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Netherlands · photo requirements

A Dutch Passport / ID photo is 35 × 45 mm

Short answer

A Dutch Passport / ID photo must be 35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in), usually 413 × 531 pixels at 300 DPI, with a light grey background and head height 70–80% of the frame. PicsForm maps this to Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) (government.nl) for Netherlands, last checked Aug 18, 2026.

Official rule table

Values below are the PicsForm catalog mapping, not a screenshot of the government site.

RequirementOfficial rule (catalog)
Photo size35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in)
Digital size413 × 531 px @ 300 DPI
Backgroundlight grey (#E6E6E6)
Head size70–80% of frame (31.5–36.0 mm (1.24–1.42 in))
Eye line from bottom55–70%
GlassesNot permitted
ExpressionNeutral expression, mouth closed
HeadwearFashion hats not permitted; religious covering only where policy allows
File sizeTypically ≤ 5000 KB

How to make this photo

  1. Stand 1.5–2 metres from the camera, camera at eye height, against a plain light grey wall.
  2. Include the top of the hair, both ears if the document requires them, and the upper shoulders — do not crop at the neck.
  3. Open Create with Dutch Passport / ID selected, upload the portrait, and read the compliance report.
  4. If the verdict is Retake, fix the listed official rule and photograph again. Do not pay for a photo that still fails a hard rule.

Why photos like this get rejected

  • Head height outside the official band
  • Chin sitting on the bottom edge (shoulders missing)
  • Glasses glare or tinted lenses where glasses are not permitted
  • Shadows or a non-plain background
  • Wrong pixel size or file too large for the portal

Rejection guides

Questions

What size is a Dutch Passport / ID photo?
35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in). Digital export in this catalog is 413 × 531 px at 300 DPI.
What is the Dutch Passport / ID photo size in pixels?
413 × 531 pixels at 300 DPI in the PicsForm catalog. Re-check the live portal if it publishes a different pixel cap.
Can I wear glasses in a Dutch Passport / ID photo?
Not permitted
Can I smile in a Dutch Passport / ID photo?
Neutral expression, mouth closed
What background does a Dutch Passport / ID photo need?
Plain light grey (#E6E6E6). Keep it even — no pattern, shadow, or extra people.
What head size does Dutch Passport / ID require?
Chin-to-crown should occupy 70–80% of the photo height (31.5 mm (1.24 in) to 36.0 mm (1.42 in)).
Can I take a Dutch Passport / ID photo with my phone?
Yes, if the camera is at eye level, the face is sharp, lighting is even, and the crop matches the published size. PicsForm can check a phone portrait against this document’s catalog rules. It cannot invent missing shoulders or guarantee an embassy will accept the file.
Can I use an old Dutch Passport / ID photo?
Most authorities want a recent likeness (often within six months) that still looks like you. Reuse an old file only if it still matches the current size, background, and appearance rules.

Source method

  • PicsForm does not invent photo specifications.
  • Each catalog row is mapped to a published government or issuing-authority page when a URL exists.
  • Where a rule is ambiguous (for example a visa processed by a local VAC with extra crop rules), the product labels Review instead of treating a guess as compliance.
  • Last-checked dates record when a human last opened the official page. They are not a government certification.
Dutch Passport / ID size is 35×45 mm — official rules 2026