Quick answer: A Spain residence card photo must be 26 × 32 mm with even white background. Head occupies 60–75% of photo height. Neutral expression, see glasses rule. Last verified .
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| Format | 26 × 32 mmICAO 9303: 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Head height | 60–75% of photo heightICAO 9303: 70–80% |
| Background | Even white background. |
| Pose | Full face, no tilt, face centred. |
| Expression | Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open. |
| Glasses | No dark glasses or reflections. See full rules → |
| Lighting | Shadows, overexposure, and reflections not permitted. |
| Head covering | Religious reasons only; must not cover the facial oval. |
| Attire | Neutral clothing without uniform or distracting accessories. |
| Digital resolution | Check the authority portal before digital upload |
| File format | JPEG · sRGB / 24-bit |
| File size | Check the authority portal before upload |
| 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.
Spain residence card photos — for the TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero), the physical card most people call the tarjeta de residencia — are administered by the Spanish National Police (Policía Nacional) — Extranjería department. Don't confuse it with the NIE: the NIE is only your foreigner identity number and needs no photo at all, while the TIE is the plastic card your photo goes on.
Official checklists ask for exactly ONE photo — «una fotografía reciente, en color, en fondo blanco, tamaño carné» (one recent colour photograph, white background, Spanish carné size). The «tamaño carné» format comes from the DNI photo rules (RD 1553/2005), which write it as «32 por 26 milímetros» — height before width in the official wording, so it is the same portrait photo shown here as 26×32mm (width × height), one of the smaller formats in major EU countries.
The immigration regulation RD 1155/2024 confirms the TIE photo must follow the DNI photo standard: uniform plain white background, taken from the front, head fully uncovered, no dark glasses. You hand the photo in personally at the Oficina de Extranjería or a Comisaría de Policía (book a cita previa via the public-administration e-office), together with application form EX-17, your passport, the resolución approving your permit where applicable, and the paid tasa 790 código 012 fee slip.
The same single-photo rule applies to renewals (renovación) and replacement cards (duplicado).
| Authority | Policía Nacional |
|---|---|
| Source | Spanish TIE residence card photo requirements |
| Verified | |
| Confidence | Official — exact |
One compliant example next to the six most common rejection causes for Spain residence card applications. The final decision always belongs to Policía Nacional, but these are the differences that most often determine whether a document photo is accepted.
Upload a portrait — the tool crops, removes the background and checks compliance against the 26 × 32 mm rule automatically.
Even white background. Plain, evenly lit, no shadow or texture. The photo is bound to your active legal residence status — immigration reviewers compare your live appearance to the photo at submission appointments, so quality matters.
Use daylight from a window in front of you. Avoid overhead lights that cast shadow under the brow. Many residence permit reviewers run an automated check before the in-person appointment — uneven lighting fails this check.
Camera at eye level, head straight, looking at the lens. Even a 5° tilt is grounds for rejection at the automated review stage. Place your phone on a stack of books to keep it steady.
Square shoulders, both visible. Centre your head in the frame. Residence permit applications often require both a digital upload AND a physical print — the same photo must work in both formats.
No dark glasses or reflections Removing glasses is the safest option for residence permit photos because the document validity is tied to legal status checks that may happen years later.
Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open. Residence permit photos are biometrically compared during status renewals — match the neutral expression style of an existing passport photo so future renewals do not flag inconsistency.
Solid dark colours that contrast with the background. Avoid uniforms, religious headwear except where permanently worn, and any clothing or accessories that cover the neckline or face.
Use a photo taken within the last three months. Residence permits are tied to active legal status — submitting an older photo, even one that technically meets the dimension rule, frequently triggers manual review and slows the application.
Policía Nacional publishes the following rejection codes. Knowing the exact code on your notice tells you precisely what to fix in the reshoot.
| Code | Reason | Fix |
|---|---|---|
ES-TIE-01 |
Photo not 26×32mm (Spanish unique smallest size) | Reprint at Spanish TIE-specific size |
ES-TIE-02 |
Photo not recent or no longer matching current appearance («una fotografía reciente» rule) | Submit one new recent colour photo — tamaño carné, white background |
ES-TIE-03 |
Background not pure white | Re-shoot against white backdrop |
ES-TIE-04 |
Face outside 70-80% of frame | Re-crop to spec |
ES-TIE-05 |
Glasses without medical justification | Re-shoot without glasses |
Residence permits are tied to your active legal status. Most authorities require a photo taken within the last three months — older photos, even ones that look similar to your current appearance, are routinely rejected.
Even white background is required. Immigration submission portals run a strict automated background check. Patterned wallpaper, off-white shade or shadow gradient are all rejection triggers.
Reusing your existing passport photo for a residence permit application is a common rejection cause. Even if dimensions match, immigration authorities typically require a fresh photo for each application.
Head must be straight and centred. Tilt above 3–5° fails the ICAO alignment check applied at both the automated pre-screening and the in-person biometric appointment.
If you have noticeably changed hair, weight, beard or facial features since the photo was taken, the immigration reviewer will reject the photo at the in-person submission stage and require a new one.
Glasses glare, hair across the eye area, or any clothing that covers the chin or face cause rejection at the automated stage. Religious head covering is acceptable only when permanently worn and documented in the application.
Smile, raised eyebrows or parted lips cause rejection. Residence permit photos must use the same neutral expression standard as biometric passports.
No. The NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) is an identity number, not a card — the assignment procedure uses form EX-15 and a tasa 790 código 012 fee receipt, with no photo in the document list. A photo is only required when you apply for the physical TIE card (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero), commonly called the tarjeta de residencia.
Both describe the same photo. Official Spanish texts write the carné size height-first — «32 por 26 milímetros» in the DNI rules (RD 1553/2005) that the TIE photo follows — while this page, like most photo services, writes width first: 26 × 32 mm. It is a portrait format, smaller than the EU-standard 35 × 45 mm used for most other documents.
One. Both interior.gob.es and the Policía Nacional e-office list «una fotografía reciente, en color, en fondo blanco, tamaño carné» — a single recent colour photo on a white background. The same single-photo requirement applies to first cards, renewals (renovación) and replacements (duplicado). If a guide tells you to bring three photos, it is outdated.
Book a cita previa through the public-administration e-office, then bring: the EX-17 application form, your passport (or travel document), the resolución approving your permit where applicable, proof of payment of tasa 790 código 012, and one printed photo — «tamaño carné», colour, on a white background. Applications are lodged in person at the Oficina de Extranjería or Comisaría de Policía of the province where you live.
The Spain residence card photo must be 26 × 32 mm. The head must occupy 60–75% of the photo height. Submit the photo with your application file or online portal as required by the immigration authority.
Residence permit photos often have stricter recency requirements than passport photos because the permit is tied to an active legal status. Submit a photo taken within the last three months where possible, even if the authority allows up to six months.
Even white background. The wall behind you must be evenly lit with no shadows. Patterns or off-white shades typically trigger automated pre-screening rejection at the immigration submission portal.
Usually no. Even when dimensions match, residence permit applications require a fresh photo that reflects your current appearance at the time of application. Reused passport photos are a frequent rejection cause.
If hair, beard, weight or facial features have changed noticeably, take a new photo. The immigration reviewer compares the photo to your current appearance during the in-person submission or biometric appointment.
Anfas.Pro provides a 14-day full refund if the Spain immigration authority rejects the photo and you supply the official rejection notice.
Anfas.Pro is an independent tool and is not affiliated with any government authority. The final decision to accept or reject a document photo rests solely with the issuing authority. Requirements change — always verify on the official authority portal before submitting.