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

Requirements

• Photo dimensions: exactly 32 mm high × 26 mm wide on quality photo paper with tolerance ±5 mm
• Head size & positioning: face (chin to crown) must occupy 70–80 % of photo height (approx. 23–26 mm) and be centered vertically and horizontally
• Eye level: pupils positioned 12–18 mm from the bottom edge of the photo
• Background: uniform light gray or white, matte finish, no patterns, textures or shadows
• Expression & gaze: neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open and looking straight at the camera
• Head orientation: directly facing camera, both edges of face and hairline fully visible, no tilt or rotation
• Lighting & contrast: even frontal lighting, no shadows on face or background, no red-eye, natural skin tones
• Glasses: permitted if frames are thin, lenses clear (no tint or glare), eyes fully visible; sunglasses and tinted lenses prohibited
• Head coverings: only for religious or medical reasons, must not obscure forehead, eyes or cheeks and papers confirming exemption may be requested
• Hair & accessories: hair away from face, no accessories covering facial features, no large earrings or items that cast shadows
• Photo quality & print: high-resolution (minimum 600 dpi), sharp focus, continuous tone, printed on non-glossy photo paper without borders or frames
• Recency: taken within the last 6 months to reflect current appearance
• No alterations: no retouching, filters, or digital manipulation that change natural appearance

Step-by-Step Process

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

Tips and Best Practices

• Accurate dimensions and head size: ensure your photo is exactly 32 × 26 mm with the head filling 70–80 % of the frame from chin to crown—incorrect sizing is the top reason for automatic rejections.
• Plain uniform background: use a neutral light grey or off-white backdrop free of shadows or textures—background inconsistencies interfere with biometric systems and cause delays.
• Neutral expression and direct gaze: keep your mouth closed, eyes open, and face the camera straight on—smiling, tilting, or squinting hinders facial‐recognition accuracy and often leads to refusal.
• No glasses or reflections: remove all eyewear or wear non-reflective lenses to eliminate glare over the eyes—reflections obscure eye contours, violating Spanish passport rules.
• Even lighting and shadow-free face: illuminate your face evenly from both sides to avoid shadows on facial features or the background—uneven lighting can hide key biometric details and prompt rejections.

Conclusion

In summary, the ES Spain passport 32 × 26 mm Photo Requirements Guide ensures that every image meets official standards and avoids rejection:

• Photo size: exactly 32 mm high × 26 mm wide
• Head proportions: head height 70 %–80 % of photo (≈4 – 6 mm); eye line 45 %–55 % from bottom edge
• Background: uniform, light grey or white, with no shadows or patterns
• Expression & pose: neutral face, closed mouth, eyes open, directly facing camera
• Lighting & quality: even illumination, high resolution (min. 600 dpi), no reflections or red-eye
• Glasses & head coverings: avoid glasses; religious head coverings allowed if face is fully visible
• Photo age & printing: taken within last 6 months, printed on matte/fine-grained photo paper or submitted digitally per specs

By following these precise measurements and guidelines, applicants will secure a compliant passport photo that meets Spain’s strict requirements.