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The Challenge
Switzerland requires 35×45mm photos with specific fedpol standards: head height 29–34mm, 5mm top margin, neutral background (not white), and smooth glossy or semi-matte paper. Many photo services apply wrong EU defaults. One non-compliant photo = rejected application at cantonal office.
One photo format for Swiss passport, ID card, and Schengen visa
Switzerland uses the standardised 35×45mm format for Swiss passports, Swiss identity cards (Identitätskarte), and Schengen visa applications. Requirements are set by the Federal Office of Police (fedpol) and follow ICAO biometric standards with Swiss-specific additions. Same photo works for all three document types within the 12-month validity period. Note: Switzerland accepts photos up to 1 year old—longer than the 6-month standard in many other countries.
Swiss-specific rules that differ from standard EU requirements
- Background must be neutral grey—not pure white (many services get this wrong)
- Photos valid for 12 months (not 6 months like most EU countries)
- Both colour AND black-and-white photos accepted (photo prints B&W on document)
- Friendly expression explicitly permitted (not just neutral)
- Paper must be glossy or semi-matte—textured/pearl paper rejected
- Children under 11: minimum head height 23mm (relaxed from adult 29mm)
- Head height measured chin to skull (not top of hair)
Swiss passport photo checklist — will your photo be accepted?
- 35×45mm dimensions with no border
- Head height 29–34mm from chin to top of skull (not hair)
- 5mm space from top of head to photo edge
- Face centred, nose on vertical midline
- Monochrome neutral background (light grey ideal), no shadows
- Clear separation between background and head
- Taken within last 12 months
- Frontal pose, shoulders straight, facing camera directly
- Both eyes open, at same height, clearly visible
- Neutral or friendly expression, mouth closed
- No glasses with tinted lenses or causing glare (frames must not cover eyes)
- Sharp, high-contrast image with natural skin tones
- No red-eye, no hot spots on skin
- No head coverings (religious/medical exceptions with documentation)
- No headbands, hair bands, or glasses pushed up on head
- No uniforms
- No rounded corners, no creases, no visible pixel structure
- Smooth glossy or semi-matte photo paper (no textured/pearl surface)
Common rejection reasons at cantonal offices
- Wrong background colour (pure white instead of neutral grey)
- Head height outside 29–34mm range (or below 23mm for children under 11)
- Less than 5mm top margin
- Textured or pearl-finish paper (must be smooth glossy or semi-matte)
- Glasses frames covering eyes or glare on lenses
- Shadows on face or background
- Head tilted, turned, or not centred
- Visible pixel structure (low resolution print)
- Rounded corners on photo
- Photo older than 12 months
- Person wearing uniform
- Another person or object visible in photo
Background requirements — neutral grey, not white
The fedpol specification requires a monochrome, uniform, and neutral background with clear separation between background and head. Light neutral grey is the recommended colour. Pure white backgrounds can be problematic for people with light hair or fair skin as there's insufficient contrast. Many online services incorrectly state white background for Switzerland—this is based on generic EU guidance, not the Swiss fedpol standard. When photographing at home, use a plain light grey wall or backdrop.
How to print Swiss passport photos at home
- Paper: Use smooth glossy or semi-matte photo paper. Textured, pearl, or silk-finish paper will be rejected.
- 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. Corners must be sharp—no rounded edges.
- Size verification: Final photos must measure exactly 35×45mm. Use ruler to confirm.
- Quality check: No visible pixel structure, no creases, no smudges.
- Alternative: Print at local photo shop (Fotoautomat, Manor, Interdiscount, or Migros photo service).
Taking passport photos of babies and young children
- Children under 5: do not need neutral expression, do not need to look at camera, head does not need to be centred
- Babies under 1 year: eyes do not need to be open
- Children under 11: head height minimum 23mm (relaxed from adult 29mm)
- Disabled persons: relaxed requirements for gaze, expression, and head size
- Lay baby on plain neutral-coloured blanket (light grey ideal)
- Photograph from directly above—ensure no other person or object in frame
- Use even lighting—no shadows on face or background
Glasses rules for Swiss passport photos
Switzerland allows glasses in passport photos with conditions: frames must not cover the eyes, lenses must not cause glare or reflections, and tinted lenses or sunglasses are prohibited. Visually impaired persons are permitted to wear darkened lenses. Unlike many countries that now ban all glasses, Switzerland still accepts them when these conditions are met. However, removing glasses eliminates the most common photo rejection risks.
Voluminous hair — special Swiss rule
Fedpol addresses voluminous hairstyles specifically: the face height must not go below 29mm to accommodate the full hairstyle. If the full hairstyle cannot fit within the 35×45mm frame at correct face proportions, the hair may exceptionally extend beyond the photo edge. In other words, correct face size takes priority over fitting all hair in frame. This is explicitly stated in the official specification.
Good vs bad Swiss passport photo examples
Swiss passport application process
Swiss passports and ID cards are applied for at your cantonal or communal residents' office (Einwohnerkontrolle/Contrôle des habitants). You can start online but must attend a personal appointment for biometric data (fingerprints). Photos can be taken at the appointment or brought from home—bringing compliant photos saves time. Two photos are typically required. Passport costs CHF 140 for adults (CHF 60 for children under 18). Processing takes approximately 10 working days.
