European Union Blue card photo requirements
The 35 × 45 mm photo rules set by EUR-Lex, Publications Office of the European Union for the European Union Blue card, with the official wording and sources.
Quick answer
What size is the European Union Blue card photo?
The EU Blue Card is a residence permit card, so its photo follows the uniform EU residence permit format and ICAO standards. Where a print is asked for it is normally 35 x 45 mm (1.38 x 1.77 in); Austria, for example, wants one taken within the last 6 months. Many authorities skip prints altogether: the Dutch IND takes the photo at its desk, German offices accept only digital photos, and France asks for an e-photo code.
The EU Blue Card is a combined work and residence permit for highly qualified workers from outside the EU. The immigration authority of the member state where you will work issues it under Directive (EU) 2021/1883, which applies in 25 of the 27 member states; Denmark and Ireland do not take part. The Directive requires the card to use the uniform residence permit format of Council Regulation (EC) No 1030/2002, with the words EU Blue Card entered as the type of permit.
That format decides what kind of photo you need. As amended, the Regulation makes the permit a stand-alone ID-1 card drawing on ICAO Document 9303, with your photograph laser-engraved into the card and secured by a diffractive security feature, and a chip holding your facial image and two fingerprints. Member states take the photograph from the applicant or at the time of application, following their national practice, to technical specifications based on ICAO standards and on those for EU passports.
So the practical rules depend on the country that issues your card. Austria asks for a 45 x 35 mm photo no more than six months old, the Netherlands takes your picture at an IND desk, Germany accepts only digitally transmitted or on-site photos for its electronic residence permit, and France asks for the code of an e-photo from an approved photographer or booth.
European Union Blue card photo size and specifications
The requirements as published by EUR-Lex, Publications Office of the European Union:[1]
| Print size | 35 x 45 mm (1.38 x 1.77 in) where a print is required, for example in Austria |
|---|---|
| Digital size | No EU-wide figure; many immigration offices capture the photo digitally on site |
| Head height | Set nationally; ICAO guidance: the face fills 70 to 80% of the photo |
| Background | Plain and light-coloured under ICAO guidance; the issuing authority sets the exact colour |
| Photo age | Austria: taken six months ago or less |
| Pixels when printed | 413 × 531 px at 300 dpi · 827 × 1063 px at 600 dpi (calculated) |
Key requirements
- It is a residence permit card
Directive (EU) 2021/1883 says the EU Blue Card is issued by the competent national authority in the uniform format of Regulation (EC) No 1030/2002. Your photo therefore ends up engraved on a residence permit card, not stuck into a visa or a passport.
- Facial image and fingerprints on a chip
The residence permit format includes a chip storing your facial image and two fingerprints. The photograph can be one you provide or one taken when you apply, and the procedure follows the national practice of the issuing country.
- Expect a photo at the office
Many authorities capture the image themselves. The Dutch IND takes the passport photo, fingerprints and signature at its desk, and Berlin's immigration office offers a digital photo at a self-service terminal. Since 1 May 2025, German offices no longer accept paper photos for the electronic residence permit as a rule.
- Prints where they are still used
Austria asks for a photo measuring 45 x 35 mm, taken within the last six months, with the application. When a Dutch embassy handles the first step abroad, it scans a passport photo that must meet the requirements for Dutch passports.
- France uses an e-photo code
In France you apply for the talent residence card marked carte bleue européenne online through the ANEF service and enter the code of an e-photo, printed on the photo sheet by an approved photographer or photo booth.
- Passport-grade standard
The Regulation ties the technical rules for capturing your photo to ICAO standards and to the specifications for passports issued by EU member states, so a photo that meets your issuing country's passport rules is the safest choice.
Do's and don'ts
Do
- Check the photo rules of the immigration authority that will issue your card.
- In the Netherlands, book an IND desk appointment soon after arrival for photo and fingerprints.
- In France, get an e-photo from an approved photographer or booth before starting the ANEF application.
