May 28, 2026 · Guide
National ID Card Photo Requirements 2026 – EU & Global Guide
Most EU countries use the same 35×45mm ICAO standard for national ID cards as for passports — but there are important exceptions. This guide compares requirements across 15 countries so you know when your passport photo works and when it doesn't.
Short answer
In most EU countries, the same ICAO 35×45mm white-background photo applies to both passport and national ID card. Key exceptions: France requires a light grey background for its national ID (not white); Greece uses 40×60mm for its national ID; Germany and Austria capture photos in-person. US and Canadian state IDs are captured on-site — no external submission.
EU National ID Cards: The Shared ICAO Standard
EU Regulation 2019/1157 on strengthening the security of EU citizens' identity cards introduced a mandatory ICAO-compliant facial image requirement for all EU national identity cards issued from August 2021. This means the same biometric photo rules that apply to EU passports — 35×45mm, white or light background, ICAO face geometry — now apply to national ID cards across EU member states.
In practice, this means a single ID Wizard-produced photo will work for both passport and national ID applications in most EU countries — with the main exception being France, which uses a light grey background specifically for its national ID.
France: The Light Grey Background Exception
France is the most notable EU exception. The ANTS (Agence Nationale des Titres Sécurisés) specifies:
- French passport: White or off-white background (ICAO standard)
- Carte nationale d'identité (CNI): Light grey background (not white)
This means a standard ICAO white-background photo is not directly interchangeable for both documents in France. When applying for a French national ID, you need a version with a light grey background. If you are applying for a Schengen visa at a French consulate, the white-background ICAO standard applies — not the grey background used for the CNI.
15-Country Comparison: National ID Card Photo Requirements
| Country | ID Name | Size | Background | Digital Submission |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | Personalausweis | 35×45mm | White or very light grey | Photo taken in-person at Bürgeramt |
| France | Carte nationale d'identité (CNI) | 35×45mm | Light grey | Via ANTS online pre-application |
| Italy | Carta d'Identità Elettronica (CIE) | 35×45mm | White | Photo captured at municipio |
| Spain | Documento Nacional de Identidad (DNI) | 32×26mm (traditional) / 35×45mm | White | Photo taken at Policía Nacional office |
| Netherlands | Identiteitskaart | 35×45mm | White or off-white | Digital submission accepted |
| Belgium | Carte d'identité / Identiteitskaart (eID) | 35×45mm | White or very light grey | Digital submission via commune |
| Austria | Personalausweis | 35×45mm | White or light grey | Online photos accepted |
| Poland | Dowód osobisty | 35×45mm | White or light grey | Online photos accepted |
| Sweden | Nationellt identitetskort | 35×45mm | White or light grey | Digital submission accepted |
| Switzerland | Identitätskarte / Carte d'identité | 35×45mm | White | Online photos accepted |
| Greece | Δελτίο Ταυτότητας | 40×60mm | White | Photo taken at KEP office |
| Portugal | Cartão de Cidadão | 35×45mm | White or off-white | Via Espaço Cidadão |
| United Kingdom | None issued | N/A | N/A | No national ID card exists |
| USA | State ID (varies by state) | DMV-specific | Captured at DMV | Photo taken in-person at DMV |
| Canada | Provincial ID (varies by province) | Provincial standard | Captured at service centre | Photo taken at provincial office |
Always verify current requirements with the official issuing authority before submitting.
Outside the EU: The Picture Is Different
Outside the EU, national ID card photo processes vary significantly:
- United Kingdom: No national ID card is issued to UK citizens. A passport or driving licence serves as the primary photo ID.
- USA: State IDs and driver's licences are captured by DMV staff using their own camera equipment. You cannot bring an external photo. There is no national US ID card.
- Canada: Provincial IDs vary by province and are typically captured at service centres. No national ID card is issued.
- Australia: No national ID card. The passport and driver's licence serve as primary photo ID.
- Switzerland: Swiss national ID uses 35×45mm ICAO format, same as the Swiss passport. Online photos accepted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a passport photo for my national ID card?
In most EU countries, yes — the same 35×45mm ICAO-standard photo with white or off-white background applies to both passport and national ID card. Key exceptions: France requires a light grey background for the carte nationale d'identité; Greece requires 40×60mm for its national ID. Always verify with the issuing authority for your country.
Why does France use a grey background for its national ID card?
The French carte nationale d'identité (CNI) has historically used a light grey background as specified by the ANTS. This differs from the white background used for French passports and Schengen visa applications. The same ICAO white-background photo is not interchangeable for the French national ID — you need a light grey background version for the CNI.
Does the UK have a national ID card?
As of 2026, the United Kingdom does not issue a general national identity card to all citizens. The UK issued a National Identity Card scheme from 2008–2011, which was abolished. UK residents use a driving licence or passport as their primary identity document.
Do US states have standardised photo requirements for state ID cards?
US state IDs and driver's licences do not use the 35×45mm ICAO standard. Each state sets its own photo capture requirements, and photos are almost always taken by the DMV at the office. Bringing an external photo to a US DMV is generally not accepted.
Always verify current requirements with the official issuing authority in your country before submitting a national ID or passport application.
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