head 70–80 %
Free: cropping, background replacement, check
14-day refund if the authority rejects the photo
SourceGuichet.lu / Luxembourg authorities
Verified
Quick answer: A Luxembourg ID card photo must be 35 × 45 mm. Plain light background without textures, shadows, or foreign objects. 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 | Plain light background without textures, shadows, or foreign objects. |
| Pose | Full face, head centred, no tilt or rotation. |
| Expression | Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open. |
| Glasses | No tinted lenses or reflections; frame must not cover the eyes. See full rules → |
| Lighting | Shadows, overexposure, and reflections not permitted. |
| 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 |
Luxembourg national ID card (carte d'identité) photos follow the same MAE / MyGuichet.lu biometric standard as Luxembourg passport: 35×45mm with head 70-80% of the frame height (ICAO 9303), white background. No glasses.
The Luxembourg national ID card is a biometric chip card valid as EU travel document within EU/EEA/Schengen. Mandatory for Luxembourg citizens aged 15+ since 2014.
Issued at commune offices following biometric capture, in coordinated workflow with passport.
Examples and mistakes
A photo that will be accepted, next to the six most common reasons Luxembourg ID card photos get rejected.
Common reasons a document photo is rejected, checked against the requirements Guichet.lu / Luxembourg authorities publishes: what is wrong and what to change.
| Reason | Fix |
|---|---|
| Head height outside the ICAO 70-80% band | Re-shoot at correct distance |
| Background not pure white | Re-shoot against white backdrop |
| Glasses worn | Remove before capture |
| Photo older than 6 months | Re-shoot |
How to take it
Background: plain 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, eyes open
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 | Guichet.lu / Luxembourg authorities |
|---|---|
| Source | Luxembourg identity-card application guidance |
| Verified |
Questions
The Luxembourg 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.
Plain light background without textures, shadows, or foreign objects. A plain, evenly lit wall without shadows or pattern is enough — the tool sets the required background colour.
For this document the photo must be no older than 6 months. If your hair, beard or face has changed noticeably since then, take a new one.
No tinted lenses or reflections; frame must not cover the eyes. 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 Luxembourg 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.
Yes. The same 35 × 45 mm format and head size apply to: passport, residence permit.