- In Austria, include a 45 x 35 mm photo taken within the last six months.
- Bring your valid passport to the biometrics appointment.
Don't
- Do not bring paper photos to a German immigration office.
- Do not reuse an old photo; Austria accepts none older than six months.
- Do not send a photo that misses the Dutch passport standard; the IND says it causes delays.
- Do not apply for an EU Blue Card in Denmark or Ireland; neither issues it.
Sample photos
How a European Union Blue card photo should look, and the mistakes that most often get photos rejected. Each example is drawn to this document's 35 × 45 mm, head height and background colour.
Illustrations, not real photos. The official rules above always take priority; some documents do not allow glasses at all.
Glasses
There is no separate EU rule on glasses for the Blue Card. The residence permit Regulation points to ICAO standards and to the passport specifications, and the ICAO photograph guidance allows glasses only if your eyes show clearly, with no flash reflection, no tinted lenses and no frame covering the eyes.
In practice the issuing office applies its national passport rules. The IND, for example, says the photo must meet the requirements for Dutch passports, so check the passport photo rules of the country issuing your card, or take your glasses off when the office takes your picture.
Printed and digital photos
The card itself always holds a digital facial image, but how it is captured varies. In the Netherlands the IND takes your photo at the desk; if your process starts abroad, the Dutch embassy scans a printed passport photo when you take the civic integration exam or collect your entry visa. In Germany, the Blue Card is normally issued as an electronic residence permit card, and since 1 May 2025 photos for it must reach the office electronically from a photographer or be taken on site; self-made prints cannot be used, and Berlin offers a self-service terminal.
France works with an e-photo code from an approved photographer or booth, entered in the online application. Austria still asks for a 45 x 35 mm photo with the application. Where a print is accepted, a digital photo can be cropped to 35 x 45 mm and printed on a 4 x 6 inch sheet at a photo counter.
Where to submit the photo
The application goes to the immigration authority of the member state where you will work, made by you or by your employer depending on the country. In Austria you can apply at an Austrian embassy or consulate abroad, your employer can apply to the residence authority in Austria, or you can apply there yourself once you are legally in the country. In the Netherlands a recognised sponsor applies to the IND for you.
Biometrics are taken in person. The IND asks you to visit an IND desk with your passport soon after arrival, and it does not take new biometrics if yours were taken at an IND desk or Dutch embassy less than six months earlier. Berlin's immigration office issues the electronic card four to six weeks after the appointment.
How to get your European Union Blue card photo
- Check the official requirements. Read the official specification for the European Union Blue card: 35 × 45 mm print, plain and light-coloured under ICAO guidance background. Check the rules on pose, expression, glasses and headwear below.
- Take the photo. Follow the key requirements: it is a residence permit card; facial image and fingerprints on a chip; expect a photo at the office; prints where they are still used.
- Prepare a print or digital file. The card itself always holds a digital facial image, but how it is captured varies.
- Submit the photo with your application. The application goes to the immigration authority of the member state where you will work, made by you or by your employer depending on the country.
European Union Blue card photo FAQ
Where a print is required it is 35 x 45 mm (1.38 x 1.77 in); Austria, for example, asks for a 45 x 35 mm photo taken within the last six months. Many countries do not take prints at all and capture the photo at the immigration office or receive it electronically.
Often, yes. The Dutch IND takes your photo, fingerprints and signature at an IND desk. Berlin's immigration office has a self-service terminal for digital photos, and German offices no longer accept paper photos for the electronic residence permit. EU law allows the photo to be provided by you or taken when you apply.
The standard is the same. Regulation (EC) No 1030/2002, as amended, says the technical specifications for capturing the photo follow ICAO standards and the specifications for EU member states' passports. The IND, for example, requires the photo to meet the Dutch passport requirements.
25 of the 27 EU member states. Denmark and Ireland do not take part in Directive (EU) 2021/1883 and do not issue the EU Blue Card. Each participating country's immigration authority issues the card and sets the practical photo rules.
