Can I take my own Ireland passport photo?

Yes! You can take your own photo and use our free tool to crop it to the exact 35×45mm size required by the Passport Service.

Ireland Passport Photo Size & Requirements

Q: What size is an Irish passport photo?

Irish passport photos must be 35×45mm (1.4×1.8 inches) with a white or light grey background.

Ireland Passport Photo Requirements

Last updated: February 2026 | By Prabir Sarkar

Create your perfect Irish passport photo in seconds – guaranteed to be accepted by the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Quick Overview: Irish Passport Photo

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Photo Size

35 × 45 mm

1.4 × 1.8 inches

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Background

White/Light Grey

Plain, no patterns

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Digital Size

413 × 531 px

At 300 DPI

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Photo Age

6 months

Must be recent

Céad míle fáilte! ☘️ Planning to get or renew your Irish passport? Whether you're Irish by birth, descent, or naturalization, you'll need photos that meet the Passport Service's exact specifications.

The Irish passport is one of the most powerful in the world, offering visa-free access to over 180 countries. Plus, it's an EU passport – making travel throughout Europe a breeze!

What Documents Need Irish Photo?

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Irish Passport

Standard passport – 10 years for adults, 5 years for under 18

See requirements →

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Passport Card

Credit-card sized ID for travel within EU and some other countries

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Ireland Visa

For non-EU nationals visiting or residing in Ireland

See requirements →

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Irish Driving Licence

NDLS driving licence photo requirements

How to Take Your Irish Passport Photo

Find good lighting

Natural daylight works best. Avoid harsh shadows on your face.

Use a white or light grey background

A plain wall works perfectly. Or use our AI background removal!

Upload to VisaPicPro

Select "Ireland Passport" preset and let us do the rest!

Download & Use

Get your perfect 35×45mm photo for Passport Online or print for paper application.

Passport Service Photo Guidelines

Official Requirements (Department of Foreign Affairs)

DO

✓ Face the camera directly
✓ Keep neutral expression
✓ Both ears visible
✓ Eyes open and visible
✓ Mouth closed
✓ White or light grey background

DON'T

✗ Smile with teeth showing
✗ Wear glasses (since 2016)
✗ Wear hats or head coverings
✗ Cover face with hair
✗ Have shadows on face
✗ Use filters or edits

Frequently Asked Questions

What size is an Irish passport photo?

The Irish passport photo size is 35×45mm (3.5×4.5cm). This is the standard European size used across EU countries.

Can I wear glasses in my Irish passport photo?

No, glasses have not been allowed in Irish passport photos since 2016. This applies even to prescription glasses – you must remove them for the photo.

How much does an Irish passport cost?

In 2026, the standard adult 10-year passport costs €75 online (€80 by post). A 5-year passport for under 18s is €20 online (€30 by post). Passport Card costs €35 online.

Can I apply for an Irish passport online?

Yes! Passport Online (dfa.ie) is the fastest way to renew or get a first adult passport. You can upload your digital photo directly – making our tool perfect for this!

Irish Passport Photo Guide — Passport Online Makes it Easier

Ireland's Digital-First Approach

Ireland was one of the early adopters of fully online passport applications, and it shows. The Passport Online service lets you apply, upload your photo, and pay — all without leaving your house. The system automatically validates your photo against biometric requirements, and if something's off, it tells you immediately rather than weeks later via post. It's genuinely well-designed.

That said, the photo requirements are strict. Ireland uses the standard 35×45mm format with a white background. The face must be 25-35mm from chin to crown. No smiling — the Irish Passport Office insists on a neutral expression with your mouth closed. Glasses are discouraged (though technically allowed if medically necessary), and the photo must be less than 6 months old.

Where to Get it Done

Passport Online — passportonline.dfa.ie. The fastest method — most passports arrive within 10 working days.
Passport Express (via An Post) — Drop off at any post office. Takes about 15-20 working days.
Passport Office Dublin — Knockmaun House, 42-47 Lower Mount Street, Dublin 2. For urgent in-person applications only.
Passport Office Cork — 1A South Mall, Cork City T12 T279.
Irish Embassy London — 17 Grosvenor Place, London SW1X 7HR.
Irish Consulate New York — 345 Park Avenue, 17th Floor, New York, NY 10154.

Where Photos Go Wrong

Smile detected by the system — Even a very slight upward curve of the lips triggers the automated check. Practice your "passport face" — neutral and relaxed.
Resolution too low for online upload — Passport Online needs at least 715×951 pixels. Phone photos taken in low light or from a distance often fall short.
Fringe/bangs covering eyebrows — Your full forehead and both eyebrows need to be visible. Pin your fringe back if necessary.
Background isn't pure white — Old curtains, bedsheets, or walls with a yellowish tint don't qualify. The system expects clean, bright white.
Photo taken against a window — Backlighting creates a silhouette effect. Face the window instead, or use front-facing artificial light.

Costs

An adult Irish passport (online application) costs €80 and is valid for 10 years. The Passport Express postal option costs €90 plus An Post fees. Children's passports are €30 online (valid for 5 years). The large passport card, handy for EU travel, is €35 online. Emergency appointments at the Dublin or Cork offices cost €110 — same-day or next-day service for proven urgent travel.