Italy Passport Photo Requirements & Guidelines

Italy's passport photo — the *fototessera* — follows the EU biometric standard, so it must satisfy strict ICAO facial-recognition rules for the photo stored on the passport chip. A photo that looks fine can still be rejected over glasses, expression, or a head that is the wrong size in the frame.

This guide breaks down every current Italy passport photo rule for 2026 — the 35 × 45 mm size, the white or light grey background, the ICAO 9303 biometric standard, and the no-glasses rule in force since 2018.

Italy Passport Photo Requirements at a Glance

Here are the core specifications for the Italian passport photo (fototessera):

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 fototessera. Note that some Italian consulates or issuing offices may request 35 × 40 mm, so always follow the exact size in your application instructions.

Head Size, Placement, and Photo Measurement

Your face must fill 70–80% of the photo height, with the head measuring 32–36 mm from chin to crown. Face the camera directly with your head straight and your full face visible.

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

Background Requirements

Acceptable backgrounds

Italy accepts a white or light grey background, evenly lit and uniform. White is the most common choice for the passport/ICAO route, but a neutral light grey is also accepted.

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 9303

The photo must comply with the ICAO 9303 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 since 2018

Italy has prohibited glasses in passport photos since 2018, in line with ICAO guidelines. Even clear prescription glasses must be removed, and the eyes must be fully visible with no glare.

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 fototessera on photo-quality paper with a white or light grey background.

Digital photo

Where a digital biometric photo is captured or uploaded, the same composition rules apply — 35 × 45 mm proportions, a 70–80% head ratio, a neutral expression, no glasses, and a plain background. Only the delivery format changes.

Top Reasons Italy Passport Photos Get Rejected

• Glasses left on (not allowed since 2018)
• Head too small or too large — outside 70–80% face coverage
• Wrong size — using the wrong fototessera dimensions for your office
• Background not uniform, or shadows behind the head
• Any expression other than neutral
• Head tilted or turned rather than straight to camera
• Old photos taken more than six months ago

How to Meet Italy's Passport Picture Requirements at Home

1. Stand 2–3 feet from a plain, evenly lit wall — you will correct the 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 fototessera spec.
6. Confirm the exact size your consulate or office requires, then download the print-ready file.

Beyond Italy: Other Countries' Requirements

Specifications differ widely between countries — Italy 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 Italy passport photo comes down to three things: the 35 × 45 mm fototessera size with a 70–80% head ratio, a white or light grey background, and a neutral, glasses-free photo that meets the ICAO biometric standard. Nail those and you avoid the most common rejection reasons.