Malta Passport Photo

Malta Passport Photo -- Identity Malta Agency Requirements

Malta's passport program is administered by Identity Malta (Identita Malta), a government agency under the Ministry for Home Affairs and Security. Despite being one of Europe's smallest countries with a population of roughly 520,000, Identity Malta processes a high volume of passport applications relative to its size -- driven by Malta's dual nationality provisions and the Individual Investor Programme that has granted citizenship to several thousand foreign nationals since 2014. As an EU member state, Malta's biometric passport adheres to European Council Regulation 2252/2004, meaning the photo specifications align with EU-wide biometric standards while also reflecting a few Malta-specific enforcement patterns.

Applications are filed at the Identity Malta Passport Office in Valletta (Triq il-Punent) or through the regional offices in Gozo (Victoria) and at select local councils. The same photo standards apply to the Maltese passport, the Maltese emergency travel document, and the residence permit photo for third-country nationals. Complete requirements are published at identitymalta.com.

Technical Photo Specifications

Dimensions and format:

• 35 x 45 mm (413 x 531 pixels at 300 DPI)
• Head height from chin to crown: 32-36 mm
• Printed on photographic-quality paper -- inkjet prints on plain paper are not accepted
• Color photograph, recent (taken within the last 6 months)

Background:

• Plain white -- Identity Malta specifies white rather than the "light-colored" range some EU states accept
• No shadows on the background or on the subject's face
• Completely uniform -- no gradient, no wall texture visible, no furniture or other objects

Expression and position:

• Neutral expression, mouth closed, no visible teeth
• Both eyes open and clearly visible
• Face positioned squarely to the camera with the nose centered on the vertical midline
• Ears should be visible where hair length permits, though Identity Malta does not enforce ear visibility as strictly as some EU countries

Malta-Specific Photo Policies

Glasses: Identity Malta permits prescription glasses in passport photos, but the rules are strict enough that their own guidance recommends removing them. Lenses must be completely transparent -- no tinting, no photochromic transition, no colored coatings. Frames must be thin enough that they do not cover any portion of the iris. Any glare or reflection on the lens surface causes immediate rejection. Since 2020, the proportion of applicants choosing to photograph without glasses has risen substantially.

Head coverings and religious dress: Head coverings are permitted for religious reasons only. The applicant must provide a signed personal declaration at the time of application. Nuns' habits, Muslim headscarves, Sikh turbans, and Jewish yarmulkes are all accepted. The covering must not cast any shadow on the face, and the full face from forehead hairline to chin must remain completely exposed.

Infants on parent's lap: Unlike some countries that absolutely prohibit any other person in the frame, Identity Malta allows a parent's hand to be visible supporting an infant's head -- but only if the hand is covered with a white cloth that blends with the background. This is a practical accommodation given that Malta's regional offices process infant passports in high volume.

Skin blemishes and temporary marks: Identity Malta does not require applicants to cover or digitally remove birthmarks, scars, or other permanent facial features. These are considered part of the biometric identity. Temporary marks (bandages, stitches, sunburn peeling) should heal before the photo is taken, as they may cause facial recognition mismatches at e-gates.

e-Gate Compatibility at Malta International Airport

Maltese ePassports issued since 2008 contain a chip storing the holder's facial biometric template. At Malta International Airport (MLA), Automated Border Control (ABC) e-gates compare a live camera capture against the stored chip data. A passport photo that fails to meet ICAO biometric standards can cause e-gate mismatches, forcing the traveller into manual immigration processing.

To ensure smooth e-gate passage: maintain a strictly neutral expression in the photo (even a faint smile alters the geometry the system reads), keep hair away from the face, and avoid any accessories that change the facial outline. Identity Malta has reported an increase in e-gate failures linked to retouched or filtered passport photos, particularly those taken with smartphone beauty mode enabled.

Digital Photo Submission for Online Renewal

Eligible Maltese citizens can renew their passport online through Identity Malta's digital services. The digital photo file must meet:

• JPEG format, minimum 600 x 800 pixels
• Maximum file size: 3 MB
• Natively digital -- no scans of printed photos
• No filters, beauty modes, or AI enhancements
• The automated validation checks background uniformity, head centering, eye visibility, and image sharpness before the upload is accepted

Where to Get Passport Photos in Malta

Photo studios across the islands: Malta's compact size means you are never far from a passport photo studio. In Valletta, studios along Republic Street and Merchants Street -- within walking distance of the Identity Malta office -- charge 5-8 EUR for a set of passport photos. In Sliema, St Julian's, and Birkirkara, expect similar pricing at studios and camera shops. On Gozo, studios in Victoria (Rabat) near the Victoria Passport Office charge 5-7 EUR.

