Belgium passport photo rules from FPS Foreign Affairs and IBZ
Belgian passport photos are governed by FPS Foreign Affairs, which issues passports, in coordination with FPS Interior (IBZ), which oversees the eID and Kids-ID. Both authorities apply the same Fotomatrix standard built on ICAO Doc 9303, the international specification for machine-readable travel documents. The print measures 35 by 45 millimetres and must be in colour, sharp, recent, and free of any retouching.
The same 35 by 45 millimetre photograph is used for the Belgian passport, the electronic identity card, the Kids-ID, and Schengen visa applications, so a single compliant image covers every standard civil document. Many Belgian municipalities now capture the photograph directly at the counter through Live Enrollment, while consulates abroad and applicants who prefer a physical submission continue to provide prints that meet the Fotomatrix.
Municipal counters and consular staff check each photograph against the published criteria before the application is accepted. A photograph that fails on framing, expression, background uniformity, eyewear glare, or any other Fotomatrix point is refused at intake, which delays the passport file and forces the applicant to start the photographic step again.
Belgian Fotomatrix rules for the subject
FPS Foreign Affairs and FPS Interior apply the same Fotomatrix to passports, the eID, the Kids-ID, and Schengen visas. Every applicant must meet these subject-side rules.
Expression & pose
- Neutral expressionThe face must carry a neutral expression. Smiling, frowning, grimacing, raised eyebrows, and squinting are not accepted.
- Mouth closedThe mouth must be closed and teeth must not be visible.
- Eyes open and forwardBoth eyes must be fully open, clearly visible, and looking directly into the lens. Half-closed or blinking eyes are rejected.
- Head straightThe head must face the camera directly with no yaw, pitch, or roll. Angled or portrait-style poses are not accepted.
- Shoulders squaredShoulders must be level and squared to the camera. The chin, neck, and upper shoulders must be visible in the frame.
Eyewear & lenses
- Everyday glassesPrescription glasses are permitted only if both eyes remain clearly visible. Frames must not cover any part of the eyes, and thick or heavy frames are not accepted.
- Tinted lensesTinted lenses and sunglasses are prohibited. Lenses must be fully transparent.
- Glare and reflectionsGlasses must show zero glare or reflection. If reflections cannot be avoided, the applicant must remove the glasses for the photo.
- Contact lensesClear prescription contact lenses are permitted. Colored or patterned cosmetic lenses that alter natural eye appearance are not accepted.
Hair
- Facial visibilityHair must not cover the eyes, eyebrows, or the outline of the face. The facial features must remain clearly visible.
- Bangs and fringesBangs are permitted only if they sit above the eyebrows and cast no shadow over the eyes.
- WigsWigs are permitted if worn habitually and the photo reflects the applicant’s everyday appearance.
- Hair accessoriesHeadbands, sweatbands, large clips, bows, and similar accessories are not accepted.
Headwear
- General ruleHeadwear is prohibited except for documented religious or medical reasons.
- Religious exceptionWhere a religious exception applies, the full face must be visible from chin to forehead and from cheek to cheek, and the headwear must cast no shadow on the face.
- Face coveringsNiqabs, burqas, and any covering that obscures any part of the face are not accepted, even under the religious exception.
- Medical exceptionA signed doctor’s statement may be requested if the reason for a medical exception is in doubt.
Jewelry & accessories
- Earrings and necklacesEarrings and necklaces are permitted only if they are small, do not obstruct facial features, do not cast shadows, and do not cause glare.
- Facial piercingsHabitually worn facial piercings are permitted provided they do not obscure features or produce reflections.
- Headphones and earpiecesHeadphones, earbuds, and other earpieces are not accepted in the photo.
Cosmetics
- Natural makeupMakeup must look natural. Heavy contouring or anything that structurally alters biometric mapping of the face is not accepted.
- Facial tattoosPermanent facial tattoos are permitted and should not be concealed if they are part of the applicant’s everyday appearance.
