Belgian Passport Photo Requirements 2026 – FOD Rules

Belgian passport photos must measure exactly 35mm wide and 45mm tall. This format is consistent with the ICAO Doc 9303 standard used across the European Union.

The head must measure between 32mm and 36mm from chin to the top of the skull (not including hair). The face should be centred horizontally in the image. The top of the head, including a small amount of hair, should appear near the top edge of the photo, leaving a small margin.

The subject must face the camera directly, with the head neither tilted nor rotated. Side profiles are not accepted. Both ears should ideally be visible, though hair covering the ears is acceptable provided the face is not obscured.

The background must be plain white or very light grey with no patterns, textures, or gradients. There must be sufficient contrast between the background and the subject's face, hair, and clothing.

Shadows on the background are a common rejection reason. The photo should be taken with diffuse, even lighting — a flash directed at a white wall, or natural daylight from a window, typically produces good results. Shadows across the face are also not permitted.

The required expression is neutral with the mouth closed. Smiling, frowning, or any exaggerated expression is not acceptable. This requirement exists to ensure consistent biometric matching at automated border gates.

Eyes must be open and clearly visible, looking directly into the camera. Hair or clothing must not cover any part of the eyes. Red-eye must be corrected before submission.

Glasses are not permitted under the ICAO standard adopted by Belgium. This applies to prescription glasses, sunglasses, and any other eyewear. Transparent contact lenses are accepted; coloured or tinted lenses that alter natural eye colour are not.

Head coverings are only permitted for documented religious or medical reasons. Even when permitted, the face must be fully visible from chin to forehead, and the covering must not cast shadows on the face.

The same photo specifications apply to the Belgian eID (electronic identity card). Both documents are issued through the local municipality (gemeente / commune), and the same ICAO-compliant biometric photo is required for both applications.

Belgians aged 12 and over are required by law to carry an eID. Children under 12 may receive a Kids-ID. The photo requirements for all of these documents follow the same ICAO standard described in this article.

Belgian passports are issued with the following validity periods:

• Adults (18+): 10 years
• Persons under 18: 5 years
• Children under 6: 3 years

Regardless of passport validity, the photo submitted at the time of application must have been taken within the last 6 months. The photo must accurately reflect your current appearance. Even if your old passport is technically valid, you will need a new photo if your appearance has changed significantly.

Photos must be of high photographic quality. The following technical standards apply:

• Minimum resolution: 300 DPI
• Printed on photo-quality paper with a matte or glossy finish
• No creases, folds, tears, or marks
• No digital filters, retouching, or colour manipulation
• Sharp focus — blurry or pixelated images are rejected
• Correct skin tone rendering — no overexposed or colour-shifted photos

Digital photos for online submission (where available) must meet the same specifications in digital form: JPEG, minimum 600×800 pixels, sRGB colour profile.