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Croatia ID Card Photo (Osobna Iskaznica): 35 x 45 mm, Head Up to 36 mm, Old Photo Reusable for 5 Years

For the Croatian eOI you attach one colour 3.5 x 4.5 cm photo — unless a photo used for an ID card or passport in the last five years is on file.

Published 3 min read

Paper illustration of a template with nested ovals over a blank card and a magnifier, with a seaside town outside
In this article · 5 sections
  1. 01When you do not need a new photo
  2. 02The format: the Ministry’s template
  3. 03Face, glasses, head covering
  4. 04Questions
  5. 05Official sources

Key points

5 points
  1. Ministry of the Interior: attach 1 colour photograph of 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm to the identity card (eOI) application.
  2. No photo needed if one used earlier for an ID card or passport is on file, not more than five years have passed and your appearance has not changed significantly.
  3. Head (chin to crown) about 2/3 of the picture, not higher than 36 mm; eyes at least 8 mm apart, optimal 10 mm.
  4. Background uniformly light, ideally light grey; neutral expression, mouth closed; no tinted glasses.
  5. Head covering only for medical or religious reasons with cheeks, chin and forehead uncovered.

For a Croatian identity card (osobna iskaznica, eOI) the Ministry of the Interior asks you to attach one colour photograph of 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm to the application, show a previous ID card or another public document with a photo, and sign the agreement on certification services.

When you do not need a new photo

A photograph does not have to be attached if a photo used earlier for an identity card or a passport is stored in the records, provided that not more than five years have passed since it was first used and your appearance has not changed significantly.

The format: the Ministry’s template

The Ministry’s instructions for e-document photos use a template: the lower edge of the chin touches the chin line and the head edges must lie in the green zone between the largest and the smallest oval.

Item35 x 45 mm photo
Size35 mm wide, 45 mm high
HeadChin to crown about 2/3 of the picture, not higher than 36 mm; hair may stick out of the picture
EyesAt least 8 mm between the middles of the eyes (optimal 10 mm)
AgeNot older than six months
BackgroundUniformly light, ideally light grey, no patterns or shadows
PaperHigh-quality, glossy and smooth, no scratches, stains or folds

Face, glasses, head covering

  • Frontal shot, neutral expression with the mouth closed — no profile, half-profile or smile.
  • Eyes open, level, not covered by hair; even lighting with no reflections or shadows on the face.
  • Glasses only with the eyes clearly recognisable: no reflections, no tinted lenses or sunglasses, no frame covering the eyes.
  • e-Građani: no head covering; exceptionally for medical or religious reasons if the cheeks, chin and forehead are not covered. Blind people who wear dark glasses may be photographed with them.
  • No mirror-reversed pictures and no changed proportions.

See our Croatia ID card photo page for the format.

04Questions

5 answers
01What photo size is needed for a Croatian ID card?

One colour photograph of 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm (Ministry of the Interior).

02Can I skip the photo?

Yes, if a photo used for an ID card or passport in the last five years is on file and your appearance has not changed significantly.

03What background is required?

Uniformly light, ideally light grey, with no patterns or shadows.

04How big must the head be?

About 2/3 of the picture from chin to crown, not higher than 36 mm; the eyes at least 8 mm apart.

05Can I wear a headscarf?

Only for medical or religious reasons, with the cheeks, chin and forehead uncovered (e-Građani).

05Official sources

  1. Ministry of the Interior of Croatia — Osobna iskaznica (eOI)
    mup.gov.hr
  2. Ministry of the Interior of Croatia — Upute za pripremu fotografija za e-dokumente
    mup.gov.hr
  3. e-Građani (gov.hr) — Identity card issuance
    gov.hr

Author: Yevhen Kravchenko. Published . Checked against official sources on .

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