression, and Lighting Rules

Expression and eyes

Keep a neutral expression with your mouth closed and both eyes open and clearly visible. Face the camera directly — no smiling or head tilt — so the photo meets the biometric standard.

Lighting

Use even, front-facing light so there are no shadows on your face or background. Keep your hair clear of your eyes and make sure both edges of your face are visible.

ICAO Biometric Standard and the No-Glasses Rule

Compliant with ICAO

The photo must meet the ICAO biometric standard so it can be used for facial recognition on the passport's electronic chip. This is why expression, lighting, and head position are checked strictly.

No glasses

In line with EU and ICAO guidance, glasses should be removed for the photo. The eyes must be fully visible with no glare, tint, or frames covering them.

Head Coverings and Other Restrictions

Head coverings

Head coverings are not permitted except for documented religious reasons, and even then the full face must be visible from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead.

Other restrictions

No hats, headphones, or visible wireless devices, and no filters or retouching that change your appearance. The photo must be a true, current likeness.

Digital vs. Printed Passport Photo Specifications

Printed photo

For in-person lodgement, bring a recent 35 × 45 mm colour print on photo-quality paper with a plain light background and the correct head position.

Digital photo

Where a digital biometric photo is captured or uploaded, the same composition rules apply — 35 × 45 mm proportions, a 32–36 mm head height, a neutral expression, no glasses, and a plain light background. Only the delivery format changes.

Top Reasons Austria Passport Photos Get Rejected

• Head too small or too large — outside the 32–36 mm range
• Background not uniform, or shadows behind the head
• Glasses left on, or glare on the lenses
• Any expression other than neutral
• Head tilted or turned rather than straight to camera
• Hair covering the eyes or face edges
• Old photos taken more than six months ago

How to Meet Austria's Passport Picture Requirements at Home

1. Stand 2–3 feet from a plain, evenly lit wall — you will set a compliant light background afterwards.
2. Have someone photograph you at eye level from about 4 feet away, or use a tripod and timer.
3. Face the camera directly with a neutral expression, eyes open, mouth closed, and no glasses.
4. Keep your head straight, with the line between your eyes level.
5. Upload it to a tool that sets a white or light grey background and crops to the exact 35 × 45 mm spec.
6. Download the print-ready file, or a high-resolution version for digital use.

Beyond Austria: Other Countries' Requirements

Specifications differ widely between countries — Austria shares the 35 × 45 mm Schengen size, while the US uses a 2 × 2 inch square and Canada a 50 × 70 mm photo. If you travel or apply internationally, you can check the rules and generate a compliant photo using our passport photo tool for 150+ countries.

Conclusion

A compliant Austria passport photo comes down to three things: the 35 × 45 mm size with a 32–36 mm head height, a plain light background, and a neutral, glasses-free photo that meets the ICAO biometric standard. Nail those and you avoid the most common rejection reasons.