Spain Passport Photo Requirements: Why 26 × 32 mm Matters

Spanish passport and DNI photos are not the usual EU 35 × 45 mm. The Real Decreto and the Policía Nacional / DNIe portal state 32 × 26 mm — in practice 26 mm wide × 32 mm tall. The wrong millimetres mean a refusal at a comisaría in Madrid or Barcelona, or at a consulate.

Use the Spain Passport Photo Tool to crop your selfie to that ratio with a plain white background and a clear facial oval (brows, eyes, nose, mouth, chin). If you renew your DNI the same day, a separate passport photo may not be required — confirm on the day you apply.

The official print size is 26 × 32 mm (BOE wording: 32 × 26). At 300 dpi that is roughly 307 × 378 pixels. The ratio is closer to square than the Schengen 7:9 rectangle and physically smaller.

Pharmacies and studios often default to 35 × 45 mm. Taking that print to a Spanish passport desk is a classic refusal. If you are a foreigner applying for a Schengen visa to Spain, consulates usually want 35 × 45 mm — do not mix that with a Spanish citizen’s DNI/passport.

Background must be plain, uniform white, with no shadows or patterns. The light-grey Schengen preference is risky for Spanish DNI/passport — the legal text says white.

Front-facing, eyes to camera, head straight. The facial oval — including eyebrows — must not be hidden by hair or accessories. Neutral expression, mouth closed, both eyes open. Colour photo from the last 6 months, high resolution, on quality photo paper.

The law bans dark lenses. Clear prescription glasses are sometimes tolerated if there is no glare and frames do not cut the eyes — removing them is safest. Sunglasses are refused.

Hats, caps or ornaments that block identification are banned. A religious head covering must not hide the face. For babies, no supporting adult’s hand or shoulder in frame; shoot on plain white with no shadows.

Spanish passport and DNI share the same 26 × 32 mm / white-background rule. A compliant print works for both. If you renew the DNI the same day, a separate passport photo may not be needed.

Apply at Policía Nacional desks (citasprevias.policia.es) or at a consulate abroad. You usually need one or two identical prints — not scans or photocopies. Some consulate lists quote a millimetre range — check the local page on the day you apply.

1. 1

   Shoot a sharp front-facing selfie on a plain light wall.

2. 2

   Pick Spain passport (or DNI) in the document selector.

3. 3

   AI applies 26 × 32 mm, white background and face ratio.

4. 4

   Download the print sheet or JPEG.

5. 5

   Have the lab cut matte photo paper — say “Spanish DNI/passport, 26 × 32, white background”.

If you are applying for a Schengen visa separately, pick the visa / 35 × 45 mm document in the selector. Mixing them is a refusal.

1. 1

   Size 26 × 32 mm (not 35 × 45).

2. 2

   Plain white background.

3. 3

   Face front-on, eyebrows visible, neutral expression.

4. 4

   No dark glasses; remove all eyewear if you can.

5. 5

   Last 6 months, colour, sharp print.

6. 6

   Do not mix Schengen visa size with Spanish DNI/passport.

Rules can change — confirm on dnielectronico.es or your consulate page on the day you apply. Locking the size in FotoPass cuts counter surprises.