France Passport Photo Maker
A French passport photo must be exactly 35 × 45 mm with a plain light grey or light blue background. The one rule that trips people up: a white background is explicitly forbidden under French law, so a standard ICAO white photo will be rejected at the mairie.
Drag & drop a file here, or click to choose
Official ANTS requirements
Passport photos in France are governed by the Agence Nationale des Titres Sécurisés (ANTS) and the arrêté du 5 février 2009. The print size is a 35 × 45 mm photo d'identité with the face measured 32 to 36 mm from chin to crown and centered in the frame.
Unlike almost every other country, France bans a pure white background — you must use a plain light grey (gris clair) or light blue (bleu clair) backdrop. Glasses have been prohibited since 2016, the expression must be neutral with the mouth closed, and the photo must be no older than six months. Most applicants use a Photomaton or an ANTS-approved photographer, and the mairie biometric station re-checks the image automatically.
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Photo size | 35 × 45 mm (photo d'identité) |
| Digital size (300 DPI) | 413 × 531 px |
| Background | Plain light grey or light blue — white is forbidden |
| Head height | 32-36 mm from chin to crown |
| Recency | Taken within the last 6 months |
| Glasses | Not allowed (banned since 2016) |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open |
Getting the digital size right
If you upload a photo through the ANTS pre-request flow using the e-Photo (ePhoto ANTS) code from an approved kiosk, the file is validated for you. For a self-printed 35 × 45 mm photo, work at 413 × 531 pixels at 300 DPI so the print stays sharp and the head sits at the right proportion.
Our tool crops to the exact French ratio and lets you set the correct light background right in the browser. Your image is processed entirely on your device and is never sent to a server — a real advantage for a sensitive identity document.
How to use France Passport Photo
- 1Drop a well-lit, front-facing photo into the box above (JPG, PNG or WebP).
- 2The official France size (35 × 45 mm → 413 × 531px at 300 DPI) is pre-loaded — your photo is scaled and center-cropped, never stretched.
- 3Check the result against the official requirements table below, then download.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a white background for a French passport photo?
No. French regulations require a plain light grey or light blue background, and white backgrounds are rejected. This is one of the most common reasons a French photo d'identité fails.
What is the ePhoto ANTS code?
It is a digital voucher issued by approved photographers and photo booths that lets you attach your photo and signature to your online ANTS application. If you print your own photo instead, bring the physical 35 × 45 mm print to your mairie appointment.
Are glasses allowed in a French passport photo?
No. Glasses have not been permitted in French passport or ID photos since 2016. Remove them entirely, even if they are clear prescription lenses.