Photo on Your CV in Spain: Yes or No? (2026)

The photo on a CV is one of the topics that generates the most uncertainty among candidates in Spain. Do you need to include one? Does it help, or could it work against you? The short answer is: in Spain, including one is recommended, but with important caveats that depend on the sector, the type of company, and how you plan to send your CV. Below, we explain everything in detail.

What does the SEPE say about the CV photo?

The Servicio Público de Empleo Estatal (SEPE) is the official reference body in Spain for job seeking. In its CV and cover letter guide updated in 2025, the SEPE expressly states that "a photo may be included" on a Spanish CV. It does not consider it mandatory, but does recognise it as a common and accepted element within the CV structure in the Spanish labour market.

This contrasts sharply with Anglo-Saxon practice: in the United States, the United Kingdom or Australia, including a photo on your CV can lead to the immediate rejection of your application, as companies in those countries avoid any data that could give rise to discrimination during the selection process. In Spain and most of continental Europe, the custom is different.

What do Spanish recruiters think?

The data speaks for itself. According to a survey by InfoJobs — Spain's leading jobs portal — CVs that include a photo are viewed up to three times more than those that do not. Recruiters themselves confirm that the photo is one of the factors that most encourages them to open and remember an application: it is easier to associate a name with a face than with a blank document.

In addition, another study cited by the portal CvPro.es indicates that more than 70% of Spanish recruiters expect to find a photo on a CV, even though they acknowledge it is not a legal requirement. Leaving it out is not a serious mistake, but it can cause your application to lose visibility compared to others that do include one.

The photo and data protection (GDPR)

Since the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) came into force and its transposition into Spanish law via Organic Law 3/2018 (LOPDGDD), there has been some confusion about whether companies can request or use photos in recruitment processes. The reality is that photos are not prohibited: when you decide to include one in your CV and send your application, you are voluntarily providing that data within the context of a pre-contractual process, which is perfectly lawful under Article 6.1(b) of the GDPR.

What the GDPR does protect against is the misuse of that data: the receiving company may only use it for the selection process for which you applied, not for other purposes. If you have concerns about privacy, remember that you have the right of access, rectification and erasure of your data at any time.

When should you NOT include a photo?

Although a photo is standard in Spain, there are situations where it is better to leave it out:

• If your CV will go through an ATS system: many applicant tracking software tools do not process images and can generate errors when reading the document. To find out more about how these systems work, check out our complete ATS guide for 2026.
• If you are applying to international companies based in Spain that follow Anglo-Saxon recruitment policies (many technology or finance multinationals).
• If you are sending your application to companies outside Spain, especially in the Anglo-Saxon world, where a photo can directly harm your chances.
• If the selection process is entirely online or automated and the company has not explicitly requested a photo.

What the ideal CV photo should look like in Spain

If you decide to include one — and in most cases in Spain it is the recommended approach — make sure it meets these criteria:

• Passport format (approximately 3.5 × 4.5 cm), in portrait orientation, placed at the top of the CV, usually on the right next to your contact details.
• Recent: use a photo taken within the last two years. Recruiters should be able to recognise you when you arrive for the interview.
• Neutral background: white, light grey or soft blue. Avoid distracting backgrounds, outdoor settings or images cropped from other photos.
• Attire appropriate to the sector: in banking, law or consulting, opt for formal clothing. In creative sectors or start-ups, a more casual but neat look is also acceptable.
• Approachable and professional expression: a slight smile conveys confidence and approachability. Avoid forced poses or overly stern expressions.
• Good lighting: natural or diffused artificial light, with no harsh shadows on the face. Avoid direct flash.
• High resolution: the image should appear sharp both on screen and in print. A minimum of 300 dpi is recommended.

CV photo by professional sector

The advisability of including a photo also varies depending on your professional field:

• Sectors where it is very common: sales, customer service, hospitality, tourism, public relations, teaching and any role with a strong element of direct contact with people.
• Sectors where it is optional: technology, engineering, data science or finance, where technical skills tend to be the deciding factor. Even so, in Spain many companies in these sectors also value a photo.
• Sectors where you can leave it out: if you are applying for positions at companies with strong diversity and inclusion policies, or if the job listing explicitly states that a photo should not be included.

Would you like CV examples tailored to your sector? Browse our CV templates by profession, where you will find specific templates for more than twelve professional profiles.

The discrimination debate

One reason some experts advise against including a photo is the risk of discrimination based on physical appearance, age or any other visible characteristic. In Spain there is no law prohibiting its inclusion or preventing recruiters from taking it into account, although the principle of equal treatment in access to employment (enshrined in the Workers' Statute and the Equality Act) requires companies not to make decisions based on personal characteristics irrelevant to the role. That said, the reality of the Spanish labour market is that a photo remains a widespread and generally welcome practice.

How to correctly integrate the photo into your CV

The design and layout of your CV greatly affect how the photo looks. A poorly placed or low-quality image can detract from your professionalism rather than add to it. Make sure the photo does not break the visual structure of the document or cover any relevant information. If you want to explore the overall design of your CV in more depth, we recommend reading our article on best CV formatting practices for 2026.

At ResumeHero you can create your CV in Spanish for free using templates designed for the Spanish market, which include space for the photo in the correct position and are optimised for both human readers and ATS systems. Get started now at resumehero.io and build a professional CV in minutes.