Visa Photo — Austria Requirements

Photo Dimensions

Size: 35 × 45 mm

Tips for Getting the Right Size

• Use idpic.app to automatically crop and resize your photo to the exact required dimensions — no manual calculation needed.
• Keep your face centred in the frame with your head fully visible from crown to chin.
• When printing, ensure you print at 100% scale (not "fit to page") to preserve the correct dimensions.
• Your face should fill the correct proportion of the photo. idpic.app shows a face guide overlay to help you position correctly.

Background Specification

Plain white or light grey background required. The background must be a single, uniform, light colour — either white or a neutral light grey. No patterns, gradients, or shadows.

How to Get the Right Background

• Stand at least 50 cm from the wall to prevent shadows falling on the background.
• Use even, diffuse lighting — a window or softbox pointed at the background helps.
• A plain white or light-coloured wall, a white sheet, or a dedicated photo backdrop all work well.
• Use idpic.app to automatically replace your background with the correct colour — no manual editing required.

Glasses requirements

Prescription glasses may be allowed for this photo, but tinted lenses and sunglasses are not permitted. There must be no glare or reflections on the lenses, and your eyes must be clearly visible.

Tips for Taking Your Photo

• Angle the light source slightly to avoid glare on the lenses.
• Do not wear sunglasses, photochromic (transition), or any tinted lenses.
• Clean the lenses before taking the photo to prevent smudges or reflections.

Common Rejection Reasons

• Wrong background. Austria Visa photos require a plain Plain light background with no shadows, patterns, or objects. Retake the photo against a flat, evenly lit backdrop.
• Tinted lenses. Sunglasses, photochromic, or any tinted or dark lenses are not permitted in Austria Visa photos. Only clear prescription lenses are accepted.
• Face obscured by head covering. Religious head coverings are allowed, but your full face — from chin to forehead — must remain visible with no shadow cast on it.
• Face size out of range. Your face must fill between 66% and 80% of the photo height. Move closer to or further from the camera and recrop.
• Photo too old. Austria Visa photos must be taken within the last 6 months. Take a new photo if yours is older.
• Low resolution or blurry. Your photo must be sharp and at least 300 pixels on its shortest side. Use good lighting and hold the camera steady.
• Shadows. Shadows across your face or on the background — often from overhead lighting or a nearby wall — are a common rejection reason. Use soft, even lighting from the front.
• Wrong expression. Smiling, frowning, closed eyes, or an open mouth can cause rejection. Keep a neutral expression with your mouth closed and both eyes open, looking directly at the camera.
• Wrong paper or printing. Home-printed photos on regular paper, or prints with a glossy coating that catches light, are often rejected. Print on quality matte photo paper at full size and 100% scale.

About photo requirements

When applying for an Austrian passport, applicants must adhere to the strict biometric standards enforced by the MA 62 or the relevant District Authority. These regulations ensure that all identification documents meet the high security and facial recognition criteria required for international travel. Ensuring your Austrian passport photo is compliant is the most important step in avoiding unnecessary delays during your application process.

The official standard requires a photo measuring exactly 35mm by 45mm, with the head positioned in the centre. You must have a neutral expression with your mouth closed and eyes clearly visible, looking directly at the camera. A plain, light grey background is mandatory, and shadows on the face or background are strictly prohibited. Glasses are generally discouraged due to glare, and head coverings are only permitted for documented religious reasons.

While most passport applications in Austria require physical prints submitted at local authorities, digital images are increasingly relevant for online pre-registration and specific citizen portals. When digital files are requested, they must meet high-resolution standards, typically in JPEG format, ensuring the file size remains within the specified limits. You can easily prepare a compliant image using idpic.app to ensure the dimensions and lighting meet the biometric requirements before you visit the office.

Common issues

A frequent cause for rejection in Austria is the presence of shadows behind the head or on the face, which often occurs due to poor home lighting. Applicants are also frequently rejected for having an incorrect head-to-frame ratio or tilting their heads away from the centre. Additionally, wearing light-coloured clothing against the grey background can lead to a failure in contrast, so it is best to wear a darker, solid-coloured shirt.

Local tips

You can obtain professional passport photos at most local photo studios or via dedicated photo booths found in major train stations and shopping centres, which usually cost between 10 and 20 Euro. If you choose to take your own photo, ensure you use a steady tripod and natural lighting from a window to avoid harsh artificial flash. Always double-check your print quality, as the authorities require high-resolution, matte-finish paper for all official identity documents.