head 70–80 %
Free: cropping, background replacement, check
14-day refund if the authority rejects the photo
SourceFPS Foreign Affairs Belgium
Verified
Quick answer: The recommended Belgium residence card photo size is 35 × 45 mm. White background and matte print without glare. 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 background and matte print without glare. Make photo background white — Belgium residence card → |
| Pose | Full face, face centred. |
| Expression | Neutral expression, mouth closed, teeth not visible. |
| 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 residence card (carte de séjour / verblijfskaart) photos are administered by FPS Interior — Immigration Office and local communal administrations. The format follows the Belgian biometric standard: 35×45mm with head 31-36mm, ICAO 9303 compliant.
Belgium-specific (same as passport): background must be light but not necessarily white — cream, light grey, or very light blue accepted. Two identical photos typically required.
Photos taken within 6 months. Belgian residence cards are issued in coordinated workflow with Personalausweis-equivalent eID via commune offices.
Examples and mistakes
A photo that will be accepted, next to the six most common reasons Belgium residence 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 |
|---|---|
| Dark or non-uniform background | Re-shoot against uniform light backdrop (cream/grey/light blue OK) |
| Head outside 31-36mm | Re-shoot at correct distance |
| Reflecting or tinted glasses | Re-shoot without glasses or anti-reflective |
| Photo older than 6 months | Re-shoot |
How to take it
Background: plain white
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, teeth not visible
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 identity and residence card form photo requirements |
| Verified |
Questions
The recommended size for the Belgium residence card photo is 35 × 45 mm. The head occupies 70–80% of the photo height.
Usually no older than six months; some immigration offices ask for a more recent one. Take a new photo that looks like you on the day you apply.
White background and matte print without glare. A plain, evenly lit wall without shadows or pattern is enough — the tool sets the required background colour.
Only if the size and rules are the same and the photo is still recent. Otherwise take a new one: the same selfie can be turned into photos for both documents.
Take a new photo: it should show how you look now — hairstyle, beard, glasses.
We refund the payment in full. Email us within 14 days of purchase with your order number and the rejection notice from the Belgium immigration office.
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.
Yes. The same 35 × 45 mm format and head size apply to: EU blue card, EU long-term residence permit, national visa (Type D), refugee travel document, residence card for family member of an EU citizen, Schengen visa.