Quick spec
| Size | 35 × 45 mm |
| Head height | 32–36 mm, chin to top of head |
| Background | White, off-white, or light grey |
| Age of photo | Taken within the last 6 months |
Irish passport demand has surged since Brexit, with applications from Northern Ireland residents and British citizens of Irish descent pushing the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to process over 900,000 applications in a single recent year — a large number for a country of just over 5 million people. That volume is part of why Ireland leans so heavily on Passport Online, its digital application system, over paper forms.
A size range, not one fixed size
Most countries specify one exact photo size. Ireland specifies a range: 35 × 45 mm is the standard and the minimum accepted, but printed photos up to 38 × 50 mm are also fine. For Passport Online, the digital file needs to be at least 715 × 951 pixels, in JPEG format, under 9 MB, and not scanned, compressed, or digitally enhanced in any way.
Background: more flexible than most
White, off-white, or light grey are all accepted — Ireland doesn't insist on a single exact background tone the way some countries do. The practical standard is still a plain, unpatterned, evenly lit background with no shadow, whichever of the accepted light tones you use.
Glasses are still allowed
Unlike a growing number of countries that have banned glasses from biometric passport photos entirely, Ireland still permits them — provided the frames don't cover any part of the eyes and there's no glare or shadow across the lenses. Sunglasses and tinted lenses are not accepted, and if your glasses tend to catch glare under normal lighting, removing them is still the safer choice.
Head size and expression
The face should occupy 70–80% of the frame, measured from the bottom of the chin to the crown of the head — roughly a 32–36 mm head height within the 35 × 45 mm frame. Expression must be neutral with the mouth closed, both eyes open and clearly visible, and no digital filters or retouching of any kind.
Align to the 35 × 45 mm frame and 32–36 mm head-height guide for Passport Online or a printed application.
Open the photo toolPassport Online vs. Passport Express
Passport Online, the digital-first system, only needs a single photo upload and runs automated checks against the DFA's standards before you submit. Passport Express — the postal route through An Post — needs four identical printed photos, two of which must be signed on the back by a witness who has known you for at least a set period, a step Passport Online applicants skip entirely.
Photos for infants and young children
For a child too young to sit or stand on their own, DFA guidance allows the photo to be taken with the child lying down on a plain white surface. No hands, arms, or other people should be visible in the frame, and soothers or pacifiers need to be removed since they can obscure facial features.
Frequently asked questions
What size is an Irish passport photo?
35 × 45 mm is the standard, but Ireland accepts a size range up to 38 × 50 mm for printed photos — unlike most countries, which specify one exact size. Digital photos for Passport Online need a minimum of 715 × 951 pixels.
Can you wear glasses in an Irish passport photo?
Yes — Ireland is one of the few remaining countries that still allows glasses, as long as the frames don't cover any part of the eyes and there's no glare or shadow on the lenses. Sunglasses and tinted lenses are not accepted.
How many photos do I need for a paper application?
Passport Express (postal) applications need four identical photos, two of which must be signed on the back by your witness. In-person applications typically need two. Passport Online only needs a single digital upload.
Requirements are set by the Department of Foreign Affairs and can change — this page is a practical summary rather than an official source. Confirm current detail at ireland.ie before you apply.