Portuguese Passport Photo Requirements 2026 – IRN Rules

The IRN (Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado) is the Portuguese authority responsible for identity documents, including passports and the Cartão de Cidadão. The IRN follows the ICAO Doc 9303 biometric standard, the same international framework used by all EU member states and most countries worldwide.

The ICAO standard ensures that biometric facial recognition systems used at border control — including e-passport gates across the EU Schengen area — can reliably match a traveller to their document. To meet this standard, your photo must capture the full face without obstruction, with even lighting, a neutral expression, and a plain light background that provides good contrast with the face.

No glasses are permitted in Portuguese passport photos. This rule follows the ICAO recommendation adopted across the EU: glasses can cause glare or frame obstruction that reduces the accuracy of automated biometric matching. Transparent contact lenses are permitted; coloured or tinted contact lenses are not.

The same photo requirements apply to the Cartão de Cidadão, Portugal's national identity card. Whether you are applying for a passport or the Cartão de Cidadão, you need a 35×45mm ICAO-compliant photo taken within the last 6 months.

Both documents are biometric and contain a chip storing the holder's facial image and fingerprints. The photo on the document is used for both visual and electronic verification. For this reason, the IRN applies the same strict photo standard to both documents.

Portugal accepts digital photo submission for passport and Cartão de Cidadão applications. You can upload your photo through the IRN online portal or via Espaço Cidadão, the Portuguese government's digital services platform.

For digital submission, your photo must meet the same technical requirements as a printed photo, plus additional digital specifications: it should be a JPEG file, at least 300 DPI resolution, with a minimum pixel size consistent with 35×45mm at print resolution. The file size and exact upload requirements may vary depending on the portal — always check the current guidelines on the official IRN or Espaço Cidadão website before submitting.

If you are applying in person at an IRN office or Loja do Cidadão (Citizen's Shop), you can bring a printed 35×45mm photo or use on-site facilities where available.

Portuguese passports are valid for 10 years for adults. For applicants under 25 years of age, validity is 5 years.

Regardless of passport validity, your passport photo must have been taken within the last 6 months at the time of application. A photo that accurately represents your current appearance is required. If your appearance has changed significantly since your last passport was issued, you should apply for a new passport even if the old one has not yet expired.