BELGIUM PASSPORT PHOTO REQUIREMENTS AT A GLANCE
Follow these key rules to make sure your photo is accepted.
DIMENSIONS
Photo size: 35 × 45 mm
Head size: 31 – 36 mm
FACE POSITION & SIZE
Keep your head centered with even space around.
BACKGROUND
Important Note
Belgium passport photos must be taken within the last 6 months. Ensure a plain light gray or white background, glasses permitted, and exact 35 × 45 mm sizing.
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Quick reference: Belgium passport photo specifications
Before submitting your application via the online portal or at a Belgian embassy, consulate, or VFS Global centre, ensure your photo meets every parameter in this table.
| Specification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Photo size (Paper) | 35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in) |
| Digital resolution | 413 × 531 px @ 300 DPI |
| Face height | 31 – 36 mm (70–80% of total height) |
| File format & size | JPEG, 50 KB – 5 MB |
| Background colour | Light Gray or White |
| Expression | Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open |
| Glasses policy | Permitted with thin, non-reflective frames |
| Recency | Taken within the last 6 months |
Official Belgium passport photo dimensions
Belgian Schengen passport and passport photo requirements specify photos must be exactly 35 mm wide and 45 mm high. Your face from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head (crown) must occupy between 70% and 80% of the total photo height (31–36 mm).
Belgium passport photo size in mm, cm, and inches
| Unit | Width | Height | Face height |
|---|---|---|---|
| Millimetres (mm) | 35 mm | 45 mm | 31 – 36 mm |
| Centimetres (cm) | 3.5 cm | 4.5 cm | 3.1–3.6 cm |
| Inches (in) | 1.38 in | 1.77 in | 1.24–1.42 in |
| Pixels (px @ 300 DPI) | 413 px | 531 px | 372–425 px |
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Print vs. digital application requirements
| Aspect | Print (paper form) | Digital (Online) |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 35 × 45 mm | 413 × 531 px |
| Format | Colour print on photo paper | JPEG (50 KB – 5 MB) |
| Background | Light Gray or White | Light Gray or White |
| Resolution | Min 300 DPI | 413 × 531 px (300 DPI) |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed | Neutral, mouth closed |
Background requirements for Belgium passport photos
The background must be plain, uniform, and shadow-free. Acceptable colours are light grey, cream, or white.
Face position and expression rules
Your face must be centred, looking directly at the lens with a neutral, relaxed expression and mouth closed.
Glasses policy for Belgium passport photos
Glasses are permitted only if frames are thin and lenses cause no glare or reflections. Removing glasses is recommended to prevent rejection.
Belgium passport photo checklist: do's and don'ts
Double check these common pitfalls to ensure your photo isn't delayed or rejected.
Do
- Use a plain, uniform background — light grey, cream, or white are acceptable
- Ensure your face is centred, forward-facing, and fully visible from chin to crown
- Keep your eyes fully open and looking directly at the camera lens
- Maintain a neutral, relaxed expression with your mouth closed
- Use even, diffused lighting with no harsh shadows on your face or background
- Include the tops of both shoulders and the base of the neck in the frame
- Ensure hair does not obscure your eyes, eyebrows, or the edges of your face
- Submit a JPEG or PNG file (minimum 10 KB) for online submissions
- Have the photo taken within the last 6 months to reflect your current appearance
- Wear everyday clothing that contrasts well with the light background
Don't
- Smile, frown, tilt or turn your head, or allow your eyes to be partially closed
- Use a dark, coloured, patterned, textured, or overly bright white background
- Retouch, filter, adjust brightness/contrast, or digitally alter the photo in any way
- Submit a scanned photo or a picture of a printed photo
- Upload a file that is too small or overly compressed (stay above 10 KB)
- Wear hats, caps, or fashion headwear (religious/medical head coverings permitted under conditions)
- Allow hair, large jewellery, or accessories to cover your eyes or face
- Use a photo older than 6 months
- Use a black-and-white, sepia, or heavily compressed image
- Wear glasses with thick frames or that cause glare/reflections on the lenses
How to take a Belgium passport photo at home
Set up a light grey, cream, or white background
Stand or sit in front of a plain, uniformly coloured wall or surface that is light grey, cream, or white. The background must be shadow-free with no patterns, textures, folds, or objects. A light grey background is the standard Schengen recommendation and helps prevent overexposure.
