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The Swiss identity card (Identitätskarte / carte d'identité) uses the same photo as the Swiss passport, defined by fedpol's photo template: 35 x 45 mm with the head 29–34 mm from chin to crown — a smaller band than the Schengen norm — on a uniform neutral background.
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Not sure whether your photo will pass? See Why ID photos get rejected.
Swiss ID Card Photo (Identitätskarte) requirements
| Photo size | 35 x 45 mm (1.38 x 1.77 in) |
|---|---|
| Pixels (print) | 413 x 531 px at 300 DPI · 827 x 1063 px at 600 DPI |
| Head height | 29–34 mm from chin to crown — official published figure. |
| Background | Not published for this document — ICAO guidance is a plain, light-colored background with no shadows or objects. |
| Glasses | Allowed if there is no glare, no tint, and the frames do not cover the eyes. |
| Editing | Keep edits minimal; most authorities reject retouched photos even where no explicit rule is published. |
| Expression | Neutral expression, mouth closed, both eyes open, facing the camera straight on. |
| Official source | Official photo requirements ↗ |
Good to know
Switzerland specifies a 29–34 mm head height rather than the 32–36 mm used across most of the Schengen area, so a photo cropped to the German or Schengen figure sits above the Swiss maximum.
fedpol asks for a uniform, neutral background without publishing a specific colour token, so a plain light grey is the safe choice; avoid patterns, shadows and gradients rather than chasing an exact shade.
Swiss applications are made in person at a cantonal passport office, where a photo is often taken on site. A print you bring must meet the same template.
How to make it in 3 steps
- Take or choose a photo. Stand in front of a plain light wall in even light with no shadows, camera at eye level about 2 m away, head and shoulders in frame with space around your head.
- Crop with the head guides. The maker opens preset to the 35 x 45 mm standard with the official 29–34 mm head range marked. Drag and zoom until the crown of your head and your chin sit on the guides, then run the built-in photo check.
- Download. Save the single photo (for online uploads) or the 4 x 6 in print sheet, and print it at any photo shop, pharmacy photo kiosk or at home for the price of a regular photo print.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a Swiss ID Card Photo (Identitätskarte)?
35 x 45 mm — 413 x 531 px at 300 DPI. The head must measure 29–34 mm from chin to the top of the head.
What background color does a Swiss ID Card Photo (Identitätskarte) need?
Not published for this document — ICAO guidance is a plain, light-colored background with no shadows or objects.
Can I take a Swiss ID Card Photo (Identitätskarte) at home with my phone?
Yes. Stand in front of a plain light wall in even daylight, have someone take a sharp, front-facing photo from about 2 m away, then crop it to the exact 35 x 45 mm standard with the free maker — the head guides show you the official head-height range.
Is this Swiss ID Card Photo (Identitätskarte) maker really free and private?
Yes — completely free, with no ads, no watermark and no signup. Unlike photo-booth apps and paid services, your photo is processed entirely in your browser and is never uploaded to any server.
Where can I print my Swiss ID Card Photo (Identitätskarte)?
Download the 4 x 6 in (10 x 15 cm) sheet and print it as an ordinary borderless 4 x 6 in (10 x 15 cm) photo at actual size (100%, no scaling) at a photo shop, a pharmacy photo kiosk, an online print service or on a home printer, then cut along the guide lines. You pay only for an ordinary photo print, not a photo-booth service fee. More detail: Printing passport photos in Switzerland.
Is the Swiss ID card photo the same as the Swiss passport photo?
Yes. One fedpol photo template covers both, at 35 x 45 mm with a 29–34 mm chin-to-crown head height.
What background does a Swiss ID photo need?
fedpol requires a uniform, neutral background rather than naming a colour. A plain light grey satisfies it; what matters is that it is even, with no pattern, gradient or shadow behind the head.