head 64–76 %
Free: cropping, background replacement, check
14-day refund if the authority rejects the photo
Sourcefedpol / Swiss Confederation
Verified
Quick answer: A Switzerland ID card photo must be 35 × 45 mm. Uniform neutral background without shadows or foreign objects. Head occupies 64–76% of photo height (29–34 mm chin to crown). Neutral expression, glasses only if no glare. Last verified .
Requirements
| Format | 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Head height | 64–76% of photo heightICAO 9303: 70–80% |
| Head height (mm) | 29–34 mm chin to crownICAO 9303: 32–36 mm |
| Background | Uniform neutral background without shadows or foreign objects. |
| Pose | Full face, shoulders level, face directed directly into the camera. |
| Expression | Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open. |
| Glasses | Glasses permitted only if eyes are fully visible and there are no reflections. See full rules → |
| Lighting | No shadows on face and background, no overexposure or print artefacts. |
| Head covering | Religious reasons only; must not cover the facial oval. |
| Attire | No uniform; head covering permitted only for officially recognised exceptions. |
| 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 |
Switzerland national ID card (Identitätskarte / Carte d'identité) photos are administered by fedpol through commune of residence offices. The format is 35×45mm with head 29-34mm (same narrower Swiss spec as passport).
Unique among Swiss documents: the ID card accepts either color or black-and-white photo (the Swiss passport requires color only). 5mm top-of-head margin, light grey background. Some communes accept digital photos or capture photos on-site; varies by canton.
New biometric ID card with chip rolling out from November 2025.
Examples and mistakes
A photo that will be accepted, next to the six most common reasons Switzerland ID card photos get rejected.
Typical reasons a photo is rejected: some follow from the rules fedpol / Swiss Confederation publishes, the rest are the usual document-photo requirements. The table shows what is wrong and what to change.
| Reason | Fix |
|---|---|
| Head outside 29-34mm | Re-shoot — Swiss narrower range |
| Top-of-head margin not 5mm | Re-crop to fedpol exact spec |
| White background (light grey required) | Re-shoot against light grey backdrop |
| Photo older than 6 months | Re-shoot |
How to take it
Background: plain neutral
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: 64–76 % of the photo height (29–34 mm)
Camera at eye level, about a metre away; head and shoulders in the shot. The tool crops it to 35 × 45 mm.
Glasses only if 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 | fedpol / Swiss Confederation |
|---|---|
| Source | Swiss accepted photos for passports and identity cards |
| Verified |
Questions
The Switzerland ID card photo must be 35 × 45 mm. The head must occupy 64–76% of the photo height. The photo should look like you do day to day.
Uniform neutral background without shadows or foreign objects. 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.
Glasses permitted only if eyes are fully visible and there are no 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 Switzerland 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.
Yes. The same 35 × 45 mm format and head size apply to: refugee travel document.