Passport Size Photos and Visa Size Photos of Belgium

Belgium Photo Requirements at a Glance

Important: Belgian passport photographs have specific ICAO requirements, including a face height of 31–36 mm. Visa applicants should also check the current requirements of the Belgian Immigration Office, embassy or visa application centre handling their application.

Belgium Passport Photo Requirements

Belgian passport photographs must comply with ICAO standards. The Belgian government states that photographs that do not meet the required standards may be rejected by the municipality.

Belgium Passport Photo Size

The official Belgian passport photograph size is 35 × 45 mm, with 35 mm width and 45 mm height.

• Width: 35 mm
• Height: 45 mm
• Size in centimetres: 3.5 × 4.5 cm
• Orientation: Portrait
• Approximate size at 300 DPI: 413 × 531 pixels
• Approximate size at 600 DPI: 827 × 1063 pixels

Belgium Passport Photo Face Size

The face must measure between 31 mm and 36 mm from the chin to the crown of the head.

This means the face occupies approximately 70% to 80% of the photograph height.

This is an important Belgian passport photo requirement and should not be confused with the overall 35 × 45 mm photograph dimensions.

Belgium Passport Photo Background

The background should be light and uniform. There should be no shadows, colour gradients or distracting elements.

A white background is commonly used, but the Belgian ICAO guidance does not require the background to be pure white in every case.

• Use a light, uniform background.
• Avoid patterns.
• Avoid objects behind the applicant.
• Avoid other people in the background.
• Avoid shadows behind the head.
• Avoid visible colour gradients.

Belgium Passport Photo Pose

The applicant should face the camera directly with the head and shoulders straight.

• Look directly into the camera.
• Keep the head straight.
• Keep the shoulders straight.
• Keep the face centred.
• Do not turn the head sideways.
• Do not tilt the head.

Belgium Passport Photo Facial Expression

Belgium requires a neutral facial expression. The mouth should be closed and the applicant should not smile.

Avoid exaggerated expressions that could interfere with identification.

Belgium Passport Photo Face Visibility

The face should be completely and clearly visible. The forehead, chin and the area around the ears should be visible.

Hair should not obscure important facial features.

Eyes in a Belgium Passport Photo

Both eyes must be clearly visible and the applicant should look directly into the camera.

• Eyes should be open.
• Look directly at the camera.
• Eyes should be clearly visible.
• Hair should not cover the eyes.
• Glasses frames should not cover the eyes.

Glasses in a Belgium Passport Photo

Belgium's official guidance places particular emphasis on the visibility of the eyes.

• No reflections on the lenses.
• No tinted lenses.
• Frames should not be excessively large.
• Frames should not sit directly across the eyes.
• The eyes must remain clearly visible.

The Belgian government recommends removing glasses for the photograph to avoid potential problems, even if the applicant normally wears glasses.

Belgium Passport Photo Head Coverings

The face must remain completely visible. Any permitted religious head covering should not obscure the forehead, chin, eyes or other identifying facial features.

Belgium Passport Photo Lighting

The photograph must be properly illuminated and should reproduce the applicant's natural appearance.

• Avoid shadows across the face.
• Avoid shadows around the ears and hair.
• Avoid reflections from glasses.
• Avoid bright spots.
• Avoid excessive contrast.
• Use natural-looking skin tones.

Belgium Passport Photo Quality

The photograph should be recent, sharp, clear and undamaged.

Belgium's official ICAO guidance states that the photograph should be no more than 6 months old, in colour, natural in appearance, sharp and unedited.

• Maximum 6 months old.
• Colour photograph.
• Sharp and clear.
• Natural appearance.
• No digital retouching.
• No visible damage.
• No photocopies.
• Printed on high-quality smooth photo paper.

Belgium Visa Photo Requirements

Belgium visa applications are subject to the requirements of the Belgian Immigration Office and the relevant Belgian embassy or consulate. For Schengen visa applications, biometric photograph requirements generally apply.

Belgium Visa Photo Size

The commonly used biometric photograph size for a Belgium Schengen visa is 35 × 45 mm.

• Width: 35 mm
• Height: 45 mm
• Size in centimetres: 3.5 × 4.5 cm
• Orientation: Portrait
• Approximate size at 300 DPI: 413 × 531 pixels

Belgium Visa Photo Background

Use a plain, light-coloured background without patterns or distracting objects.

The background should be evenly illuminated without shadows or strong colour variations.

Belgium Visa Photo Colour

Use a recent colour photograph with natural skin tones.

Avoid filters, artificial colour effects and excessive digital editing.

