Preparing Your Austrian Passport Photo
Get your Austrian passport photo ready by following official size and appearance rules. Use the tool above to crop your photo correctly before printing.
Official Size and Head Measurements
When you apply for an Austrian passport, known officially as a Reisepass, you need to submit a physical photograph that meets strict government standards[1]. The official size for this document is 35x45 mm, which translates to about 1.38x1.77 inches[1]. You must provide one recent colour photo that is no older than six months[2]. It is important to get these dimensions right so your application does not face delays at the office.
Your head should take up about two-thirds of the photo and must not be higher than 36 mm, measured from chin to crown[2].
Background Requirements and Lighting
The background behind you must meet precise visual requirements set by the authorities. The official rule states that the background must be plain, light, preferably grey; no pattern and sufficient contrast with face and hair[3]. Avoid textured walls, wallpaper, or coloured backgrounds that might blend with your skin or clothing.
Good lighting helps you achieve the correct background and skin tones without harsh shadows. A simple way to get even lighting is to face a large window during daylight hours. Do not use direct flash if it causes dark shadows behind your head. Have someone else take the picture while you sit or stand about one to one and a half meters away from the camera.
Facial Expression and Eye Position
Use a neutral expression and keep your mouth closed[3].
Your eyes must be open and clearly visible to the camera lens[3]. Look straight ahead at the camera lens rather than looking off to the side. Make sure your hair does not fall across your eyes or obscure any part of your face.
Glasses and Headwear Rules
You may wear glasses if your eyes remain visible. Reflections, tinted lenses, and sunglasses are not allowed[3].
Head coverings are generally not permitted in official identification photos. Headwear is permitted for religious or medical reasons only[3]. Even when religious or medical head coverings are allowed, your face must remain fully visible from the bottom of your chin to the top of your forehead, and the edge of your face must be clear.
Photo Rules for Infants and Children
Taking a passport photo for a baby or young child requires extra patience. Children must appear alone in the photo, with the face fully visible and eyes open[3]. No toys, hands, or other people can be visible inside the frame with the child.
Some deviations from the standard criteria may be accepted when a child’s developmental stage or physical circumstances require them[3].
Printing and Submission Guidelines
You must provide a recent colour passport photo for your application[1]. Follow the passport authority’s instructions for submitting it.
Take your digital print sheet to a local retail photo kiosk and print it as an ordinary 4x6-inch glossy or matte photo. Cut the individual photo carefully along the crop lines. Bring this printed picture along to your appointment, where the authority captures the application biometrics[1][2].
Frequently asked questions
Can I wear glasses in my Austrian passport photo?
Glasses are allowed only under conditional rules[3]. They must not obscure your eyes, and the lenses cannot have any glare or tint.
What is the correct photo size?
The official size for an Austrian passport photo is 35x45 mm[1].
How recent must the photo be?
You must provide one recent colour photo that is no older than six months[2].
Can I submit a digital file online?
What are the exact background rules?
The background must be plain, light, preferably grey; no pattern and sufficient contrast with face and hair[3].