Poland Biometric Passport: Official Photo Requirements 2026
The Polish biometric passport requires a colour photograph measuring exactly 35 × 45 mm. According to the Republic of Poland's official consular guidance (gov.pl), the photo must be taken against a plain white background — evenly lit, with no shadows, patterns, or objects visible. The face must occupy 70–80% of the frame, with a head height (chin to crown) of 32–36 mm. The photo must have been taken within the last 6 months and printed at a minimum resolution of 600 DPI.
Poland Passport — Technical Specifications
Face, Ears, and Eye Requirements
Per the official MSWiA (Ministry of Internal Affairs) biometric standard referenced on gov.pl, the entire oval of the face and the line of the ears must be fully exposed. Hair must not cover the ears, eyebrows, or eyes. The applicant must face the camera directly — no tilting or turning of the head is permitted. Eyes must be open, clearly visible, and looking straight into the lens. The facial expression must be neutral with the mouth closed.
Glasses and Head Coverings
Corrective glasses are permitted provided the lenses are not tinted, the frames do not cover any part of the eye, and there is no glare or reflection. Head coverings are not allowed except for documented religious or medical reasons — in which case a certificate from a registered religious community or a signed doctor's statement must accompany the application. Even with a head covering, the full face oval and ears must remain visible.
Biometric Submission at the Passport Office
Under current Polish passport regulations, the photograph must be submitted in person at the time of application — it cannot be sent separately or added later. Applications are accepted at any Voivodeship Office (Urząd Wojewódzki) in Poland or at any Republic of Poland consular office abroad. Appointments are made via the e-konsulat system. If the photo does not comply with requirements, the passport authority will reject the application.
Photo Compliance Checklist
- Size: 35 × 45 mm, colour, 600 DPI minimum.
- Background: Plain white, no shadows or objects.
- Face Coverage: 70–80% of the frame; head height 32–36 mm.
- Expression: Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open and forward-facing.
- Ears: Fully visible — hair must not cover them.
- Glasses: Allowed only if non-tinted, no glare, eyes fully visible.
- Recency: Taken within the last 6 months.
- Retouching: No digital alterations or enhancements.
Avoid Application Rejection in 2026
Non-compliant photos are one of the most common reasons Polish passport applications are rejected at the point of submission. Our AI tool automatically checks head size, face coverage, background uniformity, and eye positioning against the official MSWiA biometric targets — producing a 35 × 45 mm photo ready for immediate submission at any passport office or Polish consulate.