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In Austria, every passport requires a biometrical photo. Biometry is a technique of recognizing people based on physical attributes, for example of the face, body or fingerprint. Biometric detection is a substitute for conventional methods, such as a PIN code, a password, or a card. The advantage of biometric data is that such physical characteristics are individual to every person. The person has the advantage that he/she does not have to memorise anything, in contrast to a PIN code or password. Because every passport photo has to clearly show these individual traits, every photo has to be made with certain biometrical criteria.

General criteria
High-quality photos are the basis for producing modern passport documents. The face on the photo must be sharp, have a high contrast and be clear. The photo should be printed on high quality, glossy and sleek paper without surface structure with high-pressure resolution. Furthermore, the photo may not have any scratches, stains, stamp marks or kink marks. The colours should be natural and “red eyes” should be avoided. The face must be lit with consistent lighting so that all details are clearly visible. Reflections or shadows on the face are not permitted. The photo must also not be older than 6 month.

Format
The photo should be 35 mm wide and 45 mm high. The head, from the point of the chin to the part, should make up about 2/3 of the image. If someone has an abnormally voluminous hairstyle that doesn’t fully fit in the picture, the top of it may be cut off in the final photo. The distance between the eyes, from the centre of the left eye to the centre of the right eye, must be at least 8 mm, optimal is 10 mm. The head should be centred in the photo. The photo must not distort the head in any way, for example by mirroring.

Background
The background should be monochrome, for example grey, and it must provide sufficient contrast to the face and hair. Middle grey background is suitable for light hair and a light grey background is a good alternative for dark hair. A background pattern may not be used and shadows against the background should not be visible. No other persons or objects are allowed in the picture.

Facial expression
The subject should exhibit a neutral facial expression, uncovered eyes, have natural looking skin and a closed mouth from a front-facing view. A portrait of a subject with a tilted or turned head is not permitted. Head coverings are only permitted for medical or religious reasons. Deviations from this regulation are only permissible as far as the developmental situation of the person or physical conditions does not allow him to do otherwise.

When every biometrical criterion is fulfilled, the passport photo is printed on the passport. To avoid passports from being counterfeited, the photo is printed together with the passport instead of being stuck separately onto the passport. Because of this, the passport photo cannot be replaced. The colour of the image bleeds onto the security paper, resulting in an inseparable bond between the passport and the photo. This procedure corresponds with the current, international requirements for security documents as specified by the relevant authorities.