You’ve got a pile of forms to fill, a deadline looming, and suddenly you realise your passport photo is years out of date. Finding a quick, affordable passport photo service nearby shouldn’t be another headache — and it doesn’t have to be. This guide cuts through the options across Ireland and the UK, comparing high-street booths, pharmacy counters, and supermarket kiosks so you know exactly where to go and what to pay.

Photo-Me booths in Ireland: 250+ ·
Average cost at Photo-Me Dublin: €6 ·
Typical processing time: 5 minutes ·
Appointment needed at most booths: No

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact pricing at Tesco and ASDA passport photo services
  • Whether all Boots stores have a photo booth
  • Acceptance rates of booth photos vs professional studios
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Online passport applications continue to grow, making digital photo services more important
  • More supermarkets may add or remove photo kiosks based on demand
Key facts at a glance
Label Value
Ireland average cost €6-€10
UK average cost £6-£12
Time to get photo 5-15 minutes
Number of Photo-Me booths in Ireland 250+
Can you bring your own photo? Yes, if it meets official specs – but in-store is recommended
Irish paper photo size range 35×45 mm to 38×50 mm (ePassportPhoto (passport photo service))
Irish digital photo max file size 9 MB JPEG (ePassportPhoto (passport photo service))
Digital photo minimum resolution 715×951 pixels (ePassportPhoto (passport photo service))

Where is the best place to get your passport photo taken?

Photo booths dominate on speed and price, while studios win on quality and guidance — the right choice depends on your application type and budget.

What factors make a passport photo service the best?

  • Speed: most booths process in 5 minutes (Photo-Me Ireland (booth operator))
  • Cost: booth prices start at €6 in Ireland
  • Convenience: no appointment needed at Photo-Me booths (Photo-Me Ireland (booth operator))
  • Acceptance: DFA approval for Irish applications (Photo-Me Ireland (booth operator))

How do pharmacy, booth, and studio options compare?

Five providers, one pattern: convenience and cost are inversely related. Booths win on price and speed; studios win on quality and guidance.

Here is how the main providers stack up on price, time, and convenience.

Provider Price range Time Appointment needed? Best for
Photo-Me booth €6-€10 5 min No Budget and speed
Boots pharmacy ~£9.99 UK 10-15 min Check store Print + digital in one place
Tesco (Max Spielmann) Varies 10-15 min No While you shop
Professional studio ~€19+ Ireland 15-30 min Yes Perfect quality, expert guidance
Local pharmacy (e.g. Kelly’s Galway) Varies 5-10 min No Neighbourhood convenience
Bottom line: A photo booth is what it actually is — fast, cheap, and good enough for official use. Budget travellers and quick renewers: head to a booth. First-time applicants or anyone with complex requirements: pay the premium for a studio.

The implication: most people overpay for guidance they don’t need. If you know the rules, a €6 booth shot works just as well as a €19 studio one.

Are online passport photo services reliable?

Online services like ePassportPhoto (passport photo service) and PhotoAiD (passport photo guide) let you upload a self-taken photo and get a compliant digital file. For online Irish applications, they work well — digital photos must be JPEG, max 9 MB, and at least 715×951 pixels (ePassportPhoto (passport photo service)). For paper applications, you still need four physical prints stamped by a witness (ePassportPhoto (passport photo service)).

The catch: online tools are only as good as your camera and lighting. Blurry or shadowed photos get rejected — and then you’ve wasted time.

Can I get a passport photo at Tesco?

Do all Tesco stores have passport photo services?

No. Tesco passport photo services are offered in partnership with Max Spielmann (photo service provider) in select locations only, not all stores. Check your local Tesco’s in-store services before visiting.

How much does a Tesco passport photo cost?

Pricing is competitive but not always published online. Budget-conscious shoppers can expect mid-range costs — less than a dedicated studio but sometimes more than a Photo-Me booth. Exact prices vary by location and partnership agreement.

Are Tesco passport photos accepted by the passport office?

Tesco claims its photos meet official size and quality standards. For Irish applications, photos must fall between 35×45 mm and 38×50 mm for paper applications (ePassportPhoto (passport photo service)). It’s worth verifying with the store that their print size matches your specific application type.

The trade-off

Convenience of grabbing photos during a supermarket run comes with inconsistency: not all stores offer the service, and pricing isn’t standardised. For the price-conscious shopper, the gamble is time lost if the kiosk is unavailable.

The pattern: Tesco’s photo service works well for shoppers who already know their local store carries one, but it’s not a reliable option for everyone.

Where to get an Ireland passport photo taken?

What are the best options in Dublin?

Dublin has strong coverage from Photo-Me Ireland (booth operator) booths. A Yelp reviewer praised one Dublin booth: “Great looking passport photos in 5 minutes for just €6. Can’t argue with that!”

Are there Photo-Me booths in Cork and Waterford?

Yes. Photo-Me has booths in Dublin, Cork, Waterford, Killarney, and Mallow, according to their official location finder (booth locator).

Do pharmacies like Kelly’s in Galway offer passport photos?

Yes. Kelly’s Pharmacy in Galway provides photo services via a kiosk, as they state: “Kelly’s Pharmacy in Galway provides pharmacy photo services, such as passport photos for online passport applications via our photo kiosk.”

In Limerick, Print Point offers studio-quality passport photos near the Tipperary roundabout — a good mid-point between booth prices and professional quality.

What this means: Ireland’s coverage is solid outside Dublin too, with booth and pharmacy options in most cities and towns.

What should you not wear for a passport photo?

Are hats and headwear allowed?

  • Hats are not allowed unless worn for religious or medical reasons
  • Headwear must not obscure any part of the face
  • Hair should not cover the ears (Smartphone-ID (Ireland pricing guide))

Can I wear glasses in my passport photo?

Glasses must be removed in most official passport photos (US, UK, Ireland). The Irish guidance specifies no red-eye and no objects in frame — glasses can cause glare and reflection issues.

What clothing is acceptable?

  • Avoid white or very light clothing that blends with the background
  • A plain, high-contrast outfit is best
  • Neutral expression with mouth closed required (Smartphone-ID (Ireland pricing guide))
Why this matters

A rejected photo means re-taking, re-paying, and delaying your application. Following the dress code the first time saves both time and money — especially for online renewals where mistakes are caught by automated checks.

The catch: failing on dress code is the most common reason for photo rejection, and it is entirely avoidable.

Where is the cheapest place to get a passport photo?

What are the price ranges at different providers?

Three price tiers, one takeaway: booths dominate the low end.

Here is how the main options compare on price across Ireland and the UK.

Provider type Lowest price Highest price
Photo-Me booth (Ireland) €6 (Photo-Me Ireland (booth operator)) ~€10 (Smartphone-ID (Ireland pricing guide))
Boots (UK) ~£9.99 ~£12
Professional studio (Ireland) ~€19 (Smartphone-ID (Ireland pricing guide)) €30+
Online services Free to ~€10 Varies
The upshot

The cheapest option — a €6 booth — is also the fastest. But if you’re applying from the UK and need a printed photo with a witness stamp, the few pounds saved may not be worth the risk of a rejected application.

Do cheaper options compromise quality or acceptance?

Photo-Me markets its booths as DFA-approved (Irish government compliance), meaning they meet official standards. The risk is not quality but user error — bad posture