Netherlands passport photo size
A Dutch passport or ID card photo is 35 × 45 mm with the head 26–30 mm from chin to crown and 16–20 mm wide from ear to ear, on a plain light grey, light blue or white background. There is no online upload: export a print or a 4 × 6 in sheet at 400 ppi for glossy photo paper.
- Document
- Passport and ID card
- Photo size
- 35 × 45 mm
- Chin to crown
- 26–30 mm
- Background
- Light grey, light blue or white; plain, single colour, no gradient
- Photo age
- At most 6 months old when applying
- Print export
- 551 × 709 px at 400 ppi, 8 copies per 4 × 6 in sheet
From age 11; 19–30 mm up to age 10 (Fotomatrix 2020).
There is no online upload for passport and ID card applications: bring one print. The same criteria apply to Dutch visa photos.
Print on high-quality glossy photo paper at a minimum of 400 dpi; no copies, no edited photos, not damaged.
Place the crown and chin at the guide lines and the eyes in the band when one is shown. The oval is an approximate placement guide, not a face measurement or approval check.
This authority publishes no head height: keep the face centred with space above the head and the shoulders visible.
Dutch passport photo dimensions
The Fotomatrix 2020 sets the head height at 26–30 mm from age 11 (19–30 mm up to age 10) and the head width at 16–20 mm, inside a 35 × 45 mm frame. The photo is at most 6 months old when applying.
Printing at 400 dpi
Prints go on high-quality glossy photo paper at a minimum of 400 dpi, so the export here is 551 × 709 px rather than the usual 300 ppi, and the 4 × 6 in sheet is rendered at 400 ppi too. No copies, no edited photos, not damaged.
Pose and expression
A neutral gaze straight into the camera, mouth closed, eyes on a horizontal line, head straight and shoulders square. Long fringes are allowed only if the eyes and face stay fully visible; beards, wigs, make-up, piercings and earrings are fine, caps and hats are not. Children under 6 are exempt from the posture and expression rules.
Glasses and head coverings
Glasses are optional; if worn, the eyes stay fully visible behind fully transparent lenses with no reflections or shadows. Head coverings are allowed only for religious or philosophical reasons, or for hair loss from medical treatment, and must be plain, single-colour and contrast with the background. The same criteria apply to Dutch visa photos.
How to take a valid photo
The shared ICAO points first, then what this authority adds.
- Have someone else take the photo at eye level from a few steps away; most authorities reject selfies.
- Face the camera straight on with your head level, both eyes open, mouth closed and a neutral expression.
- Light the face evenly: no shadows on the face or the background, no flash reflections, no red-eye.
- Keep the photo as taken: no filters, retouching, background replacement or AI edits.
- Only you in the frame, nothing covering the face, hair away from the eyes, no uniform.
- Leave space around the head and shoulders so the crop can follow the guide.
- Glasses are optional: eyes fully visible, fully transparent lenses, no reflections or shadows.
- Head coverings only for religious or philosophical reasons or medical hair loss; plain, single-colour and contrasting with the background.
- Neutral gaze straight into the camera, mouth closed, eyes on a horizontal line, head not tilted, shoulders square.
- Long fringes only if the eyes and face stay fully visible; beards, wigs, make-up and earrings are allowed, caps and hats are not.
Official sources
Requirements checked on 27 October 2026 against the official pages below. The issuing authority makes the acceptance decision; nothing on this page certifies a photo.
To compare formats, see passport photo sizes by country.
Related free photo tools
- Free toolPassport photo size by countryCompare passport photo sizes and official application rules for 40 countries. Align a private head guide; export prints, 4 × 6 in sheets and upload files where the authority allows it.
- Free toolNew Zealand passport photo sizeNZ passport photos are 35 × 45 mm printed or 900 × 1200 to 4500 × 6000 px online, 250 KB to 5 MB, head at 80% of the height. Crop the upload or a print with a guide.
- Free toolNigeria passport photo sizeNigerian passport photos are 35 × 45 mm with the head 29–34 mm, uploaded to the portal as 600 × 800 px under 2 MB on a white background. Crop the upload or a print here.
- Free toolPakistan passport photo sizePakistani passport photos are 35 × 45 mm with the head 29–34 mm, professionally taken, uploaded to the DGI&P e-Services portal (JPG or PNG up to 350 KB). Crop the upload here.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a Dutch passport photo?
35 × 45 mm with the head 26–30 mm tall and 16–20 mm wide.
Why does the Dutch export use 400 ppi?
Because the Rijksoverheid asks for prints at a minimum of 400 dpi. The JPG is 551 × 709 px.
Can I upload a photo for a Dutch passport?
No. There is no online upload for passport and ID card applications; bring the print.
Can I wear glasses?
Yes, optionally, with fully transparent lenses and the eyes fully visible, no reflections or shadows.