Set up balanced, diffused lighting
Use natural daylight from a large window, or two balanced artificial lights at equal height and distance on either side of your face. Avoid direct flash, which creates harsh highlights, red-eye, and shadows. Soft, even lighting is crucial for a uniform background and a well-lit face without shadows under the chin or in the eye sockets.
Position your head and body correctly
Face the camera directly with your head level and upright — not tilted, not turned. Your chin should be neither raised nor lowered. Both sides of your face should be equally visible. Your shoulders and the base of your neck should appear at the bottom of the frame. Position yourself approximately 45–60 cm from the camera.
Take the photo
Open your eyes fully and look directly into the lens. Keep a neutral expression with your mouth closed — no smiling, frowning, or raised eyebrows. If you wear glasses, consider removing them to avoid glare, or ensure they have thin frames and tilt them slightly to prevent reflections. Ask someone else to take the photo for better framing and sharpness.
Crop and size the image
For paper submissions, crop to exactly 35 × 45 mm at 300 DPI minimum, ensuring the face occupies 70–80% of the height. For online submissions, export as a JPEG or PNG file with a minimum size of 10 KB. Resize or compress the image if necessary while maintaining good quality.
Check before submitting
Verify the background is plain light grey, cream, or white and shadow-free, your expression is neutral, eyes are fully open, the face occupies 70–80% of the frame, hair does not obscure the face, there is no glare on glasses, and the file meets minimum size requirements before submitting.
Common Belgium passport photo rejection reasons
Incorrect background colour or shadows
Belgium requires a plain light grey, cream, or white background for Schengen passport photos. Dark, coloured, patterned backgrounds or the presence of any shadows on the background or face will lead to rejection. Ensure even, shadow-free lighting on a uniform surface.
Non-neutral expression or head position
Smiling, open mouth, tilted head, head turned to the side, raised eyebrows, or partially closed eyes are detected by biometric checks. Your head must be level and upright, facing the camera directly with a neutral expression and mouth closed.
Face proportion out of range
Your face from chin to crown must occupy 70–80% of the 45 mm photo height. If your face is too small (shot from too far away) or too large (over-cropped), it will fail the automated proportion check.
File too small or incorrect format
The online submission portal requires a file of at least 10 KB. Files under this size are likely over-compressed or too small and will be rejected for low quality. Use JPEG or PNG format.
Glasses causing glare or with thick frames
While glasses are permitted, they frequently cause rejection if the frames are too thick or if there is glare, reflections, or shadows from the lenses on the face or eyes. It is often safer to remove glasses for the photo.
Scan of a printed photo
Uploading a scanned version of a printed photo, or a mobile phone photo taken of another photo, will fail quality checks. The digital file must be the original camera capture, not a reproduction.
Photo older than 6 months
The photo must be recent (taken within the last 6 months) and reflect your current appearance. Older photos will be rejected during processing.
Hair or accessories obscuring the face
Hair covering the forehead, eyebrows, or eyes, and large earrings or accessories casting shadows on the face, are common causes of rejection. Pull hair back fully so the entire face is clearly visible.
Belgium passport photo requirements for babies and children
Children of all ages — including newborns — must have their own separate passport photo and cannot share a photo with a parent.
Religious head coverings in Belgium passport photos
Official sources
These pages are the authoritative references.
Frequently asked questions: Belgium passport photo 2026
What is the Belgium passport photo size requirement in 2026?
Belgium Schengen passport photos must be 35 mm wide by 45 mm high. Your face from chin to crown must occupy 70 to 80 percent of the photo height (approx. 31–36 mm). The background must be plain light grey, cream, or white. For online applications, submit a JPEG or PNG file (minimum 10 KB).
