Photo requirements guide
Estonia residence permit card photo requirements
A guide to the photo size and conditions you need for the application.
Checked: 2026-08-30
Photo requirements at a glance
- The official regulation requires a digital colour photo of at least 1300 x 1600 pixels ("vähemalt 1300 pikslit lai ja 1600 pikslit kõrge" — a minimum only; no upper pixel limit is stated).
- The file must be in .jpg / .jpeg format between 1 MB to 5 MB, as required by the regulation.
- The official PPA page requires the photo to be unedited; scanned photographs and screenshots of a screen are not allowed. The background should be light and of a single colour without extraneous objects or patterns (no specific colour is named).
- A photo taken by yourself must not be older than 6 months at the time of applying (regulation § 2(4), matching the PPA page).
- Regulation § 5(2) requires the head and shoulders to be visible, with the face (bottom of the jaw to the lower forehead, right ear to left ear) clearly visible with minimal shadows (the PPA page adds a front view, looking at the camera, a neutral expression, eyes open and mouth closed). No numeric face geometry (mm or occupancy) is stated.
- The tool output follows the official minimum (1300×1600 px) and guarantees only the 5 MB cap. The 1 MB lower bound required by the official rule is not guaranteed for the generated file; if the output is smaller than 1 MB, verify the requirement on the application side yourself.
Face photo requirements
The Estonia residence permit card (elamisloakaart) application requires a document photo in digital format. The numbers are set by the national regulation (Riigi Teataja, Minister of the Interior regulation no. 62, current version in force since 29.04.2019), and the PPA (Police and Border Guard Board) instructions page states the same values (at least 1300×1600 px, 1–5 MB).
The photo file is submitted by the applicant through the official channels: the PPA self-service portal, e-mail (ppa@politsei.ee), or a photo booth at a service office (this tool prepares the file only and does not submit it). The Estonia Schengen visa (35×45 mm print) and the long-term (D) visa ("one colour photograph" with no numeric specification) are separate routes with separate photo values.
What to check before you submit
The phrase “passport-size” alone does not set a fixed value such as 35×45 mm. In the Tool, enter the dimensions shown by the current application guidance.
From creation to submission
- Keep the application guidance available and enter the output type and dimensions you have confirmed.
- No face guide is shown for values the official guidance does not specify.
- After editing and review, confirm the accepted format and conditions in the application portal before submitting.
Create your photo in the browser
Prepare the photo for Estonia Residence Permit Card Photo directly in your smartphone or computer browser. Creating and reviewing are free.
Open the web toolWhat this tool creates
- the required face photo (for digital upload)
Official information
The photo conditions on this page are based on the official guidance.
Check the latest official portal guidance before applying.
Frequently asked questions
Is the photo automatically converted to 35×45 mm?
No. The tool does not substitute 35×45 mm or any other value when the official requirement is unspecified.
What if the application portal shows updated conditions?
Check the current application screen or official guidance and enter those conditions in the Tool.
Official sources
- Riigi Teataja - Isikut tõendava dokumendi väljaandmise taotlemisel fotole esitatavad nõuded (määrus nr 62, kehtiv redaktsioon) Checked: 2026-08-30
- Politsei- ja Piirivalveamet (politsei.ee) - Requirement and instructions for the document photo Checked: 2026-08-30
- Politsei- ja Piirivalveamet (politsei.ee) - Residence permit card for an adult: applying through the self-service portal Checked: 2026-08-30