Spain Passport Photo Requirements — Complete Guide

Official Photo Size

The Spanish passport photo size is 26 mm wide × 32 mm tall — smaller than the standard European 35 × 45 mm. The head must occupy 70% of the photo area. For visa applications, the standard 35 mm × 45 mm size is required. ID cards (DNI) also use 35 × 45 mm. Always verify with the official Ministry of the Interior before submitting.

A phone photo almost never comes out at the right dimensions, so scale it to the sheet: Photo Resizer

Background and Lighting

A plain white background is required for both passport and visa photos. The background must be free of patterns, shadows, and objects. Lighting should be even across the face, with no harsh shadows behind the head. Features must be distinguishable and in contrast against the background. Photos must be in colour.

If no wall in the room is plain enough, swap the backdrop instead: Background Eraser

Expression and Pose

Spanish visa and DNI photos carry an exact expression rule: neutral and non-smiling, mouth closed, eyes open and directed at the camera. The passport photograph expects the same calm posture without a grin, and the head must stay level. Nothing may obstruct identification — dark glasses are refused, and only headwear worn for religious belief or ethnic background is tolerated. Keep hair clear of the eyes so both edges of the face read distinctly across the narrow 26 mm width.

Glasses and Accessories

Dark glasses are not allowed — this applies to both passport and visa photos. No other article that prevents identification of the person is permitted. Prescription glasses should be transparent with no reflections. Hats and headgear are not allowed unless worn for religious belief or ethnic background.

Face Visibility

The Spanish passport is printed smaller than almost any European neighbour: 26 mm × 32 mm, with the head occupying 70% of that tiny sheet. Both edges of the face must stay clearly visible, so a crop that trims the ears or lets hair sweep across the cheek fails. Visa and DNI photos switch to the larger 35 mm × 45 mm format, which is why one print size rarely covers both documents.

Photo Recency

Two recency windows run in parallel in Spain: passport photos must be under six months old, while visa photos must be under three months. That three-month visa rule catches travellers who assume one recent photo covers every Spanish document. Colour on normal photographic paper of good quality is required, and a print from a year ago will be turned away even if the 26 mm × 32 mm dimensions are exact.

How Many Copies You Get

Both passport and visa applications require 2 photos. When you use PicToPassport, you receive a digital file sized exactly for the 26 × 32 mm passport format or 35 × 45 mm visa format, plus a print-friendly layout with multiple copies on a single page. The digital file can be uploaded directly or taken to a photo shop for professional printing.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The most frequent reasons for rejection are using the wrong dimensions (26 × 32 mm for passport, not 35 × 45 mm), wearing dark glasses, and photos older than the allowed period. Other issues include non-white backgrounds, smiling in visa photos, and low-quality prints. Always check the Spain passport photo requirements before submitting.

Baby Passport Photos

No infant exception appears in Spanish guidance, so a baby is framed like an adult on the same 26 mm × 32 mm passport sheet with the head at roughly 70% of its height. Lay the baby on plain white, shoot from above in daylight, and support the head from outside the border. Keep both edges of the face visible, avoid hands or dummies in shot, and take several frames until the gaze is steady and the mouth is relaxed.

Expect a few attempts before one passes, and a tool built for babies makes the first count: Baby Passport Photo Maker

Using PicToPassport

Spain's passport photo is unusually small at 26 mm × 32 mm, while visa and DNI photos use 35 mm × 45 mm — PicToPassport crops to both, free and in your browser. The background is plain white for all three documents, and the head occupies 70% of the passport frame with both edges of the face visible. Output is print-ready: 2 colour photos on good photographic paper, produced on your device with no upload.