The uniform residence permit format includes a chip that stores your facial image and two fingerprints. EU law says these biometrics may be used only to check that the card is genuine and that you are its holder.
It depends on the country. Austria accepts applications at its embassies and consulates, with a 45 x 35 mm photo taken within six months. For the Netherlands, the Dutch embassy scans a passport photo meeting Dutch passport requirements and takes your fingerprints, and the IND reuses those biometrics if they are less than six months old.
Related photo specifications
Other European Union documents
- Passport photo 35 × 45 mm
- EU driving licence photo 35 × 45 mm
- EU residence permit photo 35 × 45 mm
Also 35 × 45 mm
- Afghanistan visa photo 35 × 45 mm
- Algeria passport photo 35 × 45 mm
- Algeria visa photo 35 × 45 mm
- Algeria ID card photo 35 × 45 mm
- Algeria residence permit photo 35 × 45 mm
- Algeria work permit photo 35 × 45 mm
- Andorra passport photo 35 × 45 mm
- Anguilla passport photo 35 × 45 mm
- Antigua and Barbuda passport photo 35 × 45 mm
- Armenia visa photo 35 × 45 mm
- All European Union photo specifications
- Other documents: photo rules by country
- Every document that uses a 35 × 45 mm photo
- Photo specifications in International
Official sources
- EUR-Lex, Publications Office of the European Union. Directive (EU) 2021/1883 (EU Blue Card Directive) eur-lex.europa.eu. Checked 1 November 2026.
- EUR-Lex, Publications Office of the European Union. Council Regulation (EC) No 380/2008 amending Regulation (EC) No 1030/2002 (biometrics in residence permits) eur-lex.europa.eu. Checked 1 November 2026.
- EUR-Lex, Publications Office of the European Union. Regulation (EU) 2017/1954 amending Regulation (EC) No 1030/2002 (uniform residence permit format) eur-lex.europa.eu. Checked 1 November 2026.
- European Commission, Migration and Home Affairs. EU Blue Card (EU Immigration Portal) home-affairs.ec.europa.eu. Checked 1 November 2026.
- European Commission, Migration and Home Affairs. ICAO photograph guidelines home-affairs.ec.europa.eu. Checked 1 November 2026.
- Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND), Netherlands. Application for residence as holder of the EU Blue Card (form 7513) ind.nl. Checked 1 November 2026.
- Landesamt für Einwanderung Berlin, ServicePortal Berlin. Blaue Karte EU beantragen service.berlin.de. Checked 1 November 2026.
- City of Stuttgart. Ab 1. Mai Fotos für Ausweisdokumente und elektronischen Aufenthaltstitel nur noch digital stuttgart.de. Checked 1 November 2026.
- Service-Public.fr (French government). Carte talent : carte de séjour pluriannuelle d'un étranger en France service-public.gouv.fr. Checked 1 November 2026.
- Austrian Federal Government (migration.gv.at). EU Blue Card migration.gv.at. Checked 1 November 2026.
- European Commission. EU Blue Card, attracting highly qualified talent home-affairs.ec.europa.eu. Checked 1 November 2026.
- EUR-Lex (European Union). Directive (EU) 2021/1883 (EU Blue Card Directive) eur-lex.europa.eu. Checked 1 November 2026.
- Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND), Netherlands. Biometrics appointment: photo, signature and fingerprints ind.nl. Checked 1 November 2026.
- City of Stuttgart. Digital photo for electronic residence permits stuttgart.de. Checked 1 November 2026.
- Service-Public.fr (French government). Residence card (e-photo code) service-public.gouv.fr. Checked 1 November 2026.
Requirements can change, so always confirm with EUR-Lex, Publications Office of the European Union before you apply. WorldPhotoSpecs is independent and not affiliated with any government.
Cite this page
"European Union Blue card photo". WorldPhotoSpecs. Last updated 4 November 2026. https://worldphotospecs.org/european-union/blue-card-photo