A Polish passport photo is a 35 × 45 mm portrait on a uniform light background, with the face filling 70–80% of the frame. Two details catch people out: the photo must show the top of the head through to the upper shoulders, and Poland does not require your ears to be visible — the clean oval of the face matters more. Full MSWiA / gov.pl specification below.
Make a Poland Passport Photo →Per the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration (MSWiA), published on gov.pl. The same format covers the Polish passport and national ID card.
| Photo size | 35 × 45 mm portrait (3.5 × 4.5 cm) |
|---|---|
| Face coverage | 70 – 80% of the photo height, from chin to the top of the head |
| Framing | Close-up showing the whole head from the crown plus the upper part of the shoulders |
| Background | Uniform, evenly lit light background — white or very light grey. No shadows, patterns or decorative elements |
| Ears | Need not be visible; a tall hairstyle may extend beyond the frame. The full facial oval must be clear |
| Eyebrows | Must be uncovered — hair or fringe over the eyebrows is not accepted |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, eyes naturally open and looking into the lens, no red-eye |
| Glasses | Corrective glasses allowed if the eyes are clearly visible, frames clear of the eyebrows and lenses show no reflections. Dark lenses only with a disability certificate |
| Head position | Face square to the camera, vertical symmetry, no tilt or turn |
| Recency | Taken within the last 6 months |
| Print quality | Sharp, natural contrast, true skin colour, no creases or ink marks. Home prints are commonly refused |
Adults file in person and bring a printed 35 × 45 mm photo, so the print quality matters as much as the framing.
Face a window against a plain wall, 0.5–1 m away so no shadow falls behind your head. Skip light-coloured clothing that blends in.
Camera at eye level, shoulders square to the lens, mouth closed, eyes straight ahead. Keep your eyebrows uncovered.
Upload to IDPhotoWork — we crop to the exact format, set the face to 70–80% of the frame and export a print-ready file.