Italian Passport Photo Requirements 2026 – Questura & IPZS Guide

Italian passport photos must be 35 mm wide and 45 mm tall. The head — from chin to crown including hair — must measure between 32 mm and 36 mmwithin the photo.

The background must be plain white or very light grey, completely uniform and free of shadows. Your face must clearly contrast with the background. Shadows from hair, ears, or clothing are one of the most common rejection causes.

Your expression must be neutral — mouth closed, no smile, eyes fully open and looking directly at the camera. Both eyes and ears should be visible. The head must be straight, not tilted. Headwear is not permitted unless worn for religious or medical reasons, and even then the full face from forehead to chin must remain visible.

Italian passport applications are processed at the local Questura (police headquarters) or Commissariato di Pubblica Sicurezza. Appointments must be booked through the Agenda passaporti system at agendaonline.poliziadistato.it.

In major cities such as Rome, Milan, and Naples, appointments can be booked out several weeks or months in advance. Book as early as possible and check cancellation slots regularly if your date is approaching.

At the appointment, bring your printed passport photos (typically two), completed application form, supporting identity documents, and proof of payment of the passport fee. Questura staff will verify your photo against biometric requirements on the spot.

Italy has been expanding digital passport services through the Portale del Passaporto. Eligible adult citizens may be able to initiate a renewal online, upload a digital biometric photo, and then attend a brief in-person verification at a Questura for biometric data capture.

The digital photo must meet the same 35×45 mm ICAO biometric requirements: white or light grey background, neutral expression, no glasses, minimum resolution. Check current eligibility criteria and available services at poliziadistato.it.

The carta d'identità elettronica (CIE) uses the same 35×45 mm ICAO photo standard as the passaporto elettronico. The CIE is issued by the Comune (municipal authority) at the local Anagrafe office, not the Questura.

At the Comune appointment, your biometric photo is typically captured digitally on-site. You may not need to bring printed photos for a CIE application — contact your local Comune to confirm whether pre-printed photos are required or if digital capture is performed at the counter.

The CIE is valid for 10 years for adults (18+), 5 years for those aged 3–17, and 3 years for children under 3. It functions as a travel document within the EU and several other countries.

Non-EU nationals residing in Italy must apply for a permesso di soggiorno (residence permit) through the Questura. The photo requirements are the same ICAO 35×45mm format:

• 35×45 mm, white or light grey background, uniform
• Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open
• No glasses
• Head 32–36 mm
• Taken within 6 months

Applications are submitted by post via the Kit del Permesso di Soggiorno, available at major Post Offices (Poste Italiane offices with Sportello Amico services). Bring four passport photos when submitting your kit. The Questura then schedules an in-person appointment for biometric data collection.

The Italian driving licence (patente di guida) requires the same 35×45 mm passport-style photo format. The background, expression, and no-glasses requirements are identical to the passport. Applications for a new driving licence or licence renewal are processed through the Motorizzazione Civile (MIT — Ministero delle Infrastrutture e dei Trasporti) or through an authorised driving school (autoscuola).

A compliant 35×45 mm photo that meets Italian passport requirements will also satisfy the driving licence photo requirements.

Overseas Italians (Italiani all'estero) applying for recognition of Italian citizenship (riconoscimento della cittadinanza italiana) at an Italian consulate abroad must submit passport-style photos as part of their application. The photo requirements follow the same ICAO 35×45 mm standard:

• 35×45 mm, white or light grey background
• Neutral expression, no glasses
• Taken within 6 months
• Full colour, photographic quality

The number of photos required and whether digital submissions are accepted may vary by consulate. Confirm exact requirements with your nearest Italian consulate well in advance of your appointment, as citizenship applications can take considerable time to process.