What is the Belgium passport photo size in pixels?
The Belgian online portal does not specify a fixed minimum pixel count, but a resolution of at least 600 × 800 pixels is recommended to ensure quality. Aim for 900 × 1200 pixels or higher for best results, ensuring the file is not over-compressed.
What is the Belgium passport photo size in cm and inches?
The photo must be 3.5 cm wide by 4.5 cm high. In inches, that is approximately 1.38 inches wide by 1.77 inches high. This follows the standard European Schengen format.
What colour must the background be for a Belgium passport photo?
The background must be plain and uniform. Acceptable colours are light grey, cream, or white. It must be shadow-free with no patterns or textures. A plain light grey background is the standard Schengen requirement and is strongly recommended.
Can I wear glasses in a Belgium passport photo?
Yes, glasses are permitted for Belgium/Schengen passport photos, but with strict conditions. Frames must be thin and not cover any part of the eyes. Lenses must be completely glare-free with no reflections. The eyes must be fully visible. Due to these strict rules, it is often recommended to remove glasses to avoid rejection.
Can I smile in a Belgium passport photo?
No. You must maintain a neutral expression with your mouth closed and eyes fully open. Smiling, frowning, raised eyebrows, head tilt, and any non-neutral expression will be detected by biometric processing and will cause your photo to be rejected.
How recent must a Belgium passport photo be?
The photo must have been taken within the last 6 months and must accurately reflect your current appearance. Photos that are older or that do not match your current look will be rejected.
What is the file size requirement for Belgium passport online photo upload?
The online submission portal requires a minimum file size of 10 KB. There is no strict maximum, but files over 2 MB may be difficult to upload. Aim for a file between 100 KB and 2 MB for best results. JPEG and PNG formats are accepted.
Are Belgium tourist passport and student passport photo requirements different?
No. The same 35 × 45 mm Schengen specification and biometric requirements apply across all short-stay Schengen passport categories for Belgium, including tourist, business, and visitor passports. Always check the specific documentation checklist for your passport type on the official Belgian immigration website.
Can I retouch or edit my Belgium passport photo?
No. Any form of digital retouching or editing is prohibited. This includes skin smoothing, blemish removal, background replacement, and brightness or contrast adjustments. The submitted file must be the original, unaltered digital capture.
What should I wear for a Belgium passport photo?
Wear everyday clothing that clearly contrasts with the light grey, cream, or white background. Avoid light-coloured tops that blend in. Do not wear uniforms, costumes, or anything that obscures the face or neck. Religious dress is permitted if the full face remains visible.
Are religious head coverings allowed in a Belgium passport photo?
Yes, provided the covering is worn daily for religious reasons and your full face from chin to crown remains clearly visible. The covering must not cast shadows on your face or background, and the side edges of your face (including the outer eye corners) must be visible.
What are the Belgium passport photo requirements for babies and children?
Children of all ages, including newborns, must have their own separate passport photo. For infants who cannot support their head, lay them on a plain light grey, cream, or white sheet and photograph from above. All standard requirements apply, with some flexibility on expression for very young infants.
Should a Belgium passport photo be matte or glossy?
For paper submissions, either matte or glossy photo paper is acceptable. For digital submissions via the online portal, paper finish is irrelevant. Ensure printed photos are on high-quality photo paper.
Can I use a photo taken on my phone for a Belgium passport?
Yes, provided the photo meets all requirements: plain light grey/cream/white background, neutral expression, face occupying 70–80% of the frame, JPEG or PNG format with adequate file size. Have a second person take the photo rather than using a selfie. Ensure the file is not over-compressed.
What is the difference between Belgium and other Schengen country photo requirements?
Belgium follows the standard Schengen passport photo format (35×45 mm, face 70-80%, neutral expression, light grey/cream/white background). Requirements are consistent across all Schengen countries. Always use the specific requirements of the country you are applying to, but Belgium aligns with the common Schengen standard.
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