How should a Belgium visa photo look?
Belgium follows the 35×45 mm Schengen format with head height 31-36 mm, but the background rule stands out: not white, but light cream, light grey or very light blue. Passport applications use a studio print; for eID the photo is captured live at the municipal appointment, and a brought-in print is only a fallback.
The bodies that set the spec
The passport spec is published by FPS Foreign Affairs; for the eID each commune follows its own appointment routine. The photo must be submitted within six months of the capture date and must be an original print: photocopies are rejected.
Workflow after the shoot
Open the frame in PhotoID Studio and pick the Belgique/België preset; the app aligns the face, normalises the backdrop to a light cream or grey tone and exports 35×45 mm at 300 DPI. Two passport copies sit on 10×15 cm paper with one click, and customers who want an eID fallback can carry the same print.
Capture setup and direction
Seat the customer 1.5-2 m in front of a light cream, grey or pale-blue backdrop with shoulders parallel to the camera. Camera on a tripod, lens at eye level. Standard setup: a 50-85 mm portrait lens, f/8, a softbox at 45° with a reflector opposite. White balance must stay neutral: Belgium does not accept skin-tone drift. Cue: "chin slightly back, mouth closed, eyes fully open"; glasses are discouraged.
How Belgian counters reject prints
• A pure white backdrop (Belgium does not allow white). • A frame older than six months from the capture date. • A photocopy submitted; an original print is required. • Glasses glare or tinted lenses. • A smile, visible teeth, an open mouth. • Hair covering the eyes or the forehead line. • Off colour balance; yellowed or bluish skin tone.
Passport print plus eID fallback
Belgian passport applications need a studio print, while eID is captured live at the commune: yet many customers still want a fallback set. The PhotoID Studio Belgique preset locks the cream/grey backdrop, and re-exporting the same frame for a Schengen visa is a single click.
Frequently asked questions
Does Belgium accept a pure white backdrop?
No. Light cream, light grey or very light blue backdrops are accepted; pure white is rejected for the passport print.
Do I need to bring a print for the eID?
No. For eID the photo is captured during the commune appointment; a studio print is only a fallback option.
Is a photocopy acceptable?
No. Belgium requires an original photo print; photocopies and home printouts are refused.
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