ES Spain passport 32x26 mm Photo Requirements Guide - Official Guidelines

Requirements

• Photo dimensions: exactly 32 mm high × 26 mm wide with no borders or margins
• Head size & positioning: head (top of hair to chin) must occupy 70–80 % of photo height (4–6 mm) and be centered both vertically and horizontally
• Background: plain, light-grey or white, with no patterns, textures, shadows or objects visible
• Facial expression: neutral expression with mouth closed, eyes open and looking straight at the camera, no smiling or raised eyebrows
• Lighting & color: even, natural lighting without red-eye, glare or shadows on face or background, true-to-life skin tones
• Glasses: allowed only if worn daily for medical reasons, clear lenses with no reflections or glare, thin frames, eyes fully visible, no tinted or photochromic lenses
• Headwear: not permitted except for documented religious reasons; must not obscure the face or cast shadows, full facial contours from forehead to chin must be visible
• Clothing: everyday attire (no uniforms, camouflage or overly bright colors similar to background), no large accessories or collars obscuring the neck or chin
• Photo quality & finish: high resolution (minimum 600 dpi), sharp focus, good contrast, printed on quality matte or glossy photo paper with no creases, tears or stains
• Age of photo: taken within the last six months, reflecting current appearance, with no digital retouching that alters natural features
• Print consistency: identical copies (at least two) with consistent exposure and color balance, each on separate pieces of photo paper
• Eye level: pupils should be on a horizontal line between 15 mm and 18 mm from the bottom edge of the photo

Step-by-Step Process

Content about ES Spain passport 32x26 mm Photo Requirements Guide - process

Tips and Best Practices

• Dimension Precision: ensure the final image is exactly 32 × 26 mm using a calibrated ruler or passport-photo template to avoid automatic rejection for incorrect sizing
• Head Placement: position your head so it occupies 70–80 % of the frame and is horizontally centered to meet Spain’s biometric standards and guarantee accurate facial recognition
• Neutral Expression & Even Lighting: maintain a natural, relaxed expression under soft, diffused lighting to eliminate shadows and clearly capture all facial features for seamless identity checks
• Background Uniformity: use a plain white or light-grey backdrop free of patterns or textures to maximize subject contrast and prevent background-check algorithms from flagging your photo
• No Eyewear Reflections: remove glasses or adjust head angle to eliminate lens glare, ensuring both eyes are fully visible and reducing the risk of refusal during document control

Conclusion

In summary, the ES Spain 32×26 mm passport photo requires precise adherence to size, composition, and quality standards to ensure acceptance without delays:

• Photo dimensions: exactly 32 mm wide × 26 mm high with a head height of 18–23 mm measured from chin to crown• Background and lighting: uniform light-grey or off-white, even illumination with no shadows or reflections• Facial expression and pose: neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open and looking straight at camera with head centered• Accessories and attire: no glasses (unless medically required with prescription), no hats or head coverings except for documented religious reasons with facial features fully visible• Image quality and print: high-resolution color photo on matte or semimatte paper, free of creases, smudges, digital enhancements, or watermarks

Adhering to these core requirements will help you secure a smooth passport application process in Spain.