Greek Passport Photo Requirements 2026 – Hellenic Police Rules

The Hellenic Police (Ελληνική Αστυνομία) is the authority responsible for issuing Greek passports and national identity cards (Δελτίο Ταυτότητας). Applications can be submitted at local police stations (Αστυνομικά Τμήματα) or through the Greek consulate if you are applying from abroad.

Greece aligns with ICAO biometric requirements in terms of face visibility, expression, and lighting — but uses a larger photo format (40×60mm) compared to the 35×45mm used by most EU countries. This is a well-known exception in European passport photography. If you are unsure whether your specific application requires 40×60mm or a different size, always confirm directly with the issuing office.

The Δελτίο Ταυτότητας (Greek national identity card) uses the same photo requirements as the passport. Both documents are biometric and use the holder's photo for electronic and visual verification. Whether you are applying for a passport or the national identity card, you will need a photo that meets the same size and quality standards.

Greek citizens may use the national identity card as a travel document within the EU/EEA and in certain other countries. Keeping your identity card photo current and compliant with the latest requirements is important for both domestic identification and travel.

Like all ICAO-aligned countries, Greece does not permit glasses in passport photos. The ban on glasses is driven by the needs of automated biometric facial recognition systems used at border crossings — glasses can cause glare and frame obstruction that reduces matching accuracy.

Transparent contact lenses are permitted. Coloured or tinted contact lenses that visibly alter the colour of your eyes are not permitted.

Since 1 February 2026, applications made inside Greece must submit the passport photograph digitally through the official myPhoto service on the gov.gr portal — printed photographs were accepted only during the transition period, up to 31 January 2026. In practice, a professional photographer uploads your photo directly into myPhoto, and you reference it during the application. Printed 40×60 mm photos still apply to applications made at Greek consular authorities abroad, so confirm which route applies to you.

The National Passport Center specifies precise proportions in line with ICAO Doc 9303: the face length (from the chin to the top of the head) should be 31–35 mm; the head-and-shoulders image should fill roughly 70–75% of the photo; and the distance from the chin to the top of the forehead should be 50–60% of the image height. Printed photos produced from a digital camera must be resolved at at least 1200 dpi. The background must be plain and light, the expression neutral with a closed mouth, and the photo taken within the last six months.

Greek passport fees are paid as an administrative fee (e-paravolo) through the gov.gr platform, by web banking, or at a bank or post office. As of 2026 the published fees are:

• Adults (10-year validity): €84.40
• Children aged 14 and over (10-year validity): €84.40
• Children under 14 (3-year validity): €73.60

The photograph itself is not part of the state fee — you either pay a photographer for the myPhoto upload or create a compliant photo yourself. Always confirm the current fee on the official e-paravolo page before paying, as amounts can be updated.

Applications are made in person at the local passport office of the Hellenic Police, or at a Greek consular authority if you are applying from abroad. Passports are typically issued within 3 to 9 business days and are collected from the same office where the application was submitted.

One important change to plan for: from 3 August 2026, the National Passport Center requires applicants over the age of 12 to hold and present the new-type Greek National Identity Card when applying for a passport. If your national ID card is an older type, renew it first. Because rules and dates can change, always verify the current requirements with the National Passport Center before you apply.