Belgian Passport, Visa, and ID Photo Guide
Prepare a photo for your Belgian application using the size and format required for that document[1][2].
Belgian Documents Covered By This Guide
This guide covers several official Belgian application types. You can prepare photos for the Belgian passport (adult), Belgian child or baby passport photo, and the Belgian national identity card photo[1][3][2]. It also includes the Belgian Kids-ID photo and the Belgian residence permit card photo[4][2].
Other accepted types are the Belgian driving licence photo and the Belgian international driving permit photo[5][6]. You can also prepare pictures for the Belgian visitor or tourist visa photo, the Belgian national long-stay visa photo, and the Belgian seafarer's book photo[7][8]. Each document category has specific formatting instructions that you must follow closely.
Passports and Identity Cards
Most identity documents share strict sizing rules. The Belgian passport (adult), Belgian child or baby passport photo, Belgian national identity card photo, Belgian Kids-ID photo, and Belgian residence permit card photo all measure 35x45 mm[1][3][4][2]. These specific documents require printed submission rather than digital uploads[1][3][4][2].
The listed photo criteria set a 31–36 mm head height for these documents[1][3][4][2]. Check your application instructions before submitting your paperwork to the office. Keeping your expression neutral and looking directly at the camera lens is important for these official identity papers.
Visa Photo Standards
The supplied facts list 35×45 mm photos and a 25–35 mm head height for visitor or tourist and national long-stay visas[7].
The supplied facts list both printed and digital submission for these visa photos[7]. Confirm the format required by your application.
Driving Licences and Permits
The fact table lists 35×45 mm as a common size for Belgian driving licence and international driving permit photos, with no set head height[5][6].
The fact table lists printed submission for both driving photos[5][6]. Check the application instructions for where and how to submit them to local authorities.
Seafarer's Books
The fact table lists a 35×45 mm common size for seafarer’s book photos and no set head-height measurement[8].
Unlike most other documents on this list, you must submit this specific photo digitally[8].
Taking the Photo at Home
You can take your ID photo at home with a simple digital camera or smartphone. Find a plain, light-coloured wall to use as your background so there are no patterns, textures, or shadows behind you. Stand about one to one and a half meters away from the camera to avoid any distortion of your facial features.
Good lighting makes a big difference in how your photo turns out. Face a window with natural daylight to light your face evenly from the front. Avoid harsh overhead lights that cast dark shadows under your eyes or nose. Ask a friend or family member to hold the camera at your eye level rather than taking a selfie with your arm outstretched. Keep your mouth closed and your eyes open looking straight ahead.
Checking and Printing Your Photo
Before you print your picture, check the crop carefully to match the required dimensions. For most Belgian documents, the photo size is 35x45 mm[1][3][4][2]. Make sure your head is centered and meets the correct height rules for your specific document type[1][3][4][2].
If your application requires a printed photo, print it on high-quality photo paper with a sharp resolution. Do not use plain printer paper or glossy paper with heavy texture. Cut the photo cleanly along the edges using a paper trimmer or sharp scissors so the dimensions are exact and fit neatly into the application space.
Practical Tips for Your Photo
Taking a good picture at home is simple with the right setup. Stand facing a bright window to get even, natural lighting on your face. Ask a friend or family member to take the picture instead of stretching your arm for a selfie.
Keep the camera at your eye level and stand about one to one and a half meters away from the lens. You can use the tool above to crop your image to the correct size before printing.
Frequently asked questions
What size do Belgian passport photos need to be?
Belgian adult and child passport photos must measure 35x45 mm with a head height between 31 and 36 mm[1].
Can I submit digital photos for a Belgian identity card?
What are the head height rules for Belgian visas?
The supplied facts list a 25–35 mm head height for visitor, tourist, and long-stay visa photos[7].
Do driving licences have a strict head height rule in Belgium?
How do I submit a photo for a Belgian seafarer's book?
You must submit the seafarer's book photo digitally, measuring 35x45 mm[8].