Passport vs Visa vs ID Card Photos: What is the Difference?

Are All Biometric Photos the Same?

At first glance, passport photos, visa photos, and ID card photos look identical. They all follow the same ICAO biometric standard. However, there are subtle but important differences.

Passport Photos

The most standardized. All Schengen countries use 35x45mm format (except Finland at 36x47mm). Background is light gray or white depending on country.

Visa Photos

Schengen visa photos follow the exact same specifications as passport photos. The key difference is that visa photos are attached to the application form, not embedded in a document.

National ID Card Photos

Since EU Regulation 2019/1157, all new national ID cards must be biometric-compatible. Same 35x45mm size and ICAO standards. For children under 9, face coverage can be 50-80% instead of 70-80%.

Residence Permit Photos

For non-EU nationals living in the Schengen area. Same 35x45mm biometric standards.

The Bottom Line

If your photo meets Schengen passport standards, it will work for visas, ID cards, and residence permits too. EuPass generates photos that meet the strictest standard, so you are covered for any document type.