Netherlands Passport Size Photo Glasses Rules: All Eyewear Banned

No — glasses of any kind are not permitted in Netherlands passport photos. The Rijksdienst voor Identiteitsgegevens (RvIG) bans all eyewear. This applies to paspoorten (passports), identiteitskaarten (ID cards), and Schengen visa applications processed through Dutch consulates.

Exact Glasses Rules for Dutch Passport Photos

All glasses are banned:

• Prescription glasses (bril) — not allowed, regardless of medical need
• Sunglasses (zonnebril) — not allowed
• Tinted lenses — not allowed
• Reading glasses (leesbril) — not allowed
• Blue-light blocking glasses — not allowed
• Photochromic (transition) lenses — not allowed, even if clear indoors
• Non-prescription fashion frames — not allowed

The only item permitted near your eyes is clear prescription contact lenses (contactlenzen).

Why Does the Netherlands Ban Glasses in Passport Photos?

The Dutch passport system uses facial recognition to match applicants against their biometric database. This system is also used at automated eGates at Schiphol Airport and other border crossings. Glasses interfere because:

• Frames obscure facial geometry. The bridge area between the eyes is a critical measurement point.
• Lenses create reflections. Even anti-glare coatings don't eliminate all reflections under studio lighting.
• Shadows from frames fall on the cheeks and under the eyes.
• eGate matching compares your passport photo to a live camera scan. Glasses in the photo but not at the gate reduce matching accuracy.

Medical Exemptions for Glasses in Dutch Passport Photos

Medical exemptions are extremely rare. For the vast majority of applicants, removing glasses for the photo session is the simplest solution. The photo takes only seconds.

Can You Wear Contact Lenses in Dutch Passport Photos?

Clear prescription contact lenses (contactlenzen) are fine. The rule targets glasses and tinted lenses.

What might get flagged: Coloured or cosmetic lenses (gekleurde contactlenzen) that noticeably change your eye colour.

Practical Tips for Glasses Wearers Getting Dutch Photos

Before the photo

• Remove glasses 5–10 minutes early. This allows the red marks on the bridge of your nose to fade.
• If you normally squint without glasses, practise keeping your eyes naturally open. The photo requires a neutral expression with both eyes clearly visible.
• If you use contact lenses, insert them before arriving.

During the photo

• Keep your eyes relaxed and open. Don't squint.
• If you can't see the camera clearly, ask the photographer to guide you.

After the photo

• Check the photo on screen before accepting. Verify no red marks from frames are visible.

Where to Get Glasses-Free Passport Photos in the Netherlands

Professional studios (fotostudio's). Studios near the gemeentehuis (town hall) specialise in passport photos (pasfoto's). Cost: €8–15. Ask for "pasfoto, zonder bril, witte achtergrond" (passport photo, no glasses, white background).

Photo booths (pasfotoautomaten). Automated booths at train stations, shopping centres, and near gemeente offices. Cost: €5–10. Remove glasses before entering. Check the preview.

Hema. Many Hema stores offer pasfoto services. Cost: €7–10. Staff understand passport requirements.

Kruidvat / Etos. Some drugstore chains offer passport photo services at select locations.

DIY at home. If taking your own photo:

• White background (Netherlands requires pure white)
• 35×45mm
• No glasses of any kind
• Neutral expression, mouth closed (smiling not allowed)
• Both eyes clearly visible

Dutch Identiteitskaart Photo Glasses Rules

The same no-glasses rule applies to the Dutch identiteitskaart (national ID card). A single glasses-free photo works for both paspoort and identiteitskaart.

Gemeente Process for Glasses-Free Dutch Passport Photos

In the Netherlands, you apply for your passport at the gemeente (municipality) where you're registered. When you arrive:

• Bring your photo already taken (most people do this) or use the gemeente's on-site photo service
• The staff will check your photo against requirements
• If glasses are visible, your photo will be rejected on the spot
• You'll need to leave, retake the photo, and return

To avoid this, ensure your photo is glasses-free before arriving at the gemeente.

Glasses Rules: Netherlands vs Other Countries

The Netherlands follows the global majority in banning all glasses. Among European countries, Germany, the UK, Italy, and Poland still permit prescription glasses conditionally.

Common Glasses Mistakes in Dutch Passport Photos

Keeping glasses on "because they're clear." Even perfectly clear prescription glasses are banned.

Wearing transition lenses. These often retain a subtle tint indoors. Remove them.

Digitally removing glasses. Photo manipulation is detectable.

Ignoring nose-bridge marks. Remove glasses well before the photo session.

Glasses Rules for Dutch Citizens Renewing Passports Abroad

If you're renewing your Dutch passport from abroad, the same no-glasses rule applies. Dutch embassies and consulates in London, Brussels, Berlin, New York, Jakarta, and Curaçao all enforce the ban.

In countries where glasses are allowed (UK, Germany, Canada), studios may assume glasses are fine. Specify: "Nederlands pasfoto, zonder bril, witte achtergrond, 35×45mm" or in English: "Dutch passport photo, no glasses, white background, 35×45mm."

Schiphol eGates and Why Glasses-Free Photos Matter

The Netherlands uses eGates (automated border control) at Schiphol and other airports. These use facial recognition to match your passport photo to your live face. Glasses-free photos produce the best matching accuracy at these gates.

Children's Dutch Passport Photos and Glasses Rules

The same no-glasses rule applies to children. Dutch passports for children under 18 are valid for 5 years. Adult passports are valid for 10 years.

Can You Wear Glasses at the Gemeente Passport Office?

The glasses ban applies only to your passport photo. You can wear glasses:

• At the gemeente during your appointment
• During the in-person identity verification
• At Schiphol eGates (the system captures your live face separately)
• In your supporting documents (identiteitskaart, rijbewijs, etc.)

Dutch Passport Photo Renewal and Glasses Policy Changes

If your current passport photo shows you without glasses and you now wear them, or vice versa, this is not a problem. However, your new photo must comply with the current no-glasses rule.

Dutch Rijbewijs vs Paspoort: Glasses Photo Rules Compared

Note that the Dutch rijbewijs (driving licence) photo has the same no-glasses requirement. However, the two photos may have different size specifications. Always check the specific requirements for each document.

Schengen Visa Glasses Rules at Dutch Consulates

Dutch consulates processing Schengen visa applications also enforce the no-glasses rule. If you're applying for a Schengen visa through a Dutch consulate, remove all glasses for the photo.

BRP Registration Photo Glasses Rules in the Netherlands

The BRP photo used in the Dutch municipal personal records system follows the same standards. When you register at a gemeente, the photo captured must be glasses-free.

Tips for Strong Prescription Wearers Getting Dutch Photos

If your prescription is strong and you don't normally wear contact lenses:

• Daily disposable contacts are available at most Dutch opticians (Specsavers, EyeWish, Hans Anders, Pearl). A single pair is affordable and solves the problem.
• Ask the photographer to guide you. If you can't see the camera clearly, the photographer can help you position correctly. They handle this daily.
• The photo takes seconds. Remove glasses, take the photo, put them back on. The brief discomfort is negligible.

Do Not Digitally Remove Glasses from Dutch Photos

Do not digitally remove glasses from a photo. Always take the photo without glasses from the start.

Verify your photo meets all Dutch passport requirements with the passportsize-photo.online checker. For size requirements, see Dutch passport photo size guide. View all Dutch passport photo rules on the Netherlands hub.