Italy Passport Photo Size (35×45mm) — Free Online Maker (2026)

Italian Passport & Visa Photo Maker

Last updated: February 2026 | By Prabir Sarkar

Create perfect 35×45mm fototessera for Italian passport, Schengen visa, and all government documents. Free, instant, and fully compliant! 🍕

Italy Passport Photo Requirements (2025-2026)

Whether you're an Italian citizen renewing your passaporto or a visitor applying for a Schengen visa, you'll need photos that meet the strict Italian and EU standards. 🇮🇹

Italian passport photos follow the standard European 35×45mm format. Our free tool handles all the technical requirements automatically - just upload and go!

Official Photo Specifications (Fototessera)

Photo Dimensions	35mm × 45mm
Digital Size	413 × 531 pixels (300 DPI)
Background	Plain white or light grey
Head Size	32-36mm (chin to crown)
Expression	Neutral, mouth closed
Glasses	Not allowed
Photo Age	Within last 6 months

Photos for Italian Documents

Passaporto Italiano

Italian passport - valid for 10 years for adults.

Create Now → Full Guide →

Carta d'Identità

Italian National ID card - CIE electronic format.

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Schengen Visa

For non-EU citizens visiting Italy.

Schengen Guide → Full Guide →

Patente di Guida

Italian driving license photo.

Create Now →

Important Italian Photo Rules

No Glasses Allowed!

Since 2018, Italy (like most EU countries) does not allow glasses in passport photos. This is to improve biometric recognition. Even clear glasses must be removed!

ICAO Compliant

Italian passport photos follow ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) standards, making them compatible with passport systems worldwide. Our tool ensures your photo meets these strict requirements!

FAQs - Italian Photo Requirements

What size is an Italian passport photo?

Italian passport photos must be 35mm × 45mm - the standard European format. This is also known as "fototessera" format in Italy.

Can I wear glasses in my Italian passport photo?

No, glasses are not allowed in Italian passport photos since 2018. This applies to all types of glasses, including clear prescription glasses.

What background is required?

The background must be plain white or light grey, without any patterns or shadows. Our tool automatically provides a perfect white background.

Where can I renew my Italian passport?

In Italy, you can apply at your local Questura or any Ufficio Passaporti. Abroad, contact your nearest Italian embassy or consulate. Processing typically takes 15-30 days.

Italian Passport Photos — Navigating the Questura System

Why Italy's Process Feels Different

Getting an Italian passport is unlike most countries because the Questura (police headquarters) handles it, not a dedicated passport agency. You walk into a police station, not a government office. This means the process can vary significantly between a small-town Questura in Calabria and the massive headquarters in Milan or Rome. The photo requirements, however, are standardized nationwide: 35×45mm, white background, ICAO biometric compliant.

Italy also has a uniquely complicated fee structure. You need a marca da bollo (revenue stamp) worth €73.50, bought at a tabaccheria, plus a €42.50 payment via bollettino postale at a post office. Combined with the photo requirement, that's three separate errands before you even step into the Questura. Planning ahead saves a lot of back-and-forth.

Where to Apply

Questura di Roma — Via di San Vitale 15, 00184 Roma. Schedule through the agenda online system.
Questura di Milano — Via Fatebenefratelli 11, 20121 Milano. One of the busiest in Italy.
Questura di Napoli — Via Medina 75, 80133 Napoli
Questura di Firenze — Via Zara 2, 50129 Firenze
Italian Embassy Washington DC — 3000 Whitehaven Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
Italian Consulate New York — 690 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10065

Appointments are booked online through the Polizia di Stato passaportonline system. Availability varies wildly — in Rome, you might wait 2-3 weeks for an appointment slot during summer.

Photo Rejection Triggers

Face height not 32-36mm — Italy follows strict ICAO measurements. The Questura officer typically checks this with a ruler or template overlay.
Expression detected — Any movement of the facial muscles beyond resting position. Italian passport officers have a reputation for being very particular about this.
Photo cut unevenly — If you cut the photos yourself from a sheet, uneven edges or borders get flagged. Let the photo shop cut them with a precision cutter.
Background not white — Italy is strict about white specifically. Light grey or ivory, acceptable in some other EU countries, won't pass here.
Heavy jewelry or piercings — Italian guidelines ask for minimal accessories. Large chains, multiple facial piercings, or oversized earrings should be removed.

Total Cost

All in, an Italian passport costs €116.86: that's the €73.50 marca da bollo plus €42.50 via bollettino, plus the small cost of the passport booklet itself (€0.86 from the bollettino). The passport is valid for 10 years for adults. For Italians abroad, consular applications cost about the same but processing can stretch to 3-6 months in some consulates due to high demand — Italian passport applications are among the most backlogged in European consular networks.