Poland Passport Photo Editor Online 2026

Poland Passport Photo: Official Requirements for 2026

According to the guidance published on the gov.pl portal by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration (MSWiA), a Polish passport photo must measure 35 × 45 mm. The photo must be current — take it no earlier than 6 months before submitting the application. The face occupies 70–80% of the frame, and the image includes the entire head from the crown plus the upper part of the shoulders. These rules stem directly from the Act of 27 January 2022 on Passport Documents and the Act of 6 August 2010 on Identity Cards, since one photo satisfies both documents. In fact, this standard format matches the exact rozmiar zdjęcia do dowodu (ID card photo size) and serves perfectly as a zdjęcie do prawa jazdy (driving license photo) as well.

Head Position and Facial Expression

Face the camera lens directly — never tilt your head or turn it in a three-quarter angle. The full oval of the face stays visible, and your expression remains natural, with no facial gestures. Keep your mouth closed and your eyebrows uncovered. Your eyes must stay naturally open, clearly visible along with the pupils, and look straight into the lens — a red-eye effect disqualifies the photo. Ears don't need to be visible, and hair may extend beyond the frame's outline. If a medical condition prevents you from meeting these requirements, the office accepts a photo with closed eyes, an open mouth, or an unnatural expression.

Corrective Glasses, Contact Lenses, and Vision Impairments

You may wear corrective glasses in the photo if your eyes remain clearly visible, the frames don't cover your eyebrows, and the lenses show no light reflections. Contact lenses are permitted as long as they don't alter the natural shape or color of your eyes. Applicants with a congenital or acquired vision impairment may wear tinted glasses in the photo — in that case, attach a disability certificate to the application. For an online application, submit the certificate as a signed electronic document or a scan, and hand over the original to the clerk when collecting the document.

Head Coverings, Facial Hair, and Jewelry

Head coverings aren't allowed, except when required by religion — in that case, the face must remain fully visible, along with the complete facial oval and the line of the ears. Attach a certificate confirming membership in a religious community registered in Poland. Facial hair, a beard, or a moustache pose no obstacle as long as they don't hinder identification — for best results, however, consider taking the photo clean-shaven. Jewelry is permitted, provided it doesn't cover the facial oval or disrupt the uniform background.

Background, Lighting, and Technical Quality

The background stays white, evenly lit, free of shadows and decorative elements. Your face must be evenly illuminated — light reflections on the skin or hair and shadows on the face are both unacceptable. Only the applicant may appear in the frame. The photo must be sharp, free of visible pixelation, with natural contrast and a clearly defined head outline. Coloring stays neutral, and tonal density remains balanced — the photo can be neither too bright nor too dark. The image must show no creases or surface damage and must faithfully reproduce your natural skin tone.

Digital vs. Paper Format — Two Application Paths

The required photo format depends on how you submit the application. An online passport application applies only to children under 12 years old — in that case, attach a digital color photo with a minimum resolution of 768 × 1004 pixels and a file size up to 2.5 MB, keeping proportions equivalent to the 35 × 45 mm format. All other applicants submit the application in person at the office and bring a color photo printed on photographic paper in the 35 × 45 mm format — the office won't accept a digital file in this case. The same rules apply to the identity card: an online application requires a digital photo with a minimum resolution of 492 × 633 pixels, while an in-person application requires a paper print with the same proportions.

Photos of Children Under 5

Children under five years old may have closed eyes, an open mouth, or an unnatural expression in the photo. The child's face stays uncovered — not obscured by hair or a toy — and the child holds their head straight. The background must be light and uniform, with no other people in the frame.

Where to Submit Your Passport Application

You submit a passport application in person at any Voivodeship Office (Urząd Wojewódzki), its branch, or a Polish consulate abroad. The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration is the institution responsible for the requirements and the procedure. Detailed photo instructions are published by the gov.pl portal as an official PDF document, available for download on the office's website.

Photo Compliance Checklist

• Size: 35 × 45 mm, color photo.
• Background: white, uniform, free of shadows and decoration.
• Face: occupies 70–80% of the frame, fully visible from the crown to the upper shoulders.
• Expression: natural, mouth closed, eyes open and facing the lens.
• Head coverings: not allowed except for documented religious reasons.
• Glasses: permitted without tinted lenses and without light reflections.
• Recency: photo taken no more than 6 months before submission.
• Format: paper print for in-person applications; digital only for online applications by children under 12.