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The Challenge
Romania visa and ID card applications require 30×40mm photos—smaller than the 35×45mm passport format. ID card (Carte de identitate) needs 6 photos, visa needs 2. Using passport-sized photos = automatic rejection at Serviciul de Evidență a Persoanelor or the Romanian embassy.
Romania visa/ID photos are 30×40mm—NOT passport size
- Visa & ID Card (Carte de identitate): 30×40mm (this tool)
- Passport: 35×45mm (use separate passport tool)
- Using passport photos for visa/ID = rejection
- Using visa/ID photos for passport = rejection
Romanian visa and ID card photo requirements
Romania uses 30×40mm (3×4cm) photos for visa applications, ID card (Carte de identitate / Buletin) applications, and citizenship applications. This is a Romania-specific format—smaller than the EU-standard 35×45mm passport size. Head height should be 28-32mm (70-80% of frame). White background required. ID card applications need 6 identical photos. Visa applications need 2 photos. Citizenship applications need 6 photos. All photos must be taken within the last 6 months.
Romanian visa/ID photo requirements checklist
- 30×40mm dimensions (NOT 35×45mm passport size)
- Head height 28-32mm (70-80% of frame)
- Plain white background—no shadows or patterns
- ~2.5mm space between top of hair and photo edge
- Taken within last 6 months
- Face centred, neutral expression, mouth closed
- Both eyes open and fully visible
- No glasses unless medical exemption with documentation
- No headwear unless religious or medical
- Everyday clothing—no uniforms
- Colour photo—no black and white
- Even lighting, no shadows on face or background
- 709×945 pixels at 600 DPI minimum for print quality
- Printed on matte photo paper
- ID card: 6 copies / Visa: 2 copies / Citizenship: 6 copies
- No retouching, filters, or digital alterations
Common rejection reasons
- Using 35×45mm passport format instead of 30×40mm
- Head size outside 28-32mm range (too small or too large)
- Shadows on face or background
- Wearing glasses without medical documentation
- Photo older than 6 months
- Wrong number of photos (ID card needs 6, not 2 or 4)
- Low resolution or blurry photo
- Background not plain white
- Smiling with teeth showing
Carte de identitate (ID card) photo specifics
The Romanian Carte de identitate is mandatory for all citizens aged 14 and over. Issued by the Local Public Community Service for Personal Records (Serviciul Public Comunitar de Evidență a Persoanelor - SPCLEP). Six identical 30×40mm photos required. Romania is currently rolling out the new Electronic Identity Card (Carte Electronică de Identitate - CEI) with biometric chip, starting from Cluj-Napoca in March 2025 and expanding nationwide. Both the old and new card types use the same 30×40mm photo specifications.
Romanian visa photo requirements
Romanian visa applications—short-stay (Schengen Type C), long-stay (Type D for work, study, family reunification), airport transit, and official mission visas—all use 30×40mm photos. Two identical photos required per application. Apply through Romanian embassies/consulates or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (mae.ro). Photos must have white background, neutral expression, and be taken within 6 months. Glue one photo in the designated space on the application form; submit the second separately.
How to print Romanian visa/ID photos at home
- Paper: Use matte photo-quality paper. Available at Altex, Flanco, eMAG, or stationery stores.
- Printer settings: Select highest quality, 100% scale (no 'fit to page'), colour mode.
- Paper size: Choose 4R (102×152mm) for 6-8 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 30×40mm. Use ruler to confirm.
- For ID card: print at least 6 copies. For visa: print at least 2.
- Alternative: Print at photo studio, copy centre, or hypermarket counter. Specify '30×40mm pe hârtie mată' or '3×4cm mată'.
Romania passport photo vs visa/ID photo
New Electronic Identity Card (CEI) — same photo format
Romania began rolling out the Carte Electronică de Identitate (CEI) in March 2025. The new biometric card includes an embedded chip with fingerprints, digital certificates, and facial recognition data. Despite the new technology, the photo requirement remains 30×40mm. Biometric data is captured in-person at the SPCLEP office. First CEI is free under Romania's National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR); subsequent cards cost 67 RON. The simple (non-electronic) card costs 38 RON.