Clothing
- Contrast with backgroundClothing should contrast with the background so the outline of the head and shoulders is clear. White clothing against a light background is not accepted.
- UniformsUniforms are discouraged under the ICAO guidance Belgium applies. Ordinary everyday clothing is expected.
- Religious dressReligious dress is permitted provided the full face remains visible and all other Fotomatrix rules are met.
Photo quality issues to avoid
- Shadows on the faceShadows cast across the face by hats, hair, or accessories will cause rejection. The face must be evenly lit with no dark patches.
- Red-eyeRed-eye is not accepted. Software red-eye correction is also prohibited, so the photo must be captured without it.
- Motion blurThe subject must remain still so facial details are sharp. Motion blur from the applicant moving during capture will cause rejection.
Dimensions, resolution & background.
Head position & camera distance.
- Head height, measured from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head, must be between 33 mm and 36 mm (roughly 73–81% of the photo height).
- Eyes must sit between 21 mm and 25 mm from the bottom of the photo.
- The head must be centered horizontally in the frame, with a small symmetrical margin on each side.
- Shoulders must be square to the camera and both visible. No three-quarter angles or rotated torso.
- The full face, from chin to crown, must be inside the frame with proper top margin.
How recent the photo must be.
Your passport photo must have been taken within the last six months. A new photo is required sooner whenever your appearance has changed in a way that makes the old photo no longer recognizable.
You need a new photo if you’ve had…
- Facial surgery or a major change to facial structure
- A significant gain or loss of weight that visibly changes your face
- Large facial tattoos or piercings added or removed
- A gender transition that has changed your appearance
You do not need a new photo just because of…
- A new hair color
- Growing or removing a beard or moustache
- Ordinary, minor aging
- A new hairstyle that still leaves the face fully visible
Photos for infants and young children.
The Fotomatrix relaxes specific subject-side rules for children under the age of six. All other rules continue to apply.
Children under 6 (ages 0 to 5)
For applicants who have not yet reached their sixth birthday, FPS Interior waives the pose and expression rules. The remaining Fotomatrix rules still apply.
- Expression relaxedA neutral expression is not required. A smile, an open mouth, or other natural infant expressions are accepted.
- Gaze relaxedThe child does not need to look directly into the lens.
- Head and shoulders relaxedEyes on a horizontal line, head perfectly straight, and squared shoulders are not required.
- Eyes closed acceptableFor very young babies, sleeping or closed eyes are acceptable.
- Alone in the frameNo other persons, hands, or toys may appear in the photo. Any support used to position the infant must not be visible.
- Positioning optionsAn infant may be photographed lying on a plain light-colored blanket or seated in a car seat draped with plain cloth.
Country-specific details to know.
A few Belgium-specific points sit outside the standard rule groups.
Live Enrollment at the commune
Most Belgian municipalities now capture the biometric photo on-site for applicants aged six and over through Live Enrollment. Submitted prints remain legally acceptable and are still required at many consulates abroad, including Singapore, the United Kingdom, Finland, Norway, and Canada.
Two prints, name on the back
Belgian applications typically require two identical prints. For children’s passport applications, the child’s name should be written on the back of each photo.
Six-month recency
Photos must be no more than six months old. A new photo is required sooner if the applicant’s appearance has changed materially, for example through significant weight change, facial trauma, gender transition, or a beard being grown or removed.
Medical waiver
Where a physical or medical condition makes full compliance impossible, FPS Interior accepts a signed doctor’s statement supporting a waiver from specific Fotomatrix criteria.
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Print & paper standards.
If you submit a printed photo with a paper application, the print itself has to meet acceptance-facility standards in addition to the rules above.
- Smooth high-quality photographic paper (matte or glossy finish).
- No visible pixels, banding, dithering, or printer artifacts.
- The print must be undamaged: no creases, holes, smudges, staples, or pinholes.
- 2 identical prints are required.