Croatian national ID card photo (35×45 mm)

Official Size and Head Requirements

When you apply for a Croatian national ID card, known officially as the Osobna iskaznica, you must submit a photograph that meets precise official measurements^[1]. The official size of the photo is 35 by 45 millimeters, which translates to about 1.38 by 1.77 inches^[1][2]. This specific size requirement ensures that your printed picture fits correctly into government application files and scanning equipment.

The photo template sets a head height of 31.5 to 36 millimeters for people over 11^[2]. Measure from the chin line to the top of the head^[2].

Rules for Children and Infants

Taking a photo for a child or an infant requires following modified rules for head size and positioning. The biometric photo template specifies a lower minimum head height of 22.5 millimeters for children under the age of 11^[2].

For children under 11, the template sets a minimum head height of 22.5 millimeters and a maximum of 36 millimeters^[2].

Background and Lighting Standards

The authority requires a specific background style for your official ID photo submission. Your background must be neutral, preferably white, evenly lit and shadow-free^[2]. You should avoid colored walls, textured surfaces, wallpaper, or any visible objects behind you when you snap the picture.

Good lighting helps you eliminate unwanted shadows on your face or the background wall. Face a soft natural light source such as a large window to get even illumination across your features. Make sure there are no harsh dark spots under your chin, around your nose, or near your eyes.

Expression, Glasses, and Headwear

You must maintain a neutral facial expression when the photo is captured for your identity document^[2]. Keep your mouth closed completely and look directly into the camera lens without tilting your head^[2]. Do not smile, frown, smirk, or raise your eyebrows in a way that changes your natural facial structure.

Glasses have conditional rules for your ID photo submission^[2]. If you wear glasses daily, make sure the frames do not cover your eyes and check that there is no bright glare on the glass lenses. Blind applicants are permitted to wear dark glasses during the photo session^[2].

Religious or medical head coverings are allowed if they do not obscure your cheeks, chin, or forehead^[2].

Taking Your Photo at Home

You can take your ID photo at home using a digital camera or a modern smartphone. Stand about one to one and a half meters away from the camera and keep the lens positioned directly at your eye level. Ask a trusted friend or family member to take the picture for you instead of attempting a handheld selfie, because selfies distort facial proportions.

Once you capture a clear picture with proper lighting, you can use the tool above to crop your image to the correct 35 by 45 millimeter dimensions. The tool helps you line up your head height properly within the frame and arranges your photo layout neatly on a standard print sheet.

Printing and Reusing Photos

You usually need to supply one colour printed photo for your identity card application^[1]. You can easily print the sheet prepared by the tool above as an ordinary four by six inch photo at a local retail store kiosk.

You may reuse a photo from a Croatian passport or ID if the document was issued within the past five years and your appearance has not changed significantly^[1].

Common Reasons Photos Get Refused

The photo instructions require even lighting without shadows and a closed mouth^[2].

Another frequent issue is incorrect head scaling where the chin-to-top measurement falls outside the 31.5 to 36 millimeter range^[2]. Always double-check your measurements and background lighting before you print the final image to avoid rejection by the issuing office.