🇪🇪 Estonia passport and ID photos

Covered Estonian Identity Documents

This page covers several official Estonian identity items. These include the Estonian passport photo (40×50 mm), the Estonian child passport photo (40×50 mm), the Estonian national ID card photo (40×50 mm), and the Estonian residence permit card photo (40×50 mm)^[1].

We also support the Estonian Schengen visa photo (35×45 mm), the Estonian long-stay visa photo (35×45 mm), the Estonian driving licence photo (40×50 mm), and the Estonian international driving permit photo (40×50 mm)^[2][3][4][5].

You can also prepare photos for the Estonian seafarer's service book (40×50 mm)^[6] and alien's passport (40×50 mm)^[1].

Photo Sizes and Head Dimensions

The passport, ID card, residence permit card, driving licence, seafarer's service book, and alien's passport photos are 40×50 mm, with a head height of 35–40 mm^[1][4][6]. The international driving permit has a common listed size of 40×50 mm, but no single official size^[5].

Visa photos follow a different standard. Both the Estonian Schengen visa photo and the Estonian long-stay visa photo require a 35×45 mm size^[2][3]. The official head height for these visa types is not set by the source^[2][3].

The international driving permit has a common listed photo size of 40×50 mm; no single official size is established^[5].

Background and Lighting Rules

Official rules require a neutral background for your identity pictures. Face a bright window to get even natural lighting on your face without harsh shadows.

Keep your camera at eye level about one to one and a half meters away from your face. Ask someone else to take the picture to avoid distortion from arm-length selfies.

Taking the Photo at Home

Setting up a good spot at home saves you time and effort. Find a plain, light wall to use as your background. Stand about one meter away from the wall to prevent dark shadows from falling behind you.

Natural light works best. Stand facing a large window during daylight hours. Avoid standing directly under overhead ceiling lights because they create heavy shadows under your eyes and nose.

Ask a friend or family member to operate the camera. Do not use your front-facing phone camera to take a selfie. Selfies warp your facial features and rarely meet official framing rules.

Digital and Printed Submissions

The listed formats allow digital or printed submissions for passport, child passport, ID card, residence permit card, and alien's passport photos^[1]. Schengen visa photos allow both formats^[2].

The Estonian long-stay visa and the seafarer's service book require printed copies^[3][6]. Meanwhile, the driving licence and international driving permit submissions are digital^[4][5].

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Many photo rejections happen because of simple errors. Keep your facial expression neutral and keep your mouth closed. Do not smile, frown, or raise your eyebrows.

Keep your face clearly visible in the photo. Check the instructions for your document about head coverings.

Pay close attention to your posture. Stand up straight and keep your shoulders level. Look directly into the camera lens without tilting your head up, down, or to the side.

Tips for Taking Your Photo

Make sure your face has a neutral expression and your mouth is completely closed. Look straight into the camera lens with your eyes wide open.

Remove your hat and heavy outerwear. You can use the tool above to arrange your photo on a standard 4x6 sheet before printing it at a local kiosk.