French Passport Photo Requirements 2026: 35x45 mm Size, ANTS E-Photo Rules, and No White Background
French passport photo requirements 2026 from ANTS and Service-Public: exact 35x45 mm size, ANTS e-photo workflow notes, no white background, and the current light grey or blue-grey background rule.
Overview
Searches for French passport photo requirements 2026 are usually trying to verify three things at once: the 35 x 45 mm size, the current ANTS / mairie workflow, and the well-known French exception that white backgrounds are not allowed. France requires a standard photo d’identité for passports, national ID cards (carte nationale d’identité), driving licences, and residence permits, but the background and submission details are strict enough that generic “passport photo” advice often leads people in the wrong direction.
France is one of the few countries that explicitly prohibits a pure white background, which catches many applicants off guard. A blue-grey or light grey background is required instead. Understanding this and other French-specific rules is essential for a smooth application.
The short answer to French passport photo requirements 2026 is this: use 35 x 45 mm, keep the face in the 32-36 mm range, avoid glasses, and use a light grey or blue-grey background instead of white. Then check whether your mairie or ANTS path expects a printed photo or an e-photo code.
That also covers shorter queries like French passport photo, French passport picture size, and format photo ANTS. Those searches usually mean the same thing: the applicant needs the 35 x 45 mm French identity-photo format and wants to avoid the common mistake of using a pure white background or the wrong ANTS submission route.
If the query is just ANTS photo or format photo ANTS, the question is usually practical rather than abstract: do you only need a compliant 35 x 45 mm French identity photo, or do you need that photo delivered through an ANTS-compatible e-photo route with a code? In France, the crop and the submission path have to be understood together.
If you are comparing France with other 35 x 45 mm countries, do not stop at the outer size. The wider passport photo requirements by country guide is useful because France shares the familiar European frame but uses its own background rule, ANTS workflow, and identity-photo checks.
French passport photo requirements 2026 checklist
- Size: exactly 35 x 45 mm.
- Face height: 32-36 mm from chin to crown.
- Background: light grey or blue-grey, never pure white.
- Expression: neutral, mouth closed, face fully visible.
- Glasses: remove them for the French passport and ID route.
- Submission route: confirm whether you need printed photos or an ANTS-compatible e-photo code.
That checklist is the fastest answer to searches for French passport photo requirements 2026. The outer size matters, but the real French rejection risks are the no-white background rule, the ANTS submission path, and whether the final photo matches the exact passport route rather than a generic EU identity-photo assumption.
Official Specifications
| Requirement | Value |
|---|---|
| Document | Passport |
| Size | 35 × 45 mm |
| Background | Light / neutral |
| Head height | 32–36 mm |
| Note | Light blue or light gray; white background is not allowed. |
The photo must be 35 mm wide and 45 mm tall, printed on smooth, non-glossy photo paper. The face height from the bottom of the chin to the top of the skull must be between 32 mm and 36 mm. The photo must be recent, sharp, and properly exposed.
| Specification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Photo size | 35 x 45 mm |
| Face height (chin to crown) | 32–36 mm |
| Background | Light blue-grey or grey (NOT white) |
| Color | Full colour, natural skin tones |
| Paper | Smooth, non-glossy |
| Format (digital e-photo) | JPEG, 35x45mm at 300 dpi |
| Recency | Taken within last 6 months |
Background Requirements
This is where France differs from most countries. The background must be a uniform light colour — but not white. The ANTS guidelines specify a light blue-grey or neutral grey background. Pure white backgrounds are explicitly listed as a rejection reason.
The reasoning is that a white background can cause overexposure and wash out facial features, reducing biometric accuracy. The light grey or blue-grey provides better contrast while maintaining readability for automated systems.
If you want the wider comparison of white, grey, and blue-grey passport backdrops, use the passport photo background color guide. For the French route specifically, the rule is simpler: do not submit a pure white background just because another country accepts it.
The No-White Rule
This is the most common mistake for French passport photos. If you are used to US or UK requirements, remember: France specifically bans white. Passlens applies the correct French-standard blue-grey background automatically when you select the France preset.
- Allowed: Light grey, light blue-grey, neutral light tones
- Not allowed: White, dark colours, patterns, gradients, coloured backgrounds (red, green, etc.)
Clothing and Appearance
French identity photo rules require a neutral, natural expression with the mouth closed. The face must be clearly visible, and the photo must accurately represent your current appearance.
- Glasses: Not permitted in French passport and ID photos since 2020. All eyewear must be removed, including clear-lens glasses.
- Head coverings: Not permitted except for documented religious reasons. The face must be entirely visible from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead.
- Expression: Neutral, relaxed. Mouth closed, no smiling. French guidelines specify “expression neutre”.
