French Biometric Passport: Official Photo Standards (2026)

The French Ministry of the Interior, through the Agence Nationale des Titres Sécurisés (ANTS), sets strict rules for the photo required on every French passport application. Unlike the international white-background standard, France requires a plain light white background (Gris Bleu Clair, Pantone 290C) and a fixed size of 35mm wide by 45mm high. This requirement, defined by the arrêté of 5 February 2009 on secure identity documents, is the leading cause of application rejection at town halls. Below is the full set of official rules published on service-public.fr and ants.gouv.fr, laid out so you can submit a compliant file on your first visit.

Official Passport Photo Specifications

Dimensions

35 x 45 mm

Background

Plain light

Head Height

71% – 80%

Digital File

413 x 531 px, 300 DPI

Requirements You Must Follow, Point by Point

BackgroundUse a plain light white background with no shadow, pattern, or object behind you.

Face heightKeep your face, measured from chin to the top of the skull excluding hair, between 32mm and 36mm on the printed photo.

ExpressionKeep a neutral expression with your mouth closed and no smile.

GazeLook straight at the camera with both eyes open and clearly visible.

HairClear your face completely — no strand of hair should cover your eyes or eyebrows.

LightingUse even, diffuse lighting with no shadow on your face or on the background.

ClothingAvoid light blue or white clothing; wear dark colors to stand out against the background.

GlassesRemove your glasses, including rimless prescription lenses.

Head coveringsWear one only for a documented medical or religious reason, keeping the full facial oval visible.

Print qualityUse high-quality matte photo paper with no crease, staple mark, or glue residue.

Why France Requires a Light Blue Background

The choice of a light blue background reflects a technical decision validated by ANTS engineers, not an administrative tradition.

A Contrast Needed for Facial Recognition

A white background creates a real problem for applicants with white, grey, or very light hair, since the hair blends into the background and makes it hard for the algorithm to detect the outline of the skull. A light blue background creates enough contrast against every skin tone and hair color, letting ANTS software isolate the facial oval precisely for the biometric template stored on the passport chip.

A Safeguard Against Document Fraud

The exact shade of blue, close to Pantone 290C, remains hard to reproduce accurately with consumer editing software. The ANTS verification system analyzes the color signature of every uploaded file; if the color balance does not match the official reference, the photo is automatically rejected online.

Checks Carried Out at the Town Hall

You submit your application in person at a town hall equipped with a biometric station. The registrar checks the photo's compliance using dedicated software. Prepare for these checks to avoid a rejection that could push your appointment back by several weeks:

Your expression must stay completely neutral, with no smile or lip movement.
No shadow should appear on your face or on the blue background.
Wearing glasses remains strictly forbidden, even lenses with no visible glare.
Glossy paper prints are rejected because they create reflections during scanning.

Generate an e-Photo That Meets ANTS Standards

Photo booths approved by ANTS remain reliable, but they are not always accessible, especially for French citizens living abroad. A photo taken by a photographer unfamiliar with the blue-background requirement often gets rejected. Our tool produces a digital file calibrated to the exact pixel size (413 x 531 px) with the approved light blue background and a face height precisely between 71% and 80%, matching the requirements published on ants.gouv.fr.

Online Submission and the Photo Code

The French system relies on a Code Photo. During your online pre-application on the ANTS website, you can either enter a 22-character code provided by an approved photographer or upload a compliant digital file directly. Once the automated system validates your photo, your pre-application is accepted and you can visit the town hall to complete your file. It is still recommended to bring a printed copy of the same photo to your appointment, since some town halls prefer to scan a paper photo rather than rely solely on the digital file submitted online.