The Netherlands requires passport photos measuring exactly 35×45 millimeters (1.38×1.77 inches). At 300 DPI, this translates to 413×531 pixels. Applications are processed through municipal offices (gemeenten) and follow national standards aligned with EU regulations.
Exact Dutch Passport Photo Size Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Width | 35mm / 1.38″ / 413px |
| Height | 45mm / 1.77″ / 531px |
| Aspect ratio | 7:9 |
| Minimum DPI | 300 |
| File format | JPEG |
| File size | 50KB–5MB |
| Background | White |
| Glasses | Not permitted |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed |
Get a compliant passport photo online
Dutch Passport Photo Head Height: The 60–80% Rule
Your head — measured from the bottom of the chin to the top of the skull — must occupy 60-80% of the photo's 45mm vertical space.
In concrete terms:
- Minimum (60%): 27mm from chin to crown
- Maximum (80%): 36mm from chin to crown
- Target (70-75%): 31.5–34mm — the safest position
- Eye line: Approximately 56% from the bottom of the image
If you're photographing yourself, position the camera at eye level approximately 1.5 meters away. Your shoulders should be visible at the bottom of the frame. If they're cut off, you're too close; if there's a large gap below them, you're too far.
Dutch Passport Photo Size vs Other Countries
| Country | Size | Head height | Glasses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | 35×45mm | 60–80% | ❌ Banned |
| France | 35×45mm | 60–80% | ❌ Banned |
| Germany | 35×45mm | 60–80% | ✅ Conditional |
| United Kingdom | 35×45mm | 64–76% | ✅ Conditional |
| Italy | 35×45mm | 60–80% | ✅ Prescription OK |
| United States | 51×51mm | 50–69% | ❌ Banned |
| Spain | 26×32mm | 63–78% | ❌ Banned |
The Netherlands shares the standard 35×45mm format with most of the EU. A photo taken for France or Germany will match Dutch dimensions exactly. However, the US square format and Spain's smaller 26×32mm are incompatible.
Glasses and Appearance Rules for Dutch Passport Photos
These rules directly affect how you frame and prepare your photo:
- Glasses: Not permitted. Remove all eyewear before photographing. This applies to both prescription glasses and sunglasses.
- Expression: Neutral, mouth closed. No smiling.
- Background: White. Ensure even, shadow-free illumination behind you.
- Hair: Must not cover the face or forehead. Both ears should be visible.
- Head coverings: Only for religious reasons, and the full face from forehead to chin must remain visible.
Where to Get Correctly Sized Dutch Passport Photos
For in-person applications, visit your local municipality office. Photo requirements are standardized nationally, but service options vary between gemeenten. Some have dedicated photo booths on-site; others expect you to bring photos from an external studio.
Photo booths (Photomaton/Pasfotomaat): Available in many train stations, shopping centers, and gemeente lobbies. Cost is typically €6-10. These machines produce correctly sized photos, but quality can be uneven — check the result before leaving.
Photo studios: Professional photographers in most Dutch cities offer passport photo services. Cost ranges from €10-25. Specify "pasfoto voor paspoort" — not "pasfoto voor rijbewijs" (driving license), which may have slightly different requirements.
Drugstores: Chains like Etos and Kruidvat sometimes offer passport photo services. Convenient and affordable (€8-15), though not available at every location.
DIY at home: If photographing yourself, stand in front of a white wall in indirect natural light (near a large window, not in direct sun). Use a tripod or prop your phone at eye level about 1.5 metres away. Set a timer so you're not reaching for the shutter button. Verify the result in a photo editor — check that the head fills 60-80% of the frame and the background is evenly lit white with no shadows.
Digital Submission Requirements for Dutch Passport Photos
The Netherlands supports online passport applications. When uploading digitally:
- File must be JPEG format, between 50KB and 5MB
- Minimum 413×531 pixels at 300 DPI
- The online system runs automated validation — it checks dimensions, aspect ratio, face detection, and background color before accepting the upload
- If rejected, the system provides limited detail about what went wrong
A common trap: scanning a printed photo introduces subtle issues. Scanned images often pick up paper texture, slight color shifts, or shadow at the edges where the photo curls away from the scanner glass. If you're submitting digitally, start with a digital original rather than scanning a print.
Aspect ratio warning: When cropping for upload, ensure you maintain the exact 7:9 ratio (413×531 pixels). Many photo editors default to 4:3 or 16:9 crops. If the system rejects your upload, the aspect ratio is often the cause — even if the pixel dimensions look close.
Dutch Passport Photo Size Rules for Babies and Children
Children's Dutch passport photos follow the same 35×45mm size requirements, but the gemeente applies more flexibility on positioning for young children.
Infants (under 1 year): The most challenging. The baby must face the camera with both eyes open. Most parents lay the baby on a white sheet and photograph from directly above. The 60-80% head height rule still applies, but gemeente staff generally allow some tolerance for very young babies.
Toddlers (1-4): Same rules as adults — centered face, neutral expression, eyes open. Getting a toddler to sit still with a neutral expression is the real challenge. Professional photo studios with experience in children's portraits are the most reliable option.
All children under 18: Dutch children's passports are valid for 5 years instead of 10. This means more frequent photos. Keep a compliant digital copy — you'll need it again sooner than adult passport holders.
Common Dutch Passport Photo Sizing Mistakes
Using a US-format photo. The US uses a 51×51mm square. Dutch passports require a 35×45mm rectangle. No amount of cropping converts one into the other without losing essential content.
Wearing glasses. Glasses are not permitted in Dutch passport photos. If you arrive at the gemeente with photos showing glasses, they will be rejected outright. Remove them before the photo is taken — even if you wear them every day.
Face too small in the frame. Selfies at arm's length typically produce a face at 40-50% of the frame — below the 60% minimum. Use a tripod at 1.5 meters distance, or have someone else take the photo. Your face should visibly dominate the frame.
Wrong aspect ratio from phone cameras. Most phone cameras default to 4:3 or 16:9. The Dutch passport requires 7:9. If you crop a 4:3 photo to 7:9, you'll lose content from the sides — make sure there's enough horizontal margin before cropping.
Shadows on the background. Even with a white wall, standing too close creates a shadow behind your head. Stand at least 50cm from the wall, and use diffused lighting (a large window works) to minimize shadows.
Verifying Your Dutch Passport Photo Size Before Submission
Use our passport photo checker to validate your image against Dutch requirements before visiting the gemeente. This catches dimension errors, aspect ratio problems, and background issues that would otherwise cause a wasted trip and a second appointment.
For background color rules, see our guide on Dutch passport photo background requirements. View all Dutch passport photo specifications on the Netherlands passport photo hub.
