head 67–80 %
Free: cropping, background replacement, check
14-day refund if the authority rejects the photo
SourceFederal Ministry of the Interior of Austria (BMI) and the oesterreich.gv.at portal
Verified
Quick answer: The recommended Austria residence permit photo size is 35 × 45 mm. Recent photo (max 6 months old), plain background without shadows. Head occupies 67–80% of photo height (30–36 mm chin to crown). Neutral expression, clear lenses only, no glare. Last verified .
Requirements
| Format | 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Head height | 67–80% of photo heightICAO 9303: 70–80% |
| Head height (mm) | 30–36 mm chin to crownICAO 9303: 32–36 mm |
| Background | Recent photo (max 6 months old), plain background without shadows. |
| Pose | Full face, no tilt or rotation, face clearly visible and filling most of the frame. |
| Expression | Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open. |
| Glasses | Eyes must be fully visible; no tinted lenses or strong reflections. See full rules → |
| Lighting | Shadows, overexposure, and reflections not permitted. |
| Head covering | Religious or medical reasons only; must not cover the facial oval. |
| Attire | Neutral clothing without uniform or distracting accessories. |
| File format | JPEG · sRGB / 24-bit |
| Millimetres | 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Centimetres | 3.5 × 4.5 cm |
| Inches | 1.38 × 1.77″ |
| Pixels at 300 dpi | 413 × 531 px |
| Pixels at 600 dpi | 827 × 1063 px |
For an Austrian residence permit the settlement authority wants «a photo that is not older than half a year (size 45 × 35 mm)» next to a valid travel document, proof of a customary accommodation, health insurance that covers all risks and proof of secure means of living — the application fee is 218 euros. The photo must follow the BMI photo criteria: 35 mm wide and 45 mm high, in colour — «black-and-white photos cannot be used for the passport, the identity card or the residence permit», the head from the chin to the crown about two thirds of the picture and at most 36 mm, the eye distance at least 8 mm, the head centred, a single-colour light background — ideally grey, medium grey for fair hair and light grey for dark — without a pattern or shadow, a neutral expression, the mouth closed, frontal, the eyes looking straight into the camera and not covered by hair, no sunglasses or tinted lenses, no headwear except for religious or medical reasons, with the face visible from the chin to the forehead, printed on glossy smooth paper without surface structure, scratches or creases.
A first application is made in person abroad at the Austrian representation (BMEIA) before entry — which forwards it to the settlement authority — or in Austria in person at the settlement authority (the district authority, the Magistrat in statutory cities, MA 35 in Vienna), where some authorities require an appointment; the permit is collected in person within six months.
Examples and mistakes
A photo that will be accepted, next to the six most common reasons Austria residence permit photos get rejected.
Typical reasons a photo is rejected under the rules Federal Ministry of the Interior of Austria (BMI) and the oesterreich.gv.at portal publishes: what is wrong and what to change.
| Reason | Fix |
|---|---|
| A black-and-white photo, a photo older than half a year, or one that is not 35 × 45 mm | A colour photo of 35 × 45 mm taken in the last six months. |
| A head higher than 36 mm, eyes less than 8 mm apart, a head not centred, a mirrored or distorted picture | Head about two thirds of the picture and at most 36 mm, eyes at least 8 mm apart, centred, no mirroring. |
| A patterned or shadowed background, no contrast to the face and hair, another person in the picture | A single-colour light background, ideally grey, with only the person in the picture. |
| A half-profile pose, an open mouth, hair over the eyes, reflections on glasses, tinted lenses, sunglasses, headwear without a religious or medical reason | Frontal, neutral, mouth closed, eyes open and clear, clear glasses without reflection, no headwear unless required. |
How to take it
Background: plain, one colour
The tool puts in the required background. Stand half a metre from a plain light wall, face a window and shoot without flash — then there are no shadows on your face or on the wall.
Head: 67–80 % of the photo height (30–36 mm)
Camera at eye level, about a metre away; head and shoulders in the shot. The tool crops it to 35 × 45 mm.
Clear lenses only, no glare
If you wear glasses, check the shot: no glare on the lenses, eyes clearly visible.
Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open
Look straight into the lens with your head level; keep hair away from your eyes and eyebrows.
An ordinary selfie will do: we fix the background, light and framing ourselves — to this document's rules. The preview is free.
Head straightHold the phone at eye level and your head straightens by itself.
Face uncoveredMove your hair away so your eyes and eyebrows show.
No glare on glassesStand so that no light reflects in the lenses.Printing and submission
| 10 × 15 cm · 4 × 6″ | 8 (4 × 2) |
|---|---|
| A4 · 21 × 29.7 cm | 36 (6 × 6) |
Print at 100% scale, borderless, and turn off fit-to-page so each photo keeps its exact size.
An Austrian residence permit is applied for in person — abroad at the Austrian representation (BMEIA) before entry, or in Austria at the settlement authority of the intended residence — with a colour photo not older than half a year and the other documents; the permit is collected in person.
oesterreich.gv.at — residence permit; the settlement authority for your intended residence
A colour photo 35 × 45 mm, not older than half a year; no black-and-white.
Authority page| Authority | Federal Ministry of the Interior of Austria (BMI) and the oesterreich.gv.at portal |
|---|---|
| Source | Austrian residence permit photo requirement |
| Verified |
Questions
A colour photo not older than half a year, 35 × 45 mm, the head about two thirds of the picture and at most 36 mm, eyes at least 8 mm apart, a single-colour light background (ideally grey) without pattern or shadow, a neutral expression with the mouth closed, frontal; black-and-white is not allowed.
The portal writes 45 × 35 mm (height × width); the BMI criteria give 35 mm wide and 45 mm high, with the head at most 36 mm.
No: the BMI says black-and-white photos cannot be used for the passport, the identity card or the residence permit.
The application fee is 218 euros on the Niederlassungsbewilligung page of oesterreich.gv.at.
The recommended size for the Austria residence permit photo is 35 × 45 mm. The head occupies 67–80% of the photo height.
Usually no older than six months; some immigration offices ask for a more recent one. Take a new photo that looks like you on the day you apply.
Recent photo (max 6 months old), plain background without shadows. A plain, evenly lit wall without shadows or pattern is enough — the tool sets the required background colour.
Only if the size and rules are the same and the photo is still recent. Otherwise take a new one: the same selfie can be turned into photos for both documents.
Take a new photo: it should show how you look now — hairstyle, beard, glasses.
We refund the payment in full. Email us within 14 days of purchase with your order number and the rejection notice from the Austria immigration office.
35 × 45 mm = 3.5 × 4.5 cm = 1.38 × 1.77 inches. At 300 dpi that is 413 × 531 pixels; at 600 dpi, 827 × 1063 pixels.
Religious or medical reasons only; must not cover the facial oval. The face must stay fully visible from chin to forehead and on both sides, with no shadow across it.
Yes. The same 35 × 45 mm format and head size apply to: EU blue card, EU long-term residence permit, refugee travel document, residence card for family member of an EU citizen.