What size is a Swiss passport photo?

35 x 45 mm (1.38 x 1.77 inches), following the Schengen standard.

What background color is required for a Swiss passport photo?

Light grey background — not white. This follows the Schengen biometric standard.

Can I wear glasses in my Swiss passport photo?

Yes, if you wear them daily. They must be transparent with no glare, and frames must not obscure your eyes.

Switzerland Passport Photo

Size & Requirements 2026 · Last updated: 2026-05-30

Photo Specifications

Dimensions

35 × 45 mm

DPI

300

Background

light grey

Format

JPEG

Max Size

240 KB

Head Height

70-80%

Photography Guidelines

1 Taken within the last 6 months
2 Light grey background, plain, free of patterns and shadows
3 Head height from chin to crown must be 29-34 mm
4 5 mm space between top of head and edge of photo
5 Neutral facial expression with both eyes open and mouth closed
6 Glasses allowed if worn daily, but no glare or tinted lenses

Common Mistakes to Avoid

White background

Switzerland requires a light grey background, not white — this differs from many countries

Head too close to photo edge

Must leave 5 mm of space between the top of your head and the photo edge

Sunglasses or tinted lenses

Only clear, non-tinted prescription glasses are allowed

How to Take Your Photo

Three ways to get a compliant photo — choose what works for you.

DIY at Home

Take it yourself with a camera or smartphone — the cheapest option.

1 Stand against a plain, smooth, light-colored wall with even daylight from the front.
2 Use a tripod or steady surface so the camera is level with your eyes, ~1.5 m away.
3 Wear normal clothes that contrast with the background and remove glasses or hats.
4 Keep a neutral expression with closed mouth and both eyes clearly visible.
5 Take several shots, pick the sharpest, then crop to the official size and DPI.
6 Save as the required file format and check file-size limits before submitting.

Using Your Smartphone

Best lighting, framing, and tips for iPhone and Android.

1 Use the rear camera (higher quality) and ask someone else to take the photo.
2 Stand 1–1.5 m from a plain wall; turn off flash and use natural daylight.
3 Tap to focus on the face and lock exposure so lighting stays consistent.
4 Frame head and shoulders so the head fills 50–70% of the height.
5 Avoid filters, beauty mode, and HDR — they distort facial features.
6 Crop to the exact ratio in a free tool, export at the required DPI.

With Our Online Service

Upload a photo and get a compliant version in seconds.

1 Upload any clear, recent photo — selfie or full-body works.
2 Our AI auto-detects the face, removes the background, and applies the correct color.
3 It crops to the exact official dimensions for your selected document.
4 A compliance check flags head size, expression, lighting, and shadow issues.
5 Preview the result and retake free if anything looks off.
6 Download the digital file or order printed copies.

Price Comparison

Common ways to get a passport photo, side by side.

Provider	Cost	Delivery	Notes
DIY at Home	Free	Instant	Requires a printer for hard copies
Local Photo Studio	$10–$20	Same day	Quality varies; not always compliance-checked
Pharmacy / Retailer	$10–$15	Same day	Convenient, but limited retake policies
Our Online Service	Free preview	Instant	AI compliance check, free retakes

Recommended Tools

PhotoGov

AI-powered passport photo maker with compliance check

Make Your Photo Now

Frequently Asked Questions

Official References

Information on this page is based on the following official sources:

Federal Office of Police (fedpol) - Photographs of the New Passport