head 70–80 %
Free: cropping, background replacement, check
14-day refund if the authority rejects the photo
SourceInstituto dos Registos e do Notariado (IRN), gov.pt and the consulates of Portugal
Verified
Quick answer: The recommended Portugal passport photo size is 35 × 45 mm. Plain light background without textures or noticeable gradients. Head occupies 70–80% of photo height. Neutral expression, clear lenses only, no glare. Last verified .
Requirements
| Format | 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Head height | 70–80% of photo height |
| Background | Plain light background without textures or noticeable gradients. |
| Pose | Strictly full face, head without rotation or tilt, shoulders level. |
| Expression | Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open. |
| Glasses | Clear glasses only, no reflections; sunglasses prohibited. See full rules → |
| Lighting | Shadows on the face and background not permitted. |
| Head covering | Religious reasons only; must not cover the facial oval. |
| Attire | Neutral clothing, shoulders visible, 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 a regular Portuguese passport you bring no photograph. The biometric picture is taken at the counter together with the fingerprints and the signature: the Madeira public-services portal writes that biometric data are collected at the counter and «it is not necessary to bring a photograph», and the consulates in Montreal («it is not necessary to bring a photograph»), Zurich («photographs are not necessary») and Luanda («the photograph for the new passport is taken at the Consulate, with specific equipment») say the same.
A photograph is asked for in two cases only. The temporary passport — exceptional, not electronic, valid for one year — wants two identical face photographs of passport type, taken less than a year ago, in colour, on a plain background, «with good identification conditions and measurements suited to the passport model» (three photographs at Luanda).
And for a baby or child up to two years old the Montreal consulate advises e-mailing a «.jpg» of at least 830 pixels wide and 1100 pixels high before the visit, to avoid waiting.
Examples and mistakes
One compliant example next to the six most common rejection causes for Portugal passport applications. These are the differences that most often determine whether a document photo is accepted.
Typical reasons a photo is rejected under the rules Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado (IRN), gov.pt and the consulates of Portugal publishes: what is wrong and what to change.
| Reason | Fix |
|---|---|
| A temporary-passport photo older than one year | Use a photograph taken less than a year ago. |
| Black-and-white, or a photo on a patterned background (temporary passport) | Use colour prints on a plain background. |
| Two photos that are not identical, or the wrong number for your post | Bring identical prints: two at most posts, three at Luanda. |
| White clothing at the on-site photo (can cause a technical rejection) | Wear a colour that contrasts with the background. |
| A baby photo sent to Montreal below 830 × 1100 pixels or not a JPEG | Send a JPEG of at least 830 pixels wide and 1100 pixels high. |
How to take it
Background: plain light
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: 70–80 % of the photo height
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.
A regular Portuguese passport is requested in person: in Portugal at an IRN counter or a Loja do Cidadão, abroad at the Portuguese consulate that covers you. The photograph, fingerprints and signature are taken there, so you bring no photograph; only a temporary passport needs printed photographs.
gov.pt service «Pedir ou renovar o passaporte eletrónico português»
Photograph taken at the counter; bring your Cartão de Cidadão or Bilhete de Identidade.
Authority pageBook through the Portal das Comunidades Portuguesas
Photograph taken at the post; temporary passport: 2 identical colour photos under a year old on a plain background (3 at Luanda).
Authority page| Authority | Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado (IRN), gov.pt and the consulates of Portugal |
|---|---|
| Source | ICAO biometric portrait baseline |
| Verified |
Questions
Not for a regular passport: the biometric photograph is taken at the counter or the consulate with the fingerprints and signature, and the Madeira portal and the consulates in Montreal, Zurich and Luanda say you need not bring one. Only the temporary passport asks for printed photographs.
Two identical face photographs of passport type, taken less than a year ago, in colour, on a plain background, with good identification conditions and measurements suited to the passport model; Luanda asks for three. The consulates do not give a size in millimetres.
The photograph is taken at the appointment. For babies and children up to 2 years the Montreal consulate advises e-mailing, to avoid waiting, a «.jpg» at least 830 pixels wide and 1100 pixels high; the other posts read did not say this.
Avoid white. The consulate in Salvador da Bahia warns that white clothing interferes with the quality of the photo and can delay the passport, and recommends a different colour to avoid a technical rejection and a second trip.
The recommended size for the Portugal passport photo is 35 × 45 mm. The head occupies 70–80% of the photo height.
Plain light background without textures or noticeable gradients. No gradients, textures, shadows or objects behind the subject are permitted. The tool removes background shadows automatically, but starting with a flat, evenly lit wall gives the best result.
Yes. Stand in front of a flat, plain wall in good natural light, face the light source and use the rear camera of your phone with a 3-second timer. The tool handles the crop, background normalisation and compliance check against the Portugal biometric standard.
Most passport authorities require the photo to be taken within the last six months. Do not reuse an older portrait even if your appearance has not changed.
Anfas.Pro provides a 14-day full refund if the photo is rejected by the Portugal authority and you supply the official rejection notice. See the refund policy page for the exact process.
Clear glasses only, no reflections; sunglasses prohibited. In practice, the biometric scanner at submission points flags even minor lens glare that looks fine to the naked eye. Removing glasses before shooting is the only option that eliminates the risk entirely.
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 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: residence permit.