Pharmacies and photo counters: Several pharmacies across Malta offer passport photo services using automated photo stations. These typically cost 5-6 EUR and produce compliant prints within minutes. The machines include face-positioning guides and automatic background correction.

Supermarket and mall photo kiosks: Photo kiosks at The Point Shopping Mall in Sliema, Bay Street in St Julian's, and selected PAVI supermarkets offer self-service passport photos for 3-5 EUR. These booths work well for adults but are less suitable for infants and young children, as the seated booth format does not accommodate laying a baby flat.

DIY printing: If you have a compliant digital photo, you can print it at any photo printing shop or through an online print service with local pickup. A single 10x15 cm print costs roughly 0.30-0.50 EUR and can be cut to yield two 35x45 mm photos.

Baby and Child Photo Requirements

Malta issues passports to children from birth, and Identity Malta takes a pragmatic approach to infant photography:

• Babies may be laid on a white sheet and photographed from above. Alternatively, a parent may hold the child upright while hiding their own body behind the child, provided only the child is visible in the final photo.
• A parent's hand may support the infant's head if covered with a white cloth that blends with the background.
• For infants under 12 months, Identity Malta does not require both eyes to be open. A sleeping baby's photo is accepted.
• Children aged 1-4 must have both eyes open. A neutral expression is expected but not rigidly enforced -- Identity Malta understands that toddlers rarely cooperate with photographers.
• From age 5 onward, the full adult specification applies.
• Maltese child passports under age 4 are valid for only 2 years, and passports for children aged 4-15 are valid for 5 years. This means children need new photos more frequently than adults.

Common Rejection Reasons at Identity Malta

The Valletta and Gozo offices return photos for these issues most frequently:

1. Glasses glare -- reflections from studio lighting on lens surfaces are the most common rejection trigger. Removing glasses before the photo eliminates this risk entirely.
2. Shadow behind the head -- applicants standing too close to the background wall produce a dark shadow outline that the biometric scanner flags.
3. Head size out of specification -- the 32-36 mm window is precise. Photos where the head is too small (taken from too far) or too large (too close) are returned.
4. White clothing blending with background -- wearing a white shirt against a white background makes the shoulder area indistinguishable, which can cause cropping issues. Wear dark or colored clothing.
5. Smile or visible teeth -- any expression beyond strictly neutral is flagged.
6. Photo printed on regular paper -- home inkjet prints on standard A4 paper are always rejected. The photo must be on actual photographic paper.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the Malta passport photo the same size as other EU passport photos? A: Yes. Malta follows the EU standard of 35x45 mm, which is shared by most EU and Schengen countries. If you already have a compliant EU passport photo from another member state, it will meet Malta's dimensional requirements, though the photo must still be recent (within 6 months).

Q: Can I apply for my Maltese passport in Gozo? A: Yes. Identity Malta operates a passport office in Victoria (Rabat), Gozo. The photo requirements and application process are identical to the Valletta office.

Q: Do I need to bring printed photos, or can I submit a digital file? A: Identity Malta requires printed photos for in-person applications. Digital submission is available only through the online renewal channel for eligible applicants.

Q: My baby fell asleep before the photo -- is a sleeping baby's photo acceptable? A: For infants under 12 months, Identity Malta accepts photos of sleeping babies. The baby's face must still be fully visible, centered, and against a white background.

Q: How much does a Maltese passport cost, and how long does it take? A: Standard adult passport processing costs approximately 70 EUR and takes 10-15 working days. Express service is available for an additional fee. Photo rejections extend the timeline because you must resubmit corrected photos before processing resumes.

Q: Should I wear dark clothing for the photo? A: It is strongly recommended. White or very light clothing blends with the white background and can cause processing issues. A dark shirt or jacket provides clear contrast.

Q: Can I use a selfie for my Maltese passport application? A: For in-person applications, Identity Malta requires studio-quality printed photos. For online renewal, a self-timer photo taken with the rear camera is acceptable if it meets all digital specifications. Front-facing camera selfies produce perspective distortion and are likely to be rejected by the automated validation system.

Q: Does Malta accept photos taken in another EU country? A: If the photo meets Malta's specific requirements (35x45 mm, white background, correct head proportions) and was taken within the last 6 months, it is accepted regardless of where it was taken. The technical standard is shared across most EU countries.