Swiss passports use the ICAO 35 × 45 mm portrait format, but with a spec that is tighter than the rest of Europe: the face must measure just 29–34 mm from chin to crown, and the background must be plain light grey — not white. That background rule is the single most common reason photos are refused at the cantonal passport office. Full fedpol specification below.
Make a Swiss Passport Photo →Per the Federal Office of Police (fedpol) photo template (Fotomustertafel). The same format applies to the Swiss passport, identity card and driving licence.
| Photo size | 35 × 45 mm portrait, borderless (1.4 × 1.8 inches) |
|---|---|
| Face height | 29 – 34 mm from chin to crown — narrower than the usual 32–36 mm used elsewhere in Europe. Minimum 23 mm for children under 11 |
| Headroom | Exactly about 5 mm of clear space between the top of the head and the top edge |
| Background | Plain, uniform light grey, no shadows, with a clear boundary between the head and the background. Pure white, cream, beige and pale blue are rejected |
| Colour | Colour required for the passport. The final image on the document is printed in black and white |
| Head position | Frontal frame, shoulders square, nose on the vertical centre line — no tilt or turn |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, both eyes open at the same height and clearly visible |
| Glasses | Discouraged. If worn daily: frame must not cover the eyes, untinted lenses, no glare. Dark lenses only with a documented visual impairment |
| Recency | Taken within the last 6 months and matching your current appearance |
Most cantons capture the biometric photo on site — a home photo is useful where your commune asks you to bring one.
Hang a plain light grey sheet or backdrop at least 50 cm behind you. A white wall under warm indoor light reads as warm white and will be rejected.
Face a window or use two soft lamps at 45°. Shoulders square, head level, mouth closed, eyes straight into the lens.
Upload to IDPhotoWork — we crop to 35 × 45 mm, set the face to 29–34 mm and leave the exact 5 mm headroom the Swiss template specifies.