Select File
or drag and drop files here
The Challenge
Austria requires 35×45mm biometric photos following ICAO 9303 with 70-80% face coverage, light grey or white background, and a strict no-glasses policy since 2024. Professional studios charge €10-18. One rejected photo delays passport processing by weeks.
One photo format for Austrian passports, visas, and national ID
Austria uses standardised 35×45mm biometric photos following ICAO Document 9303 for all official identity documents: Reisepass (passport), Personalausweis (national ID card), Schengen visa applications, ID Austria digital identity registration, and residence permits. Same dimensions, same face coverage requirements. Create one compliant photo and use it across multiple applications within the 6-month validity period.
2024 rule change: glasses are no longer permitted
- Since 2024, Austria prohibits all glasses in passport and visa photos—including prescription glasses
- This applies even if you wear glasses daily—remove them for the photo
- Previous exemptions for prescription lenses no longer apply
- Only exception: documented medical condition requiring eye-covering apparatus (extremely rare)
- This rule aligns Austria with updated EU biometric processing standards
Austrian passport photo requirements — will your photo be accepted?
- 35×45mm dimensions with face height 31.5-36mm (70-80% of frame)
- White or light grey background, plain with no shadows or patterns
- Taken within last 6 months reflecting current appearance
- Face centred, neutral expression, mouth closed
- Both eyes open, fully visible, no hair covering eyes or eyebrows
- No glasses of any kind (rule changed 2024)
- Head straight, facing camera directly—no tilt or rotation
- Minimum inter-pupillary distance 8mm
- Colour photo—black and white not accepted
- At least 826×1063 pixels at 600 DPI for print quality
- Printed on matte photo paper
- No retouching, filters, beauty mode, or digital alterations
- Shoulders visible in frame
Common rejection reasons by Austrian passport authorities
- Wearing glasses (most common since 2024 rule change)
- Face height outside 70-80% range (rejected if face <27mm or >40mm)
- Shadows on face or background
- Photo older than 6 months
- Head tilted or rotated—not facing camera directly
- Hair covering eyebrows or eyes
- Background not plain—patterns, objects, or uneven colour
- Smiling or mouth open showing teeth
- Low resolution causing pixelation when printed
- Black and white photo instead of colour
- Retouched or filtered photo—altered facial features detected
How to print Austrian passport photos at home
- Paper: Use matte photo-quality paper. Available at Müller, MediaMarkt, Saturn, or online.
- Printer settings: Select highest quality, 100% scale (no 'fit to page'), colour mode.
- Paper size: Choose 4R (102×152mm) for 4-6 photos, or A4 for larger sheets.
- Cutting: Use sharp scissors or paper trimmer. Cut precisely along grey guide lines.
- Size verification: Final photos must measure exactly 35×45mm. Use ruler to confirm before submission.
- Alternative: Print at local Foto-Automat, dm Drogerie, Hartlauer, or any photo shop. Specify '35×45mm Passfoto auf mattem Papier'.
Taking passport photos of babies and children
- Setup: Lay baby on plain white or light grey sheet on floor. Ensure no wrinkles or patterns visible.
- Lighting: Natural window light or even overhead lighting. Avoid direct flash. No shadows on face or background.
- Position: Photograph from directly above with baby's face centred in frame.
- Austrian rules: Children under 5 do not need neutral expression or to look directly at camera. Head does not need to be centred.
- Infants under 1: Eyes do not need to be open. This is per ICAO relaxation adopted by Austria.
- Children under 9: Face coverage relaxed to 50-80% of frame. Face from chin to crown must be 22-36mm.
- Support: Hands supporting head must not be visible. Hide support under clothing or behind sheet.
- Props: Remove dummies, toys, bottles. Only the child should be visible in the photo.
- Quantity: Each child needs their own photos—2 identical photos required per child.
Austrian Schengen visa photo requirements
Austria is a Schengen area member. Schengen visa applications (Type C short-stay, Type D national visa) use identical 35×45mm specifications as Austrian passports. Photos must follow ICAO 9303 biometric standards: 70-80% face coverage, white or light grey background, 600 DPI minimum, neutral expression, no glasses. One photo set works for both passport and Schengen visa applications. Digital submissions for online visa applications accept JPEG format.
Personalausweis and ID Austria photo specifications
Austrian national ID cards (Personalausweis) and ID Austria digital identity registration use the same 35×45mm biometric photo specifications as passports. If registering for ID Austria, a current passport photo is required unless you hold a valid Austrian passport (not expired more than 6 years) or Personalausweis (not expired more than 1 year). The same photo works across all Austrian government identity applications.
Good vs bad Austrian passport photo examples
Background requirements: white vs light grey
Austrian authorities accept both white and light grey backgrounds. Official BMEIA documents specify 'plain light background' without mandating a single colour. Light grey often produces better results for fair-skinned individuals by providing natural contrast. Pure white is also accepted and is the safest universal choice. Avoid cream, off-white with yellow tint, blue, or any coloured backgrounds. The background must be completely uniform with no shadows, gradients, or patterns.
