Austrian Residence Permit Photo Guide
Get the exact photo requirements for your Austrian residence permit application. Follow these official rules to prepare your print-ready photo correctly.
Official Size and Photo Requirements
When you apply for an Austrian residence permit, known officially as an Aufenthaltstitel, you must provide a physical photo[1]. The official size for this residence permit photo is 35 by 45 mm, which translates to about 1.38 by 1.77 inches[1].
Submit one photo that is no older than six months[1]. The same photo requirements apply to Austrian electronic residence permits, including work and student residence titles[1].
Head Size and Facial Expressions
The maximum head height is 36 mm[2]. The authority does not set a minimum head height.
Face the camera straight on, with a neutral expression and your mouth closed[2].
Background and Lighting Guidelines
Use a plain, light background, preferably grey, with no pattern and enough contrast with your face and hair[2].
Avoid textured walls, wallpaper, or colored backdrops. To get good lighting, face a window during daylight hours to let natural light illuminate your face evenly. Ask someone else to take the picture rather than using arm's length self-portraits, which distort facial features. Keep the camera at your eye level and stand about one to one and a half meters away from the lens.
Glasses and Head Coverings
Many applicants wear everyday items like glasses or head coverings and wonder if they are allowed. Rules regarding glasses are conditional, meaning you can wear them only if your eyes remain fully visible and the lenses produce no glare or reflection[2].
Heavy frames that block your eyes are not acceptable. As for headwear, the rule states it is permitted religious-medical-only[2]. If you wear a head covering for religious or medical reasons, it must not cast any shadows on your face, and your facial features from your chin to the top of your forehead must remain completely exposed.
Rules for Infants and Children
Families applying for permits with young children must follow specific guidelines. A first application for a third-country national child within six months of birth may qualify for a travel-document exception[1].
A photo is generally still required for the residence permit[1]. The cited source does not give separate instructions for photographing infants.
Printing and Submitting Your Photo
The applicant must provide a photo[1]. Follow the authority’s instructions for its format.
You can use the tool above to crop your image to the correct 35 by 45 mm dimensions and arrange it onto a standard 4 by 6 inch digital photo sheet. Take that file to a local print kiosk or photo printer, print it out as an ordinary matte or glossy 4 by 6 inch photo, and use scissors to cut out your pictures carefully along the edges.
Common Reasons Photos Are Refused
The photo must be no older than six months[1]. The general photo criteria also specify even lighting and a suitable background[2].
Tinted lenses are not allowed, and head coverings are permitted for religious or medical reasons[2].
Frequently asked questions
What size is the Austrian residence permit photo?
The official size is 35 by 45 mm, or 1.38 by 1.77 inches[1].
Can I smile in the photo?
No, you must maintain a neutral expression and keep your mouth closed[2].
What background color do I need?
The background must be plain, light, preferably grey; no pattern and sufficient contrast with face and hair[2].
How old can the photo be?
You must provide one photo no older than six months[1].
Are glasses allowed in the photo?
Glasses are allowed conditionally, provided they do not obscure your eyes and have no flash glare[2].