Belgium ID Card Photo Requirements 2026: eID and Kids-ID 35x45 mm Rules, Uniform Light Background, and No Self-Printed Photos
Belgium eID and Kids-ID photo requirements from official consular guidance: exact 35x45 mm size, uniform light background, neutral expression, and why self-printed photos are refused.
Overview
Belgian consular posts use a passport-style photo for both the electronic identity card (eID) and the Kids-ID. The official consular checklist is more concrete than the general passport page: it spells out the print size, background rule, expression, and even the fact that a self-printed photo is not acceptable.
That makes Belgium eID photos relatively straightforward: use the same 35 × 45 mm geometry as the passport route, keep the background light and uniform, and supply a real photo print rather than a home-printed copy when the consular post asks for one.
Official Specifications
| Requirement | Value |
|---|---|
| Document | National ID |
| Size | 35 × 45 mm |
| Background | Light / neutral |
| Head height | 25–35 mm |
| Note | Belgian eID and Kids-ID applications use a recent 45 × 35 mm passport photo on a uniform light background. Belgian consular guidance also rejects self-printed photos. |
The Belgian consular eID checklist requires 1 passport photo with the following characteristics: 45 × 35 mm, uniform background and light colour, neutral expression and closed mouth, face looking straight into the camera, and an original passport photograph rather than a self-printed copy.
| Requirement | Belgium eID / Kids-ID rule |
|---|---|
| Print size | 45 × 35 mm |
| Background | Uniform and light colour |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed |
| Pose | Face straight into the camera |
| Photo format | Original passport photo, not self-printed |
Adults, Children, and Consular Applications
Belgian consular pages use the same photo specification for adults applying for an eID, children applying for a Kids-ID, and replacement/loss workflows where a new photo is requested. The practical difference is the application route, not the photo geometry.
- Adults and children above 6: typically appear in person and bring the passport photo to the appointment.
- Children under 6: some posts allow the request to be sent by courier/post with the photo attached.
- Loss or theft declarations: the consular post can still ask for the same style of passport photo.
Quality and Background Rules
Belgium’s eID instructions are strict about uniformity. The background should look clean and consistent, not patchy, patterned, or streaked by uneven light. Because self-printed photos are refused, the safest workflow is to export a correct file and then print it on proper photo paper.
Do not glue or damage the print
Belgian consular instructions ask applicants not to glue the photo onto the form and to avoid damaging it. A technically correct image can still become unusable if the print is bent, marked, or badly attached.
How to Make It with Passlens
- Select the Belgium National ID preset.
- Upload a straight, front-facing portrait with a neutral expression.
- Use Auto fit to stay inside the Belgian crop range.
- Keep the background uniform and light, then export a clean 35 × 45 mm image for real photo printing.
- Print the result as a proper photo print instead of a home-office paper copy.