Cost comparison: DIY vs photo services in Austria
- Fotograf/photo studio: €10-18 for 4 photos
- dm Drogerie photo booth: €8-12 for 4 photos
- Hartlauer photo service: €8-15 for 4 photos
- Foto-Automat (train station booth): €6-10 for 4 photos
- This tool: Free. Print at home for €0.30-0.60 per sheet (matte paper + ink)
- Savings: €6-18 per application. Family of four saves €24-72 using DIY approach.
Digital submission format for online applications
Austrian e-government portals and some embassy online systems accept digital passport photo uploads. Format: JPEG (.jpg), 826×1063 pixels minimum at 600 DPI. File size should be kept under 300KB for reliable upload processing—this tool generates optimised files within this range. For in-person applications at Bezirkshauptmannschaft, Magistrat, or embassy, printed photos on matte paper are required. Most applications require 2 identical photos; some passport applications require 3.
Official Austrian Government Resources
Step-by-Step Workflow
Upload and Position Face
Select Enhancement Variant
Download or Print Sheet
Specifications
- Photo Size
- 35×45 mm
- Resolution
- 826×1063 pixels at 600 DPI
- Face Height
- 31.5-36 mm (70-80% of frame)
- Background
- White or light grey, plain
- Recency
- Taken within last 6 months
- Expression
- Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open
- Paper Type
- Matte photo paper
- Glasses
- Not permitted (since 2024)
- Valid For
- Passport, Personalausweis, Schengen visa, ID Austria
Best Practices
- Glasses are banned in all Austrian passport and visa photos since 2024—remove them before shooting
- White or light grey backgrounds both accepted—light grey gives better contrast for fair skin
- Face must occupy 70-80% of frame height (31.5-36mm)—use crop guidelines to position
- Photos valid for 6 months—one set works for passport, Personalausweis, visa, and ID Austria
- Print on matte photo paper—standard for Austrian document photos
- Minimum 600 DPI resolution—lower resolution photos will be rejected
- Children under 5 get relaxed expression rules; infants under 1 don't need eyes open
- For digital submissions, keep JPEG file under 300KB
- Most applications require 2 identical photos; some passport applications need 3
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Austrian passport photo requirements?
Austrian passport photos must be 35×45mm with face occupying 70-80% of frame height (31.5-36mm from chin to crown). White or light grey background, 600 DPI minimum, neutral expression, mouth closed, both eyes open. No glasses permitted since 2024. Photos must be taken within last 6 months and printed on matte paper.
Can I wear glasses in Austrian passport photos?
No. Since 2024, Austria prohibits all glasses in passport and visa photos, including prescription glasses. Previous exemptions no longer apply. Remove glasses before taking the photo.
What background colour for Austrian passport photos?
White or light grey, plain and uniform. Both are officially accepted. Avoid cream, off-white with yellow tint, or any coloured backgrounds. No shadows, patterns, or gradients allowed.
Can I use the same photo for Austrian passport and Schengen visa?
Yes. Austrian passport, Schengen visa, Personalausweis, ID Austria, and residence permit applications all use identical 35×45mm specifications. One photo works for all if taken within 6 months.
How recent must Austrian passport photos be?
Within the last 6 months. Photos must reflect your current appearance. Significant changes in appearance (facial hair, weight, hairstyle) may require a new photo even within the 6-month period.
What is the digital format for Austrian passport photos?
JPEG (.jpg) format, 826×1063 pixels at 600 DPI. File size should be under 300KB for online submissions. For in-person applications, printed photos on matte paper are required.
How many photos do I need for Austrian passport application?
Most Austrian passport applications require 2 identical photos. Some applications or authorities may request 3. Print extra copies to be safe—this tool generates sheets with multiple copies.
Do babies need eyes open in Austrian passport photos?
Infants under 1 year do not need eyes open. Children under 5 do not need neutral expression or to look directly at camera. Children under 9 have relaxed face coverage requirements (50-80% instead of 70-80%).
Where can I print Austrian passport photos?
Print at home on matte photo paper (cheapest: €0.30-0.60 per sheet), or at dm Drogerie (€8-12), Hartlauer (€8-15), Foto-Automat booths (€6-10), or any photo studio. Specify '35×45mm Passfoto auf mattem Papier'.
Is Austria's passport photo size different from other EU countries?
No. Austria uses the standard EU/Schengen 35×45mm format, same as Germany, France, Ireland, and most EU member states. Key Austrian difference: complete glasses ban since 2024, stricter than some other EU countries.
What face height is required for Austrian passport photos?
Face from chin to crown must be 70-80% of the photo height, which is 31.5-36mm in a 45mm photo. Photos are rejected if face measures less than 27mm or more than 40mm. Use the crop guidelines to position correctly.
Can I use this for Austrian residence permit photos?
Yes. Austrian residence permits (Aufenthaltstitel) use the same 35×45mm biometric photo specifications as passports. Same format works for all Austrian government identity documents.