The Swiss Identitätskarte (identity card) uses the same photo specifications as the Swiss passport for the physical card — 35×45mm, white background, no smile. But if you're applying online via schweizerpass.ch, the digital upload format is different: 1440×1920 pixels, a non-standard size not used by any other European identity document. Know which path you're taking before you get your photos.
Swiss Identitätskarte Photo Specifications (35×45mm)
For the physical card (standard photo print)
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Size | 35×45mm |
| Background | White |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed |
| Glasses | Permitted (no tinted lenses, no glare) |
| Head coverings | Religious reasons only |
| Photo age | Taken within 6 months |
For digital upload on schweizerpass.ch
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Pixel dimensions | 1440×1920 pixels |
| Format | JPEG |
| File size | Under 9MB |
| Background | White |
| Same biometric rules | Apply — same framing, expression, etc. |
The physical specifications are identical to the Swiss passport. The digital upload size — 1440×1920px — is roughly equivalent to a 35×45mm photo at around 1040 dpi, which is unusually high. It's designed to accommodate the chip-printing process for Swiss documents without any upscaling.
Get a compliant passport photo online
Why Does the Swiss ID Card Have Two Photo Formats?
Switzerland uses a centralised online application portal (schweizerpass.ch) where residents can initiate applications for passports and identity cards. This portal accepts digital photo uploads, which are then used to produce the final physical card.
The 1440×1920px requirement is specific to this portal. It doesn't mean your physical photo has to be this resolution — if you bring a printed 35×45mm photo to your cantonal office appointment, it simply gets scanned. The unusual pixel count only matters if you're uploading digitally.
In practice: if you're unsure, get a standard 35×45mm print at a Swiss certified photomatic and bring it to your appointment. That's the path of least friction.
Applying for a Swiss Identitätskarte
Switzerland processes identity documents at the cantonal passport office (Passamt / Office des passeports / Ufficio passaporti — depending on whether you're in a German, French, or Italian-speaking canton). Unlike Germany or France, which have national centralised processing, Switzerland delegates to cantonal authorities.
The process
- Book an appointment at your cantonal Passamt (most offer online booking).
- Complete the pre-application on schweizerpass.ch if your canton supports online submission. Upload your digital photo (1440×1920px) or note that you'll bring a print.
- Attend the cantonal office with your documents: current identity card or passport, proof of Swiss citizenship (Schweizer Bürgerrecht/droit de cité suisse), and a biometric photo if bringing a print.
- Pay the fee: CHF 70 for adults, reduced fees for under-18.
- Processing takes approximately 10 working days.
Validity: 10 years for adults (18 and over). 5 years for those under 18.
Canton-by-Canton Variation in Swiss ID Card Applications
Switzerland has 26 cantons, and while the federal standard for photos is consistent, the application process varies by canton:
- Some cantons fully support digital pre-application via schweizerpass.ch. Others still require in-person form completion.
- Appointment wait times vary. Urban cantons (Zurich, Geneva, Basel-Stadt) often have 2–4 week waits. Rural cantons may have same-week availability.
- Some cantonal offices take their own biometric photo on-site (like a biometric booth). If yours does, you don't need to bring a photo at all — they'll capture it at the appointment. Check your specific cantonal Passamt website.
When a cantonal office captures the photo itself, it's taken with a standardised professional setup that meets the Swiss biometric standard automatically. Confirm your canton's procedure before getting photos taken.
Multilingual Switzerland, One Federal Photo Standard
Switzerland has four official languages (German, French, Italian, Romansh), and the Identitätskarte is called different things depending on the region:
- German: Identitätskarte
- French: Carte d'identité
- Italian: Carta d'identità
- Romansh: Carta d'identitad
Same document, same photo requirements, different language on the card. If you're searching in French and finding conflicting information from French sources — remember: Swiss French government documents use the Swiss federal standard, which is the 35×45mm white background spec, not necessarily the ANTS system used in France.
Swiss Identitätskarte vs Passport: Photo Comparison
The Identitätskarte is valid for most EU/Schengen travel (Switzerland is not an EU member but has bilateral agreements). The Swiss passport is needed for travel outside the Schengen area.
Photo requirements are identical. If you're renewing both, book consecutive appointments at your cantonal office and bring two compliant photos — or get the digital upload done once via schweizerpass.ch, which links the photo to both applications.
Common Swiss Identity Card Photo Mistakes
Bringing a 35×45mm digital file at 72 dpi. The schweizerpass.ch portal requires 1440×1920px. A standard digital file exported from a photomaton at 72 dpi won't meet the pixel count. Use a service that exports at the required resolution, or use the print and let the cantonal office scan it.
Forgetting that some cantons take photos on-site. If your canton does this, arriving with printed photos isn't necessary. But bringing one doesn't hurt — you can always keep unused prints for future applications.
Non-white background. The Swiss standard is white. Light grey, off-white, or coloured backgrounds are rejected. Ensure your photo has a clean white backdrop.
The passportsize-photo.online checker validates Swiss biometric standards including the physical 35×45mm spec. For digital format questions and the schweizerpass.ch upload, check our detailed format documentation.
Expression and Appearance Rules for Swiss ID Card Photos
- Neutral expression — mouth closed, no smile, no frown
- Eyes open — both eyes fully visible, looking directly at the camera
- Glasses permitted — clear prescription lenses allowed; no tinted, coloured, or photochromic lenses; no visible reflections or glare
- Hair away from face — forehead and both eyes clearly visible
- Head coverings — permitted for religious reasons only; full face from chin to forehead must remain visible
- Clean, even lighting — no shadows on face or background
- Recent photo — taken within the last 6 months
Swiss Document Photo Comparison: ID Card vs Passport vs DL
| Document | Size | Background | Glasses | Smile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Identitätskarte | 35×45mm | White | Allowed | Not allowed |
| Swiss Passport | 35×45mm | White | Allowed | Not allowed |
| Führerausweis | 35×45mm | White | Allowed | Not allowed |
All three Swiss identity documents share the same specification. One photo session covers every Swiss document application. The schweizerpass.ch digital upload (1440×1920px) is an additional format for online applications only — the physical 35×45mm print specification is the same across all three documents. Switzerland permits glasses in all identity document photos, unlike many EU countries that have banned them.
Quick Checklist for Swiss Identity Card Photos (Print)
- Size: 35×45mm
- Background: white
- Expression: neutral, mouth closed
- Glasses: clear lenses only, no glare
- Photo taken within 6 months
- Cantonal Passamt appointment booked
Quick Checklist for Swiss ID Card Digital Upload
- Dimensions: 1440×1920 pixels
- File format: JPEG, under 9MB
- Background: white
- Same biometric rules as print
- schweizerpass.ch account ready
Also see: Switzerland passport photo size | Switzerland passport photo background | Full Switzerland guide
