Sweden Passport Photo Requirements 2026: The Complete Guide
Applying for a Swedish passport in 2026 means meeting some of the strictest biometric photo standards in Europe. Whether you are renewing an expiring document, applying for the very first time, or updating after a name change, understanding the exact technical requirements set by Polismyndigheten (the Swedish Police Authority) will save you from a costly, time-consuming rejection at the counter. Thousands of passport applications are delayed every year in Sweden because the submitted photo fails one or more of the biometric criteria — and the most common reason is that applicants simply did not know what the rules were. This guide covers every official requirement for a Sweden passport photo in 2026, including dimensions, background colour, face size, eye positioning, acceptable expressions, glasses rules, and the most frequent mistakes people make when taking a Swedish passport photo at home or in a photo booth.
Official Swedish Passport Photo Size and Dimensions
The correct Sweden passport photo size is 35 × 45 mm (width × height). At a resolution of 300 DPI this translates to exactly 413 × 531 pixels. These measurements are non-negotiable — submitting a photo that is even slightly the wrong size, whether printed or digital, will result in automatic rejection. Many applicants searching for the Swedish passport photo dimensions in inches should note that 35 mm equals approximately 1.38 inches and 45 mm equals approximately 1.77 inches. If you are printing at home or ordering online, always verify that your printing service delivers the photo at the correct physical size and at full 300 DPI resolution to ensure crisp, clear biometric detail.
Background Colour: Why Pure White Matters
The background of your Swedish passport photo must be plain white — not off-white, not light grey, not cream. Polismyndigheten's automated facial recognition systems are calibrated for a pure white background, and any colour cast, shadow, or gradient behind the head will cause the photo to be flagged or rejected. This is one of the most common reasons a Sweden passport photo taken in poor lighting or against a painted wall fails. Our AI background removal tool replaces any existing background with a perfectly calibrated white, ensuring your photo passes the automated background check every time. Avoid patterned walls, coloured curtains, and any background that creates contrast behind your shoulders or hair.
Head Size and Face Position: The 71–80% Rule
This is the requirement that trips up the most applicants. In a valid Swedish passport photo, your head must occupy between 71% and 80% of the total image height — meaning the distance from the top of your head (or hair) to the bottom of your chin must fall within that range relative to the full 45 mm photo height. That works out to roughly 32–36 mm of face height within the frame. If your head is too small — a very common result of standing too far from the camera — the photo will be rejected. If your head is too large and crops the top of your hair or forehead, it will also be rejected. Our AI automatically detects your facial landmarks and scales the crop to place your head at exactly the right size within the frame, every single time.
Eye Height Positioning in a Swedish Passport Photo
Beyond head size, Polismyndigheten also specifies where your eyes must appear vertically within the photo. Your eyes should be positioned between 56% and 69% from the bottom of the image — in other words, roughly in the upper-middle portion of the frame. This requirement exists to support automated biometric matching systems that use eye position as a primary reference point. When taking a Sweden passport photo at home, tilt the camera slightly downward if your eyes are appearing too high, or upward if they are sitting too low. Our AI crop engine handles this positioning automatically by detecting your eye coordinates and adjusting the frame accordingly.
Sweden Passport Photo — Official Biometric Specifications 2026
Facial Expression: Neutral, Mouth Closed, Eyes Open
Swedish passport photo rules require a neutral facial expression with your mouth firmly closed and both eyes fully open. Smiling is not permitted — not even a slight, natural smile. This applies to adults and children alike. Your gaze must be directed straight at the camera lens, not upward, downward, or to the side. Blinking, squinting, or partially closed eyes will cause rejection. This neutral-expression rule exists because facial recognition algorithms used at border control perform significantly better when the geometry of the face is in a relaxed, symmetrical resting position. If you are taking a Sweden passport photo at home using a smartphone, take several shots and review them carefully before submitting — subtle micro-expressions are easy to miss on a small screen.
Glasses: Not Permitted in Swedish Passport Photos
Since 2015, glasses of any kind are not permitted in Swedish passport photos. This includes prescription glasses, reading glasses, sunglasses, tinted lenses, and contact lenses that alter eye colour. Even thin wire-frame glasses that appear transparent in photos must be removed. The reason is straightforward: frames and lenses can obscure parts of the eye area that biometric systems rely on, and lens reflections can interfere with iris recognition technology used at automated border crossings. If you normally wear glasses every day, simply remove them for the photo — you do not need a separate exemption or medical certificate to do so.
Lighting, Shadows, and Photo Quality
A technically valid Sweden passport photo must be sharp, in focus, and taken with even, diffuse lighting. There must be no shadows on the face or behind the head, no red-eye effect, and no motion blur. Natural daylight from a window is ideal for a home passport photo, but avoid direct sunlight that creates harsh shadows under the nose and chin. Flash photography should be used carefully — a direct frontal flash can wash out facial detail, while an off-axis flash creates unacceptable shadows. The photo must be in colour; black-and-white photos are not accepted. If you are submitting a digital photo for an online passport renewal or e-service application through Polismyndigheten's portal, the file must be a JPEG with a minimum resolution of 300 DPI and a file size that meets the portal's upload requirements.
Passport Photo for Children and Infants in Sweden
All Swedish citizens, including newborns, require their own individual passport. For infant and baby passport photos in Sweden, the same biometric rules apply — white background, neutral expression, eyes open, head within the 71–80% height range. For very young babies who cannot sit up independently, lay the infant on a white sheet and photograph from directly above, then crop the image to the correct 35 × 45 mm dimensions. Our AI can detect infant facial landmarks and adjust the crop accordingly, making it far easier to produce a valid baby passport photo in Sweden without visiting a professional studio.
Checklist: Is Your Swedish Passport Photo Valid?
- Size: Exactly 35 × 45 mm (413 × 531 px at 300 DPI).
- Background: Pure white, no shadows, no patterns.
- Head height: 71% to 80% of total image height.
- Eye position: 56% to 69% from the bottom of the image.
- Expression: Neutral, mouth closed, eyes fully open.
- Glasses: Not permitted under any circumstances.
- Lighting: Even, no shadows on face or background.
- Colour: Full colour JPEG, minimum 300 DPI.
- Recency: Photo must have been taken within the last six months.
Get a Polismyndigheten-Approved Passport Photo Instantly
Stop worrying about whether your photo will be accepted. Our AI checks every biometric requirement — head size, eye position, background, expression — and produces a print-ready 35 × 45 mm Swedish passport photo that meets all 2026 Polismyndigheten standards. Upload your selfie and receive a validated, downloadable photo in under 60 seconds.