Cost comparison: DIY vs professional
- Professional photo studio: 15-35 RON (€3-7) for visa/ID photos
- Hypermarket photo counter (Carrefour/Auchan): 10-20 RON (€2-4)
- Photo booth (mall): 10-15 RON (€2-3)
- This tool: Free. Print at home for 2-5 RON (€0.40-1.00) per sheet
- Copy centre with your file: 3-8 RON (€0.60-1.60)
- Savings: 8-30 RON per application using DIY approach
- ID card needing 6 photos: DIY saves even more vs studio pricing
Need a passport photo?
Romanian passport applications require the larger 35×45mm format, not this 30×40mm visa/ID size. Use the dedicated Romania Passport Photo tool. The two formats are not interchangeable.
Official Romanian Government Resources
- MAI Services Hub Ministry of Internal Affairs portal — passport, ID card, and other service appointments
- Electronic ID Card (CEI) Appointment Booking Schedule appointment for new Carte Electronică de Identitate
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Visa Information Romanian visa types, requirements, and application procedures
- eConsulat - Services Abroad Passport and ID services for Romanian citizens abroad
Step-by-Step Workflow
Upload Photo
Position Head Using Guidelines
Select Enhancement
Download or Print Sheet
Specifications
- Photo Size
- 30×40 mm (3×4 cm)
- Resolution
- 709×945 pixels at 600 DPI
- Head Height
- 28-32 mm (70-80% of frame)
- Background
- Plain white
- Recency
- Taken within last 6 months
- Expression
- Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open
- Paper Type
- Matte photo paper
- Quantity
- ID card: 6 photos / Visa: 2 photos
- Valid For
- ID card (Carte de identitate), visa, citizenship
Best Practices
- Romania visa/ID photos are 30×40mm—smaller than 35×45mm passport format
- ID card (Carte de identitate) requires 6 copies—print a sheet with enough
- Visa requires 2 copies—glue one to application form, submit second separately
- Same 30×40mm format works for visa, ID card, and citizenship applications
- New Electronic Identity Card (CEI) still uses same 30×40mm photo specs
- Matte paper recommended—specify '3×4cm mată' at print shops
- Head height should be 28-32mm (70-80% of frame height)
- Remove glasses unless medically required with doctor's signed statement
Frequently Asked Questions
What size are Romanian ID card photos?
30×40mm (3×4cm). This is different from the 35×45mm passport format. At 600 DPI, the digital equivalent is 709×945 pixels. Six identical photos required for ID card applications.
Can I use passport photos for Romanian ID card or visa?
No. Passport photos are 35×45mm, visa/ID card photos are 30×40mm. Different dimensions. Using the wrong size causes automatic rejection.
How many photos do I need for Romanian ID card?
Six identical 30×40mm photos. For visa applications, you need two. For citizenship applications, six.
What's the difference between Carte de identitate and passport photos?
Carte de identitate (ID card) uses 30×40mm, needs 6 copies. Passport uses 35×45mm, needs 4 copies. Both require white background, neutral expression, and photos taken within 6 months. They are NOT interchangeable.
Does the new Electronic Identity Card (CEI) use different photo specs?
No. The new Carte Electronică de Identitate uses the same 30×40mm photo specifications. Biometric data (fingerprints, facial scan) is captured in-person at the SPCLEP office.
What background colour for Romanian visa photos?
Plain white background. No shadows, patterns, or objects. Some sources reference grey, but white is the standard accepted at Romanian embassies and consulates.
Can I wear glasses in Romanian visa/ID photos?
No, unless medically required with signed doctor's statement. Even with exemption: no tinted lenses, no glare, frames must not cover eyes.
Where can I print 30×40mm photos in Romania?
Print at home on matte paper (2-5 RON), photo studios (15-35 RON), hypermarket counters at Carrefour/Auchan (10-20 RON), or copy centres (3-8 RON with your file). Specify '30×40mm' or '3×4cm pe hârtie mată'.
How recent must Romanian visa/ID photos be?
Within the last 6 months to reflect current appearance. Older photos will be rejected.
What visa types use this 30×40mm format?
All Romanian visa types: short-stay Schengen (Type C), long-stay (Type D) for work/study/family, airport transit, official mission, and transport visas all use 30×40mm photos.