French Passport Photo Requirements 2026 – ANTS Complete Guide

France introduced its biometric passport (passeport biométrique) in 2006. The document contains a contactless chip storing the holder's facial biometric data and fingerprints in line with ICAO Doc 9303. All new French passports issued since then are biometric e-passports, enabling automated verification at e-gates in countries that support ICAO biometric readers.

The strict photo requirements — neutral expression, no glasses, white or off-white background — exist specifically to ensure the biometric facial template stored on the chip can be reliably matched at border control.

ANTS requires a white or very light off-white background. Unlike Germany and Austria, France does not accept a grey background for passport or CNI photos. The background must be uniform and completely free of shadows, gradients, or patterns.

Your face must clearly contrast with the background. If you have very light skin or white hair, slightly increase the distance between yourself and the background and use soft frontal lighting to avoid blending with the white surface.

French passport applications can be submitted in two ways:

• In person at a mairie (town hall) or préfecture: Bring two printed 35×45 mm passport photos along with your supporting documents. The mairie digitises your photo as part of the biometric enrolment process.
• Online via the ANTS portal (ants.gouv.fr): French nationals can renew their passeport biométrique online for eligible renewal cases. Upload a digital photo or enter a code from an ANTS-certified photomaton.

First-time adult applicants and children under 18 generally require an in-person visit to a mairie. The ANTS portal provides a step-by-step guide and can direct you to the nearest service point.

France has a dense network of photomatons (automated photo booths) at:

• Tabac (tobacconist shops): Very common in French towns; most modern machines are ANTS-certified.
• La Poste (post offices): Many branches have ANTS-certified machines.
• Pharmacies: Some pharmacies offer passport photo machines or services.
• Supermarkets and train stations: Major chains and busy stations often have photomaton machines.

ANTS-certified machines display the ANTS logo and produce a printed photo strip plus a 9-digit digital reference code. Enter this code directly into the ANTS portal when submitting your application — no manual photo upload required.

The same 35×45 mm ANTS photo standard applies to both the passeport biométrique and the carte nationale d'identité électronique (CNI). There is no difference in photo requirements between the two documents. Both are valid for travel within the EU and several other countries.

CNI applications follow the same mairie submission process. CNI photo submissions can also be handled via pre-application online forms that generate a request code used at the mairie appointment.

Non-EU nationals residing in France who need to apply for or renew their titre de séjour (residence permit) must submit the same 35×45 mm ICAO photo format. The specifications are identical to the French passport:

• White or off-white background, uniform and shadow-free
• Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open
• No glasses
• Head 32–36 mm
• Taken within 6 months

Titre de séjour applications are submitted via the ANEF online portal (administration-etrangers-en-france.interieur.gouv.fr) or at a préfecture. Digital photo uploads are accepted through the ANEF portal. Confirm the exact submission process with your local préfecture.

Children and babies require the same ANTS photo format (35×45 mm, white or off-white background). Practical allowances for very young children:

• Eyes do not need to be fully open for newborns and infants
• The child must appear alone — no parent visible in the photo
• Face must be clearly visible and centred
• Background must still be white or off-white — a white sheet or surface works well
• No accessories, dummies, or toys visible

Child passports in France are issued with 5-year validity (under 15) vs 10-year validity for adults. A CNI for minors has 10-year validity from the date of issue.