Belgium Visa Photo Pose

The applicant should face the camera directly in a full-frontal position.

• Look directly at the camera.
• Keep the head straight.
• Keep the face centred.
• Keep the eyes clearly visible.
• Avoid tilting the head.
• Avoid turning the face sideways.

Belgium Visa Photo Facial Expression

Use a neutral facial expression with the mouth closed.

Avoid smiling with visible teeth or exaggerated facial expressions.

Belgium Visa Photo Glasses

Glasses should not obscure the eyes or create reflections.

Removing glasses is recommended where possible to avoid glare, reflections and problems with eye visibility.

Belgium Visa Photo Head Coverings

Religious head coverings may be permitted where applicable, provided that the applicant's facial features remain clearly visible.

Belgium Visa Photo Quality

The photograph should be recent, sharp, clear and suitable for biometric identification.

• No blurring.
• No pixelation.
• No excessive retouching.
• No filters.
• No visible damage.
• Natural skin tones.

Belgium Passport Photo vs Visa Photo

Belgium passport and visa photographs are similar in many respects, but the application process and applicable authority can differ.

Common Belgium Passport & Visa Photo Mistakes

Avoid these common mistakes when preparing a Belgium passport or visa photograph:

• Using the wrong photograph dimensions
• Using an incorrect face size
• Using a photograph older than 6 months
• Smiling or showing teeth
• Keeping the mouth open
• Tilting the head
• Turning the head sideways
• Looking away from the camera
• Allowing hair to cover the eyes
• Using glasses with reflections
• Using tinted glasses
• Using a frame that obscures the eyes
• Using a dark or uneven background
• Having shadows around the face or ears
• Using unnatural skin tones
• Using a blurry or pixelated photograph
• Using a photocopy
• Digitally retouching the photograph
• Using beauty filters

How to Take a Belgium Passport or Visa Photo

1. Use a light, uniform background.
2. Stand directly in front of the camera.
3. Keep your head and shoulders straight.
4. Look directly into the camera.
5. Keep your face centred.
6. Keep your forehead, chin and area around the ears visible.
7. Keep both eyes clearly visible.
8. Keep your mouth closed.
9. Maintain a neutral facial expression.
10. Do not smile.
11. Remove glasses if they cause reflections or obscure your eyes.
12. Use even lighting without shadows.
13. Make sure the photograph has natural skin tones.
14. Do not use filters or digital retouching.
15. For a Belgian passport, use a 35 × 45 mm photograph with a face height of 31–36 mm.
16. For a Belgium visa, follow the current biometric photograph requirements of the Belgian visa application.

Belgium Passport & Visa Photo FAQs

What size is a Belgium passport photo?

The official Belgian passport photograph size is 35 × 45 mm.

What is the Belgium passport photo face size?

The face must measure between 31 mm and 36 mm from the chin to the crown of the head.

What is the Belgium passport photo size in pixels?

At 300 DPI, a 35 × 45 mm photograph is approximately 413 × 531 pixels.

How old can a Belgium passport photo be?

The Belgian ICAO photograph requirements specify that the photograph should be no more than 6 months old.

What background is required for a Belgium passport photo?

The background should be light and uniform, without shadows or colour gradients.

Can I smile in a Belgium passport photo?

No. Belgium's official guidance requires a neutral facial expression, with the mouth closed and no smiling.

Can I wear glasses in a Belgium passport photo?

Glasses are permitted only if the eyes remain perfectly visible and there are no reflections or tinted lenses. Belgium recommends removing glasses to avoid difficulties.

Can I wear a head covering in a Belgium passport photo?

Any permitted head covering should not obscure the applicant's facial features. The face must remain clearly visible.

What is the Belgium visa photo size?

A 35 × 45 mm portrait photograph is commonly used for Belgium Schengen visa applications. Applicants should verify the current requirements of the relevant Belgian visa application centre or embassy.

Can I use the same photo for a Belgium passport and visa?

The photograph dimensions are commonly 35 × 45 mm for both, but the applications are handled under different processes. The Belgian passport has specific ICAO requirements, including the 31–36 mm face-height requirement.

Can I edit my Belgium passport or visa photo?

No excessive digital editing should be used. The Belgian passport requirements specifically call for a natural, unedited photograph.

Official Belgium Passport & Visa Information

Passport and visa requirements can change. Always verify the latest requirements with the Belgian Government, FPS Foreign Affairs, Belgian Immigration Office or the relevant Belgian embassy or consulate before submitting your photograph.

• Belgian Government – Passport Photo Quality Requirements
• Belgian Government – Visa Information
• Belgian FPS Foreign Affairs