Where to get a passport photo in Ireland?

The Irish passport is the 14th most prized passport globally that opens a visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry to  187 nations. Ireland’s passport book and passport card includes a biometric passport photo that must meet the requirements of ICAO, as well as Ireland’s passport office standards.  

This is the reason why often you pay a higher price for passport photo than for a regular photo. The service of passport photos is knowing what can and cannot be accepted in a passport photo. We have combined places in Ireland that provide passport photo service.

Passport photo providers in Ireland

  • Online Tools Ireland’s Passport Office accepts a digital photo this is why it’s best to take the photo yourself and use a quick verification tool that will send you a verified photo in right size with the correct background. Smartphone iD is among the competitive price wise (only 3.99€).
  • Photo Booths: This option will be one of the cheapest (average photo booth costs 8€). There are 29 photo booths in Dublin.
  • Pharmacy: Multiple Pharmacy shops offer passport photos, for example, Hickey’s Pharmacy or Lloyds Pharmacy. In total there are 150 pharmacies throughout Ireland. It will cost you on average 10€.
  • Photo studios: When it comes to photographs, you can’t miss studios. Right? So, we recommend visiting any nearby photo studio and clicking for your passport photo. Price starts at 12€ for a hard or soft copy with digital code for passport renewal (Fujifilm Photo Shops, baby photo is for 15€).
  • Ask your friend: It is possible to try and take a photo without any professional help. However, the most common reason for refused photos is unfit photo. If you do not wish to repeat the application procedure and wait, pre-validation by experts (e.g. Smartphone iD app) is recommended.

Can I take my passport photo at home?

It’s best to have photo taken of you by a family or friend. You can use Smartphone iD app to receive the photo in good format, with the right background color and checked that is in line with the standards of Ireland’s Passport Office as well as the International Civil Aviation Organization (machine readable biometric photo standards worldwide).

How to take a passport photo by yourself?

  • Align your face at the center. Make sure your face occupies at least 70% of the photo.
  • Keep your eyes open and mouth closed during the process.
  • Make sure there is proper lighting around you. It’s best to take the photo in natural daylight and stand at least 1 meter from the wall.
  • Avoid shadow falling on one side of face, neck or behind you.
  • Also, ensure no one else is standing inside the photo frame.
  • It’s suggested to wear clothes that don’t match the background for better result.
  • Make sure the background behind you is plain and light. Avoid keeping a patterned background while taking your photo.
  • Don’t take a selfie. Always ask someone else to click your photo because front camera changes the face proportion as well as the photo quality is lower.

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