Switzerland Passport and ID Card Photo: fedpol Requirements 2026
Switzerland
In short. Switzerland requires a 35×45 mm photo, head from chin to crown 29-34 mm, top margin 5 mm, a plain neutral light-grey background with no shadows. Under the current fedpol guidelines a colour photo is required for the passport, while colour or black-and-white is accepted for the ID card; on the document itself the image is printed in black and white.
- Photo size is 35×45 mm without a border; face height from chin to crown 29-34 mm (the narrower Swiss range).
- Top margin above the head is exactly 5 mm; the nose is on the vertical centre axis.
- For the passport fedpol requires a colour digital photo; for the ID card colour or black-and-white is accepted. On the document the image is always printed in black and white.
- Background plain, neutral, light grey, with no shadows and a clear boundary between the head and the background; expression neutral, mouth closed.
- Whether to bring your own photo depends on the canton/commune: at many passport offices and issuing centres (Ausweiszentrum) the facial image is captured on site, but some communes ask for a paper photo to the template. Prepare a 35×45 mm photo and check with your commune; abroad, biometrics are captured at the Swiss representation.
Short answer
For the Swiss passport and ID card fedpol sets a single photo format: 35×45 mm, face 29-34 mm from chin to crown, 5 mm above the head, a plain neutral light-grey background. Under the current fedpol guidelines the passport requires a colour digital photo, while for the ID card colour or black-and-white is accepted - but on the finished document the image is always printed in black and white.
Exact parameters (Fotomustertafel fedpol)
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Photo size | 35×45 mm (without a border) |
| Face height (chin-crown) | min. 29 mm, max. 34 mm |
| Children under 11 | min. 23 mm |
| Margin above the head | 5 mm |
| Background | plain, neutral, light grey, no shadows |
| Colour (passport) | colour digital photo |
| Colour (ID card) | colour or b/w (on the document - b/w) |
Pose, gaze, facial expression
- Sit straight in front of the camera (shoulders square), look straight into the lens - frontal frame only.
- Head level: not tilted, not turned, not leaning to one side.
- Nose - on the vertical centre axis of the template.
- Both eyes open, at the same height, clearly visible.
- Expression neutral, mouth closed (a friendly expression is allowed).
- No hand or objects near the face; only you in the photo.
Glasses
- The frame must not cover the eyes.
- No glare on the lenses.
- Tinted lenses and sunglasses are prohibited (dark lenses are allowed only for people with a visual impairment).
Background, lighting, headwear
The background must be plain, neutral and light grey, with a clear boundary between the head and the background, and no shadows. Lighting even, with no shadows or glare on the face, natural skin tones, no "hot spots" and no red eyes. Headwear is prohibited in principle - the only exception is for confirmed medical or religious reasons, and then the face must be visible from the lower edge of the chin to the hairline.
Where to apply
You submit the application online, by phone or at the passport office of your canton. The biometric data (facial image, signature, and for the passport - fingerprints) are captured on site - at the cantonal passport office or issuing centre (Ausweiszentrum) for your place of residence; you usually do not need to bring your own photo. If the ID card is ordered in certain communes, a paper photo to the template may be needed - check with your commune. Swiss citizens abroad order the document online, and biometrics are captured at the Swiss representation (embassy/consulate) in their country of residence.
Common reasons for refusal
- Overexposure or lack of contrast; face too large or too small.
- Gaze to the side, not a frontal frame, a tilted head.
- Closed eyes, hair or a hand on the face.
- Open mouth / non-neutral expression.
- Glare or dark lenses on the glasses.
- Blur, shadows or an uneven background with no contrast.
- Other people or objects in the frame; a uniform.
New biometric ID card (end of 2026)
Switzerland plans to introduce a biometric ID card with a chip by the end of 2026 (photo + fingerprints on the chip). The separate technical photo parameters for it have not yet been officially published - follow the current fedpol criteria above.
Related guides
Official sources
Questions
- Should the Swiss passport photo be in colour or black and white?
- For the passport fedpol requires a colour digital photo. For the ID card you may submit colour or black-and-white. On the document itself the image is printed in black and white in both cases.
- What are the photo size and face height?
- The size is 35×45 mm without a border. Face height from chin to crown is at least 29 mm, at most 34 mm; for children under 11 - at least 23 mm. Above the head - 5 mm.
- Can I wear glasses?
- Yes, if the frame does not cover the eyes and there is no glare on the lenses. Tinted lenses and sunglasses are prohibited; dark lenses are allowed only for a visual impairment.
- Do I need to bring my own photo to the issuing centre?
- Usually no: at the cantonal passport office or issuing centre (Ausweiszentrum) your facial image is captured on site. But if the ID card is ordered in certain communes, a paper photo to the template may be needed - check with your commune. Abroad, biometrics are captured by the Swiss representation.