head 70–80 %
Free: cropping, background replacement, check
14-day refund if the authority rejects the photo
SourceFPS Foreign Affairs Belgium
Verified
Quick answer: A Belgium ID card photo must be 35 × 45 mm. White or light uniform background. Head occupies 70–80% of photo height. Neutral expression, clear lenses only, no glare. Last verified .
Requirements
| Format | 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Head height | 70–80% of photo height |
| Background | White or light uniform background. |
| Pose | Full face, looking directly into the camera without tilting. |
| Expression | Neutral expression, mouth closed. |
| Glasses | Eyes must be fully visible; no tinted lenses or strong reflections. See full rules → |
| Lighting | Shadows, overexposure, and reflections not permitted. |
| Head covering | Religious reasons only; must not cover the facial oval. |
| Attire | Neutral clothing without uniform or distracting accessories. |
| File format | JPEG · sRGB / 24-bit |
| Millimetres | 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Centimetres | 3.5 × 4.5 cm |
| Inches | 1.38 × 1.77″ |
| Pixels at 300 dpi | 413 × 531 px |
| Pixels at 600 dpi | 827 × 1063 px |
Belgium ID card (eID — electronic identity card / elektronische identiteitskaart / carte d'identité électronique) photos are administered by the Federal Public Service Interior (FPS Home Affairs) and issued at local commune offices. The format follows the Belgian biometric standard: 35×45mm with head 31-36mm.
Belgium-specific: background light but not necessarily white — cream, light grey, or very light blue all explicitly accepted. The Belgian eID is a chip card used as travel document within EU and for digital signature/authentication.
Photo captured at commune office or BYO photo accepted with biometric standards met.
Examples and mistakes
A photo that will be accepted, next to the six most common reasons Belgium ID card photos get rejected.
Common reasons a document photo is rejected, checked against the requirements FPS Foreign Affairs Belgium publishes: what is wrong and what to change.
| Reason | Fix |
|---|---|
| Background dark or non-uniform | Re-shoot against uniform light backdrop |
| Head outside 31-36mm | Re-shoot at correct distance |
| Print resolution below 400 DPI | Reprint at minimum 400 DPI |
| Glasses can be removed for photo even if normally worn | Re-shoot without glasses if glare visible |
How to take it
Background: white or light
The tool puts in the required background. Stand half a metre from a plain light wall, face a window and shoot without flash — then there are no shadows on your face or on the wall.
Head: 70–80 % of the photo height
Camera at eye level, about a metre away; head and shoulders in the shot. The tool crops it to 35 × 45 mm.
Clear lenses only, no glare
If you wear glasses, check the shot: no glare on the lenses, eyes clearly visible.
Neutral expression, mouth closed
Look straight into the lens with your head level; keep hair away from your eyes and eyebrows.
An ordinary selfie will do: we fix the background, light and framing ourselves — to this document's rules. The preview is free.
Head straightHold the phone at eye level and your head straightens by itself.
Face uncoveredMove your hair away so your eyes and eyebrows show.
No glare on glassesStand so that no light reflects in the lenses.Printing and submission
| 10 × 15 cm · 4 × 6″ | 8 (4 × 2) |
|---|---|
| A4 · 21 × 29.7 cm | 36 (6 × 6) |
Print at 100% scale, borderless, and turn off fit-to-page so each photo keeps its exact size.
| Authority | FPS Foreign Affairs Belgium |
|---|---|
| Source | Belgian eID photo requirements |
| Verified |
Questions
The Belgium ID card photo must be 35 × 45 mm. The head must occupy 70–80% of the photo height. The photo should look like you do day to day.
White or light uniform background. A plain, evenly lit wall without shadows or pattern is enough — the tool sets the required background colour.
Yes. Stand against a plain light wall facing a window, and take the photo with a timer or ask someone to help. The tool crops it to size, fixes the background and checks the framing.
Most offices accept a photo taken within the last six months. If your hair, beard or face has changed noticeably since then, take a new one.
Eyes must be fully visible; no tinted lenses or strong reflections. If you keep them on, tilt them slightly downwards by lifting the arms a little above your ears: this usually moves reflections of a window or lamp off the lenses.
We refund the payment in full. Email us within 14 days of purchase with your order number and the rejection notice from the Belgium authority.
35 × 45 mm = 3.5 × 4.5 cm = 1.38 × 1.77 inches. At 300 dpi that is 413 × 531 pixels; at 600 dpi, 827 × 1063 pixels.
Religious reasons only; must not cover the facial oval. The face must stay fully visible from chin to forehead and on both sides, with no shadow across it.