Cost comparison: DIY vs photo services in Switzerland
- Photo booth (Fotoautomat) at SBB stations: CHF 8–12 for 4 photos
- Manor/Interdiscount photo service: CHF 15–20 for 4 photos
- Professional photographer: CHF 25–40 for set
- This tool: Free. Print at home for CHF 0.30–0.80 per sheet
- Print at Migros/Coop photo service: CHF 3–8 if you provide file
- Savings: CHF 8–40 per application
Official Swiss Government Resources
- Fedpol — Photo Acceptance Criteria (PDF, trilingual) Official photo requirements from Federal Office of Police — the authoritative Swiss specification
- Fedpol — Applying for a Swiss Passport or ID Card Application process including photo submission options and cantonal passport office links
- ch.ch — Applying for a Passport or Identity Card Official Swiss government portal with prices, validity, and step-by-step application guide
- ch.ch — Visa Requirements for Foreign Nationals Schengen visa requirements, application process, and visa-free country list
Step-by-Step Workflow
Upload and Position Head
Select Enhancement Version
Download or Print Sheet
Specifications
- Photo Size
- 35×45 mm (no border)
- Resolution
- 826×1063 pixels at 600 DPI
- Head Height
- 29–34 mm (chin to skull, 64–76% of frame)
- Children Under 11
- Minimum 23 mm head height
- Top Margin
- 5 mm from top of head to edge of photo
- Background
- Monochrome, uniform, neutral (light grey preferred)
- Recency
- Taken within last 12 months
- Expression
- Neutral, mouth closed (friendly expression permitted)
- Colour
- Colour or black-and-white accepted
- Paper Type
- Smooth surface: glossy or semi-matte (no textured/pearl paper)
- Valid For
- Swiss passport, identity card, Schengen visa
Best Practices
- Background must be neutral grey—NOT white. This is the most common error for Swiss photos
- Photos valid for 12 months (longer than 6-month EU standard)
- Friendly expression is explicitly allowed—you don't need to look stern
- Both colour and B&W photos accepted—document prints in B&W anyway
- Paper must be smooth glossy or semi-matte—textured/pearl/silk paper is rejected
- Head height is chin to skull (not top of hair)—29–34mm for adults, 23mm min for children under 11
- 5mm space required between top of head and photo edge
- Glasses allowed if no glare and frames don't cover eyes (remove to be safe)
- Photo corners must be sharp—rounded corners cause rejection
- Same photo works for passport, ID card, and Schengen visa
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Swiss passport photo requirements?
35×45mm, head height 29–34mm (chin to skull), 5mm top margin, neutral monochrome background (light grey preferred), smooth glossy or semi-matte paper, taken within 12 months. Colour or B&W accepted. Neutral or friendly expression. No uniforms, no headwear (religious/medical exceptions). Set by Federal Office of Police (fedpol).
Is the background white or grey for Swiss passport photos?
Neutral grey, not white. The fedpol specification requires a monochrome, uniform, neutral background with clear separation between head and background. Light neutral grey is ideal. Many online services incorrectly state white—this is the generic EU default, not the Swiss standard.
Can I use the same photo for Swiss passport and Schengen visa?
Yes. Swiss passport, Swiss identity card, and Schengen visa applications all use the same 35×45mm format with identical requirements. One photo set works for all if taken within 12 months.
How old can Swiss passport photos be?
Up to 12 months (1 year). This is more lenient than most EU countries which require 6 months. The fedpol specification states 'Die Foto darf nicht älter als 1 Jahr sein' (photo must not be older than 1 year).
Can I smile in Swiss passport photos?
A friendly expression is explicitly permitted by fedpol. Neutral expression with mouth closed is required, but a natural friendly look is acceptable. Open mouth, laughing, or exaggerated expressions are not allowed.
Are black-and-white photos accepted for Swiss passports?
Yes. Fedpol accepts both colour and black-and-white photos. The photo on the identity document will appear in black-and-white regardless. However, colour photos are more common and generally recommended.
Can I wear glasses in Swiss passport photos?
Yes, with conditions: frames must not cover eyes, no glare or reflections on lenses, no tinted lenses or sunglasses. Visually impaired persons may wear darkened lenses. However, removing glasses eliminates rejection risk.
What paper type for Swiss passport photos?
Smooth surface: glossy or semi-matte (halbmatt). Fedpol specifically rejects textured surfaces—no pearl, silk, or satin finish. The surface must not have a structure perceptible by touch. Only paper intended for photographic prints is accepted.
What about children's passport photos in Switzerland?
Children under 11: minimum 23mm head height (vs 29mm for adults). Children under 5: relaxed rules on expression, gaze, and head centering. Babies under 1: eyes don't need to be open. Disabled persons also have relaxed requirements.
Where do I apply for a Swiss passport?
At your cantonal or communal residents' office (Einwohnerkontrolle). You can begin online but must attend in person for biometric data. Bring compliant photos to save time. Cost: CHF 140 adults, CHF 60 under 18. Processing: approximately 10 working days.
Can my hair extend beyond the photo edge?
Yes, exceptionally. Fedpol states that for voluminous hairstyles, correct face size (29–34mm) takes priority. If the full hairstyle cannot fit within the frame at correct proportions, hair may extend beyond the edge. This is explicitly permitted.
What head height measurement does Switzerland use?
Chin to top of skull (Schädeldecke), NOT top of hair. This is an important distinction for people with voluminous hair. The face (not including hair) must measure 29–34mm for adults, minimum 23mm for children under 11.