Czech Passport Photo Requirements — 35 × 45 mm, White to Light Blue
For a Czech official document photo. The Ministry of the Interior publishes a full technical specification: a 35 × 45 mm rectangle, upright, with rounded corners of radius 3 mm (±0.5 mm) and a thickness of 0.13 to 0.27 mm; the background may be white to light blue, or light grey, with a gentle gradient allowed. Photographs must not be retouched in any way. Verified against the Czech Ministry of the Interior photo specification, September 2026.
Official Czech document photo specification
| Print size | 35 × 45 mm, upright (shorter side as the base) |
| Corners | Straight or rounded, radius r = 3 mm ± 0.5 mm |
| Thickness | 0.13 to 0.27 mm |
| Framing | Head and top of shoulders, front view, gaze towards the lens |
| Head margins | At least 2 mm above the head; face (eyes to chin) at least 13 mm |
| Background | White to light blue, or light grey; a gentle gradient is allowed |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open and not covered by hair |
| Retouching | Not permitted (no retouching or other alterations) |
| Glare | No glare that hides or changes identifying features |
| Head-size ratio / dpi | Not published |
The official specification states (translated from Czech):
The photograph is rectangular, 35 mm x 45 mm, placed on its shorter side, with straight or rounded corners of radius r = 3 mm +/- 0.5 mm, of a thickness from 0.13 mm to 0.27 mm.
The background behind the person is white to light blue, or light grey, and a gentle transition between these colours is permitted.
No retouching or other alterations may be made.
The 35 × 45 mm format and the physical spec
Czechia uses the common 35 × 45 mm portrait rectangle, upright. It is one of the few countries to specify the physical properties of the print: rounded corners of radius 3 mm (±0.5 mm) are permitted, and the photo thickness must be between 0.13 mm and 0.27 mm. For the framing, there must be at least 2 mm between the top of the head and the top edge of the photo, and the face from the eyes to the chin must be at least 13 mm. See the size chart for other formats.
Background: white to light blue, or light grey
Czechia is more permissive on background than some of its neighbours: it accepts white to light blue, or light grey, with a gentle gradient allowed between those colours. So unlike Malta (light grey or cream, never white) or Denmark (light blue or light grey, not white), a white background is acceptable here. See the backgrounds guide for setup.
No retouching, no glare
A Czech photo must be without glare that would hide or significantly change the identifying features, and retouching or any other alteration of the negative, the print or the digital image is not permitted. That rules out the "improvements" some editing apps apply. The pose is strict too: a front view with the gaze towards the lens; a look over the shoulder, a turned or tilted head is not permitted. The expression is neutral with the mouth closed, the eyes open and not covered by hair. The general rules are on the expression guide.
A note on scope
This specification is the Ministry of the Interior's published document-photo format (the page carries a third-country-national application heading). The 35 × 45 mm format is the general Czech official document-photo format; if your application is for a specific document, confirm the requirement on that document's own page. Where a consulate or portal tells you a format, follow that specific instruction.
What is still not published
The specification fixes the size, corners, thickness, framing, head margins, background range, expression, no-glare and no-retouching rules — but it does not publish a head-size percentage, a dpi figure or a pixel size. Work from the official numbers above. Confirm a finished crop with the passport photo checker, and see the general digital file requirements for uploads.
60-second Czech check
- ☐ Photo is 35 × 45 mm, upright
- ☐ Rounded corners (if any) radius 3 mm ± 0.5 mm; thickness 0.13–0.27 mm
- ☐ At least 2 mm above the head; face (eyes to chin) at least 13 mm
- ☐ Background white to light blue, or light grey (gentle gradient allowed)
- ☐ Head and top of shoulders, front view, gaze towards the lens
- ☐ Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open and not covered by hair
- ☐ No glare; no retouching or other alterations
Frequently asked questions
What size is a Czech passport photo?
35 × 45 mm, upright. The official specification also gives rounded corners of radius 3 mm ± 0.5 mm and a thickness of 0.13 to 0.27 mm.
What background colour is allowed?
White to light blue, or light grey, with a gentle transition between those colours permitted. Unlike some countries, white is acceptable.
How much space should be above the head?
At least 2 mm between the top of the head and the top edge of the photo. The face from the eyes to the chin must be at least 13 mm.
Can the photo be retouched or edited?
No. Retouching or any other alteration of the negative, print or digital image is not permitted, and there must be no glare hiding or changing the identifying features.
Can I turn my head in the photo?
No. A look over the shoulder, a turned head or a tilted head is not permitted. The photo must be a front view with the gaze towards the lens.
Does this cover all Czech documents?
This is the Ministry of the Interior's published document-photo format. If you are applying for a specific document, confirm the requirement on that document's own page.
Related: Czechia accepts a white background where Malta and Denmark do not; compare formats on the size chart. Lay out prints with the photo print sheet, and read the rejection reasons guide if a photo has been refused.