Digital photo for your SwissPass
Need a new photo for your SwissPass card? Create a clear, passport-style digital portrait with Photo Express on your smartphone, download the finished image and upload it during the SwissPass process provided for you by SBB CFF FFS or another participating public-transport company.
When does the SwissPass need a photo?
A photo is required when a new personal SwissPass card is issued. If you buy a public-transport travelcard online for the first time, identity verification and photo upload are part of the purchase process. You need a valid official identity document and a smartphone with a camera.
SBB also checks the stored photo when a replacement card is issued. According to its current guidance, a new passport photo is requested every five years for people under 25 and every ten years from age 25. SBB will contact you when a new photo is required.
What makes a good SwissPass photo?
Official SBB forms describe a recent, high-resolution passport-style photo with these characteristics:
- a front-facing portrait;
- eyes open and not covered where possible;
- a plain, single-colour background;
- even lighting without shadows;
- sharp focus and good contrast; and
- a portrait format of approximately 35 × 45 mm for printed applications.
For digital upload, follow the exact file instructions shown in your SwissPass account or upload link. Do not use a screenshot of a small image, scan a printed photo or apply beauty filters that change how you look.
Take and prepare the photo on your smartphone
- Clean the camera lens and stand in soft, even light.
- Ask another person to hold the phone at eye level and use the rear camera if possible.
- Look straight ahead, keep your head upright and make sure your face is unobstructed.
- Follow the Photo Express capture guidance and download the finished digital image.
- Return to your SwissPass purchase, identity check or personal account and upload the file there.
Photo Express removes the background, prepares the portrait crop and checks common image-quality issues. The SwissPass issuer makes the final decision on whether the image can be used.
Uploading or replacing the SwissPass photo
For a SwissPass card without a travelcard, SBB currently instructs customers to sign in at swisspass.ch, open “Customer data”, choose “Change” under personal details and then “Confirm identity”. After successful identity verification and photo upload, the card is sent by post.
If SBB has asked you for a replacement photo, use the upload path in the message or your customer account. If the option is unavailable, contact SBB or visit a staffed public-transport point of sale rather than sending the image through an unofficial channel.
SwissPass Mobile is the digital version of the card shown in the SBB Mobile app. It is separate from the portrait photo file used to issue or renew the personal SwissPass card.