head 60–75 %
Free: cropping, background replacement, check
14-day refund if the authority rejects the photo
SourceMinistry of the Interior of Spain and the Policía Nacional (DNI electrónico portal)
Verified
Quick answer: A Spain ID card photo must be 26 × 32 mm. Uniform white background. Head occupies 60–75% of photo height. Neutral expression, clear lenses only, no glare. Last verified .
Requirements
| Format | 26 × 32 mmICAO 9303: 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Head height | 60–75% of photo heightICAO 9303: 70–80% |
| Background | Uniform white background. Make photo background white — Spain ID card → |
| Pose | Full face, open and clearly identifiable. |
| Expression | Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open. |
| Glasses | No dark glasses or objects obstructing identification. See full rules → |
| Lighting | Shadows, overexposure, and reflections not permitted. |
| Head covering | Religious reasons only; must not cover the facial oval. |
| Attire | The facial oval, including eyebrows, eyes, nose, mouth, and chin, must be clearly visible. |
| File format | JPEG · sRGB / 24-bit |
| Millimetres | 26 × 32 mm |
|---|---|
| Centimetres | 2.6 × 3.2 cm |
| Inches | 1.02 × 1.25″ |
| Pixels at 300 dpi | 307 × 378 px |
| Pixels at 600 dpi | 614 × 756 px |
The photograph for the Spanish DNI (Documento Nacional de Identidad) is set by the Policía Nacional and the Ministry of the Interior: a recent colour photograph of the face, 32 by 26 millimetres, on a uniform, plain white background, taken from the front, with the head fully uncovered and without dark glasses or anything else that could hinder identification. It must not be older than 2 years, must faithfully represent the person, and a blurred one can be rejected.
Head coverings are accepted for religious or medical reasons if the oval of the face — from the hairline to the chin, with forehead, eyebrows, eyes, nose and mouth — is fully uncovered; the forehead cannot be covered, a fringe must leave eyebrows, eyes, nose, mouth and chin visible, ears need not show, the eyes must be open, and dark glasses are admitted only for blind people or those with a serious, permanent or long-lasting eye defect who use them habitually. The photograph can also be taken automatically at the Documentation Unit that has the equipment.
Examples and mistakes
A photo that will be accepted, next to the six most common reasons Spain ID card photos get rejected.
Typical reasons a photo is rejected under the rules Ministry of the Interior of Spain and the Policía Nacional (DNI electrónico portal) publishes: what is wrong and what to change.
| Reason | Fix |
|---|---|
| A photo older than 2 years, or one that does not faithfully show you | Use a photograph taken within the last 2 years that looks like you today. |
| A background that is not uniform, plain white | Use a uniform, plain white background. |
| Dark glasses, a hat or anything that hinders identification | Take them off and keep the head uncovered (religious or medical coverings must leave the face oval visible). |
| Forehead or eyebrows covered by a fringe, closed eyes, or a face not from the front | Show eyebrows, eyes, nose, mouth and chin, look at the camera with open eyes. |
How to take it
Background: plain white
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: 60–75 % of the photo height
Camera at eye level, about a metre away; head and shoulders in the shot. The tool crops it to 26 × 32 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″ | 15 (5 × 3) |
|---|---|
| A4 · 21 × 29.7 cm | 72 (8 × 9) |
Print at 100% scale, borderless, and turn off fit-to-page so each photo keeps its exact size.
A DNI is processed in person at a Documentation Unit of the Policía Nacional with an appointment (cita previa) and payment of the fee; the unit can take the photograph automatically, so you may not need to bring one.
Book on the cita previa service of the Policía Nacional
Photograph 32 by 26 millimetres, colour, white background, at most 2 years old; may be taken automatically.
Authority page| Authority | Ministry of the Interior of Spain and the Policía Nacional (DNI electrónico portal) |
|---|---|
| Source | Spanish DNI photo requirements |
| Verified |
Questions
A recent colour photograph of the face, 32 by 26 millimetres, on a uniform plain white background, from the front, head uncovered, without dark glasses, at most 2 years old, with the eyes open and the forehead, eyebrows, nose, mouth and chin visible.
32 by 26 millimetres (the official wording is «32 por 26 milímetros»), a portrait photograph — smaller than the 35 × 45 mm passport photo.
At most 2 years, according to the Policía Nacional, and it must faithfully represent you.
Ordinary glasses are allowed if they let your eyes be seen. Dark glasses are admitted only for blind people or those with a serious, permanent or long-lasting eye defect who use them habitually.
Not always: the Documentation Units that have the automated equipment can take it themselves, also at a renewal without a change of data even if you bring one.
The Spain ID card photo must be 26 × 32 mm. The head must occupy 60–75% of the photo height. The photo should look like you do day to day.
Uniform white background. A plain, evenly lit wall without shadows or pattern is enough — the tool sets the required background colour.
Yes. Stand against a plain light wall facing a window, and take the photo with a timer or ask someone to help. The tool crops it to size, fixes the background and checks the framing.
We refund the payment in full. Email us within 14 days of purchase with your order number and the rejection notice from the Spain authority.
26 × 32 mm = 2.6 × 3.2 cm = 1.02 × 1.25 inches. At 300 dpi that is 307 × 378 pixels; at 600 dpi, 614 × 756 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 26 × 32 mm format and head size apply to: passport.