- Hair: Must not cover the face, eyes, or eyebrows. Hair should be arranged to reveal the ears if possible.
- Makeup: Subtle makeup is allowed. Heavy or theatrical makeup that alters your appearance is not.
- Piercings and jewelry: Visible facial piercings are allowed if they are part of your everyday appearance. Large earrings that could cast shadows should be avoided.
How to Make It with Passlens
Passlens is configured with the specific French background colour requirement. Create an ANTS-compliant photo d’identité in minutes.
- Open Passlens and select the France Passport preset.
- Take your photo with a neutral expression, or upload an existing portrait.
- Passlens crops to 35 x 45 mm and validates face dimensions (32–36 mm).
- AI background removal applies the correct French blue-grey background — not white.
- Review the compliance check for face centering, expression, and background colour.
- Download as a digital e-photo for online applications, or print a sheet for in-person submission.
Where to Submit
French passport and ID applications are submitted at your local mairie (town hall) or a participating mairie équipée with biometric capture stations. Applications are processed centrally by ANTS.
The practical split is between a printed 35 x 45 mm photo and an ANTS e-photo workflow. The biometric crop and no-white background rule stay the same, but the way the image reaches the application changes. That is why a generic “French passport photo size” answer is not enough on its own.
If you are trying to prepare the digital side properly before the mairie step, keep the digital passport photo requirements guide nearby as well. France still starts from the classic 35 x 45 mm identity-photo standard, but ANTS and mairie workflows can still force you to think about the difference between a clean printed photo and an e-photo-ready submission path.
If your real task is a driving-licence renewal instead of a passport, use the France driving licence photo guide because the ANTS photo-signature path has its own practical steps even though the core identity-photo rules overlap.
- In person (mairie): Bring your printed photos to the appointment. Many mairies now use e-photo systems where you provide a digital code instead.
- E-photo system: Some approved photographers and services (including Passlens) generate a code éphoto that you enter on the ANTS pre-application website, eliminating the need for printed photos.
- Online pre-application: Start your application at ants.gouv.fr before visiting the mairie.
- Consulates abroad: French citizens abroad apply through their local consulate.
| Document | Timeline | Cost (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Passeport (passport) | 2–4 weeks | €86 (adult) |
| CNI (ID card) | 2–4 weeks | Free (first issue and renewal) |
| Passeport en urgence | 2–5 days | €86 + justification required |
Common Mistakes
ANTS automated verification is strict, and the unique French background rule trips up many applicants. Here are the most frequent rejection reasons:
- White background — The single most common mistake. France requires light grey or blue-grey, never white.
- Wearing glasses — No longer allowed since 2020.
- Smiling or mouth open — Must be a neutral expression.
- Face too small or too large — The 32–36 mm face height range is enforced.
- Overexposed photo — Often caused by flash or a white background. Results in washed-out features.
- Photo not recent — Must be taken within the last 6 months.
- Hair covering face — Forehead and eyebrows must be visible.
- Shadows — On face or background, caused by directional lighting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the French passport photo requirements for 2026?
Use a 35 x 45 mm photo with a 32-36 mm face height, a light grey or blue-grey background, no glasses, and a neutral expression. Then confirm whether your mairie or ANTS route needs a normal printed photo or an ANTS e-photo workflow with a code.
Why can’t I use a white background for a French passport photo?
France’s ANTS specifies that white backgrounds cause overexposure and reduce contrast with the face, making biometric scanning less reliable. A light grey or blue-grey background provides optimal contrast for facial recognition systems while maintaining a clean, professional appearance.
What is an e-photo code?
An e-photo is a digital identity photo with a unique code that you enter on the ANTS website when starting your application. Instead of bringing printed photos, you provide this code at the mairie. Approved photographers and some online services can generate e-photo codes.
Do I always need an ANTS e-photo code for a French passport application?
No. Some French passport appointments still work with compliant printed photos, while other mairie and ANTS-linked routes may steer you toward an e-photo code. The safe approach is to check the exact mairie instructions before the appointment, because the biometric photo rule stays stable even when the submission route changes.
Can I use the same 35x45 mm photo for France and another EU country?
Not safely by default. France shares the 35 x 45 mm frame with countries such as Germany, Ireland, and the UK, but its background rule is stricter because pure white is not allowed. The outer size may match while the actual submission rule still differs.
Is the same photo used for passport and carte d’identité?
Yes, both documents use the same 35 x 45 mm photo specification. You can use the same photo for both, but each application requires its own separate photo submission (you cannot reuse a previously submitted photo).
Can I use a photo from a French photomaton (photo booth)?
Yes, approved photomatons (marked with the ANTS-approved logo) produce compliant photos and can generate e-photo codes directly. However, not all photo booths are approved — look for the official certification sticker.