Liechtenstein Passport Photo: Official Requirements & Size Guide

A Liechtenstein biometric passport photo must meet the strict ICAO facial-image standard enforced by the Ausländer- und Passamt (Office for Foreigners and Passports) — the sole authority issuing Liechtenstein travel documents. The format is aligned with Swiss and Schengen biometric requirements: every detail, from background shade to face proportion, is checked against a precise technical specification.

There is one critical fact that sets Liechtenstein passport applications apart from most countries: applicants do not bring a printed or self-prepared photo to the counter. The Ausländer- und Passamt captures your biometric facial image live and digitally at the office when you apply in person. A downloaded, home-printed, or online-prepared photograph cannot be submitted for the passport itself — the capture is done on-site by the officer. Knowing the exact standard still matters: it tells you precisely what expression, framing, background, and appearance the camera operator will expect, so you can arrive prepared and avoid a wasted trip.

• Print size: 35 × 45 mm (width × height) — 827 × 1063 px at 600 dpi
• Background: plain, uniform light grey, approximately #E6E6E6 — no shadows, gradients, or patterns
• Face height: 71–80% of the frame; chin-to-crown approximately 32–36 mm within the 45 mm frame
• Expression: neutral, mouth fully closed, eyes open and clearly visible
• Glasses: not permitted under current ICAO and EU biometric rules
• Headwear: not permitted except for documented religious or medical reasons; the full face must remain visible
• Recency: must reflect your current appearance — taken within the last 6 months
• Lighting: even and diffuse — no harsh shadows on the face or background

Common reasons passport photos are rejected in Liechtenstein:

• Glasses worn: any spectacles — including frameless or thin-rimmed — cause automatic rejection under the ICAO biometric guidelines applied by the Ausländer- und Passamt
• Incorrect background colour: bright-white, coloured, or patterned backgrounds are non-compliant; the required shade is a specific plain light grey (#E6E6E6), not white
• Face proportion out of range: the face must fill exactly 71–80% of the frame height; cropping the chin or leaving excessive headroom are both rejectable errors
• Non-neutral expression: a slight smile, raised eyebrows, or parted lips will result in rejection — the mouth must be completely closed and the expression relaxed

Because the Ausländer- und Passamt captures your image digitally on-site, you cannot submit a self-made or downloaded photo for the passport application itself. That said, preparing a correctly framed reference image is genuinely useful: it shows you exactly how your face should be positioned and lit, confirms whether your appearance — expression, glasses-free, appropriate headwear — meets the standard before you arrive, and gives you a compliant 35 × 45 mm image ready for other documents, ID cards, or visa applications that do accept submitted photos. Use it to walk into your appointment knowing precisely what to expect.