Estonian Passport Photo Tool

The passport is one of the most important documents used worldwide as an identity and travel document. If you have to apply for an Estonian passport for yourself or maybe for your children, read this guideline and find out more.

Today, you will find out how to take a photo for your Estonian passport, what the passport photo size is supposed to be, as well as about all the general requirements regarding passport photos, passport application, and passport fees.

Estonian passport photo specification

As an Estonian citizen, you have to meet some requirements if you want to get an Estonian passport. 

The same applies to the photographs - you have to know the dimensions, rules and specifications for the Estonian passport photos to take the right picture. Even when you decide to take a photo at a photography studio, you should know how to prepare for it. 

Furthermore, read this guide and you might change your mind and try to take photos by yourself with our photo tool!

Estonian passport photo size

The dimensions of an Estonian passport photo are 40 mm x 50 mm and a minimum of 1300 x 1600 pixels (1MB min and 5MB max) in JPEG format where the person’s face covers 70-80% of the height of the photo.

Other specifications regarding an Estonian passport photo:

• it must be in colour
• it’s a frontal portrait view
• it’s taken against a light, advisably grey background
• no older than six months
• it’s sharp and in focus
• the photographed person has to have a neutral expression
• if glasses are worn, they may not reflect light 
• you’re allowed to wear headwear only for dictated religious reasons (if there is a head covering for religious reasons, a written opinion from the Ministry of the Interior must be submitted)
• the headwear may not cast shadows on the person’s face
• you cannot wear headphones or any other similar accessories (except for a medical device, which must be supported by a medical note), both ears must be visible

Estonian passport photo rules for children and babies

If you need to apply for your baby’s or child’s Estonian passport, it is good to know the requirements regarding photos for children passports. Mostly, the same rules concern adults and children with the difference that if you take photos for your babies you must pay even more attention. 

Here is a simple guide on how to take the right photo for your babies’ and young children’s passport:

• The child should have as much of a neutral facial expression as possible and look straight at the camera.
• The little model has to be alone in the picture, parents can’t hold them, none of someone else's body parts or any items like arms, chairs, toys, dummies can be visible. They’re not allowed in the picture.
• If the child cannot support himself, the picture should be taken from above as they are lying down.

Estonian passport photo tool

If you’re considering taking a photo for your passport at home, you should use a photo maker available on the Passport Photo Online site, which lets you do everything online without leaving your house!

Just follow the above rules to take the right photograph for your Estonian passport. Then, use your phone to take a picture and upload it. Our photo editor service will resize, crop, edit and even verify the photo regarding the official requirements. You have a warranty that the picture for your Estonian passport will have the acceptance of an Estonian institution.

When your photo is ready, you still don’t have to leave your house! Just order a digital version which will be sent to your email address so that you can print it by yourself or we will print it for you and deliver it to your place!

The most common mistakes in Estonian passport photos

By following the above rules you’ll probably know how to help yourself with our service but you might still make some mistakes. This is why you can have a look at the most common ones to not repeat any of them. Taking photos for a document might not be a piece of cake - we know this! This is why it is important to make sure you meet all the requirements and not repeat the disqualifying mistakes while taking photos for your Estonian passport.

Incorrect size 

Usually, the government sets forth the rules about specific dimensions of photo size for documents. For Estonia, it is 40 mm x 50 mm so be sure you measure your photo to this size. However, if you still have a problem with the size, you don’t have to worry about it at all! Just use our resize service, which crops and resizes your photo to meet the official requirements. You have a 100% guarantee that it is going to be the correct one and accepted by an Estonian institution!

Smiling 

You have to keep a neutral facial expression in an Estonian passport photo. So please do not smile, don’t show your teeth or grimaces, just keep your eyes open.

Taking a selfie 

The most popular way of taking photos? Selfies! However, it is not popular and appreciated as a document photo such as a passport. This occasion just does not suit the selfie as it is your identity document for years. It might be your showcase, so try to look the best you can in it. 

Poor quality 

Whatever you use to take photos for documents, they cannot be damaged, overexposed, underexposed or scratched. This concerns both the photo and the photo paper. Try to pay strong attention to the highest possible quality as documents are your showcase.

Using flash

Many people think that photos have to be taken with a flash but it is not true - the passport picture should be natural and express your natural skin tone. A flash can give you red-eye and make you look a little bit unnatural. However, if you are a professional, flash is used in most photographic studios.

Editing 

One of the most frequently asked questions is: Can I use Photoshop to edit my passport photos? The answer is: no, because any ways of interfering in the photo might cause rejection. Retouching and removing wrinkles, tattoos, or scars is forbidden, because it changes your natural features. Use professional services like Passport Photo Online to edit your photo without breaking the official rules set for Estonian passport applications.

Wrong background 

You cannot forget that the background has to be light and of a solid color. If you do not have a white wall anywhere in your house, feel free to hang a sheet on the wall. If you still find some imperfections after the session, you can remove them with our background removing photo editor.

Wrong lighting 

It is recommended to try to take photos in daylight. Natural light will make your skin look better and natural. Avoid shadows appearing on your face, position the camera in a way that allows you to catch the sun coming from the window, but be sure you do not squint your eyes while doing it. Too much bright sun is not that great of an idea either, so just find a balance.

Sources:
https://www.politsei.ee/en/requirement-and-instructions-for-the-document-photo/
https://www.riigiteataja.ee/akt/12737466
https://www.politsei.ee/en/instructions/estonian-passport-for-an-adult/applying-abroad