Italy Passport, CIE & Visa
Photo Requirements
(2026 Guide)

1. Quick Answer: Italy Passport Photo Size

What size is an Italy passport photo? An Italy passport photo is 35 mm wide x 45 mm high. The same 35 x 45 mm format is used for Italian CIE photo requirements and standard Italy fototessera requirements.

2. Italy Passport, CIE and Fototessera Size

Italian passport photos, Italian CIE photos and standard Italy fototessera photos are prepared in the 35 x 45 mm format. The photo should be recent, in colour, sharp, front-facing and centred, with the person alone in the image and no objects or other people in the background.

3. Italy Visa Photo Size

Italy visa photo requirements usually follow the 35 x 45 mm passport-style photo format, but visa photo rules may depend on the specific visa centre, consulate, country of application and visa checklist. Always use the exact photo instructions shown for your Italy visa appointment or online application route.

4. Digital Italy Photo Preparation

A digital Italy passport photo online file should keep the 35:45 ratio and be prepared for the selected document type. For Italian CIE applications where a digital file is accepted on USB support, official guidance lists JPG format, at least 400 dpi and a maximum file size of 500 KB.

5. Printed Photo Requirements

Printed Italy passport photo, CIE and fototessera photos should be 35 x 45 mm, sharp and printed on high-quality, high-definition paper. The print should not be folded, stapled, written on, damaged, retouched, coloured, tampered with or visibly pixelated.

6. Italy Passport Photo Examples

These examples show common Italian passport, CIE, fototessera and visa photo situations, including correct framing, plain white background, clear face visibility, suitable lighting and mistakes such as shadows, sunglasses, smiling, hair covering the face or an incorrect crop.

7. Face Size and Position

For an Italian passport photo, the face should cover about 70–80% of the photo from the base of the chin to the forehead. The face must be centred, not in profile, with the head straight and the person looking directly at the camera.

8. Facial Expression

Use a neutral expression with your mouth closed. Your eyes should be open, clearly visible and directed at the camera. Avoid smiling, frowning, looking away, tilting your head or using filters that alter your face.

9. Eyes and Glasses

Your eyes must be open and clearly visible. Glasses are allowed only when the lenses are transparent, there is no flash reflection, the frames do not cover the eyes and the glasses are not sunglasses or tinted lenses. Heavy frames that cover the eye area should be avoided.

10. Head Coverings

Headwear is not allowed unless justified by religious, cultural or medical reasons. Where a head covering is allowed, the full face contour must remain visible, from the base of the chin to the forehead and along both sides of the face.

11. Clothing and Accessories

Wear normal everyday clothing and avoid accessories that distract from or obscure the face. Hair should not cover the eyes. The photo should show only the applicant, without other objects, people, toys or visible support items.

12. Background and Lighting

Italy passport and identity card photo guidance requires a white background with uniform lighting. CIE guidance also allows a uniform light background such as white, light grey, beige, light brown or light blue to improve contrast. Avoid shadows on the face or background, flash reflections, red-eye and colour casts.

13. Baby and Child Photo Guidance

For babies and children, the child should be photographed alone. No parent hands, toys, dummies, blankets, chair backs or other people should appear in the photo. The face should be visible, centred and front-facing as much as possible, with the child’s eyes clearly visible when possible for their age.

14. Which Italy Photo Type Do You Need?

Use the Italy passport photo option for Italian passport applications, the CIE or ID option for Italian identity card photos, and the fototessera option for standard Italian ID-style photo needs. For Italy visa photos, select the visa document type and follow the exact visa centre or consulate checklist.

16. How Foxly Passport Photo Maker Can Help

Foxly Passport Photo Maker helps you prepare an Italy passport photo online from home. Upload your image, choose the country and document type, and Foxly prepares the photo according to the selected requirements, including crop, background and size formatting for digital delivery or supported printed photo orders.