Netherlands Passport Photo Size & Requirements
The spec is 35×45mm, head height 26-30mm for age 11+, face width 16-20mm, on a light grey, light blue, or white background — confirmed directly against rijksoverheid.nl.
Same size and background rules — infant mode swaps the crop guide for a lay-flat framing box. See our infant photo guide.
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Netherlands passport photo specification
- Print size
- 35×45mm (1.38×1.77 in)
- Digital output
- 630×810px
- Head height (chin to crown)
- 26–30mm (58–67% of frame)
- Background
- Plain, single-colour background: light grey, light blue, or white — no colour gradient
- ·Head height (chin to crown) 26-30mm for applicants age 11 and up; 19-30mm for children age 10 and under
- ·Face width, ear to ear, between 16mm and 20mm
- ·Neutral expression, mouth closed, looking straight at the camera
- ·Both eyes fully visible, with fully transparent lenses and no disruptive glare if wearing glasses
- ·Head uncovered, except for religious reasons — and even then, the covering itself must be plain, single-coloured, and contrast with the background
- ·Taken within the last 6 months
- ·Minimum 400 DPI resolution
Source: rijksoverheid.nl, the Dutch central government's own official passport and ID card photo requirements page, directly confirmed this session. One notable detail: the Netherlands publishes a genuine age-based head-height distinction — 26-30mm for applicants age 11 and older, but a wider 19-30mm range for children age 10 and under, since young children's faces occupy proportionally less of a well-framed photo. This tool is calibrated to the 11+ (most applicants) range; if you're cropping a photo for a child age 10 or under, the wider range still fits comfortably within this tool's guide.
A genuine age-based head-height rule
Most countries publish a single head-height range for everyone. The Netherlands is an exception: rijksoverheid.nl states a wider 19-30mm range (chin to crown) for children age 10 and under, and a narrower 26-30mm range for applicants age 11 and older. This tool is calibrated to the 11+ range, since that covers the vast majority of applicants — the wider children's range still fits comfortably within the same 35×45mm guide.
Three accepted background colours
Unlike countries that specify a single required shade, the Dutch government explicitly accepts light grey, light blue, or plain white — as long as it's a single, even colour with no gradient. This tool's background-swap feature defaults to white, but light grey or light blue are equally compliant if that's what you have on hand.
Related photo requirements
Common rejection reasons
Background isn’t plain or uniform
Shadows, patterns, furniture, or other people in frame are among the most common reasons photos get bounced back. Use a plain wall and even, shadow-free lighting.
Head size or position is off
Too zoomed in, too zoomed out, or off-center. Each country specifies an exact head-height range and crown position, and that's exactly what the crop guide in this tool aligns to.
Glasses, glare, or head coverings
Most countries now disallow glasses entirely (or require them glare-free with no frame over the eyes), and disallow non-religious head coverings that hide the hairline or face.
Photo is filtered, retouched, or AI-enhanced
Beauty filters, background blur, skin smoothing, and AI-generated backgrounds are explicitly rejected by several passport authorities, including the UK’s HM Passport Office.
Photo is outdated
Most countries require a photo taken within the last 6 months (the UK requires within the last month). An old photo, even a good one, can be rejected on this basis alone.
Expression or eye contact issues
Closed eyes, mouth open, smiling with teeth showing, or not looking straight at the camera are all common rejection triggers. A neutral, closed-mouth expression is the safe default.
Want the full picture across every country? See all passport photo requirements for 2026, read how to take a passport photo at home, or check what to wear and expression rules.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a Dutch passport photo?
35x45mm, stated directly on rijksoverheid.nl, the Dutch government's own official requirements page. Head height (chin to crown) needs to be 26-30mm for applicants age 11 and up.
Is the head-height requirement different for children in a Dutch passport photo?
Yes, this is one of the few countries with a genuine, government-published age split. Children age 10 and under get a wider 19-30mm head-height range, while applicants 11 and older need 26-30mm. Both ranges fit within this tool's 35x45mm guide.
What background does a Dutch passport photo need?
Light grey, light blue, or plain white — single-coloured, with no colour gradient. All three shades are explicitly accepted, so you have more flexibility here than in countries that specify just one colour.
What are the Dutch passport photo requirements?
A recent (within 6 months) photo, 35x45mm, with your face width (ear to ear) between 16mm and 20mm, a neutral expression, mouth closed, looking straight at the camera, and a plain light grey, light blue, or white background. Minimum 400 DPI resolution is required.
Can you wear glasses in a Dutch passport photo?
Yes, as long as both eyes are fully visible through fully transparent lenses with no disruptive glare or reflection.
What is the Dutch passport photo size in inches and pixels?
About 1.38x1.77in, or 35x45mm — the same physical size as the UK, Schengen, and German passport photo. This tool exports it at 630x810 pixels.
Does this tool upload my photo anywhere?
No. All the cropping and resizing happens locally in your browser using the canvas element, so your photo is read from your device, processed there, and never transmitted anywhere.
Can you smile in a Dutch passport photo?
No. The requirements call for a neutral expression with your mouth closed, same as most biometric photo standards. See our guide to smiling in a passport photo for what counts as neutral.
Are the requirements different for a baby or infant Dutch passport photo?
The under-10 head-height range (19-30mm) already accounts for younger children, but a baby obviously can't hold a neutral, forward-facing pose unassisted. See our newborn and infant passport photo guide for how that's usually handled.