All photo formats / Europe
Dutch passport / ID photo (Fotomatrix rules)
Dutch passports, ID cards and driving licences use the government's Fotomatrix 2020 rules: a 35 x 45 mm colour photo, no more than 6 months old, unaltered, printed at at least 400 dpi, with the face 26-30 mm from chin to crown and 16-20 mm from ear to ear, against a plain light grey, light blue or white background. Expression neutral, mouth closed, looking straight at the camera; head uncovered unless religion requires a plain one-colour covering. This tool crops your photo to the exact frame with head-size guides, print-ready at 600 dpi - on your device, nothing is uploaded.
The official requirements
| Print size | 35 x 45 mm (this file: 826 x 1062 px = 600 dpi; the rule requires at least 400 dpi) |
|---|---|
| Face length | 26-30 mm chin to crown (ages 11+); 19-30 mm for ages 10 and under |
| Face width | 16-20 mm from ear to ear |
| Background | Light grey, light blue or white; plain, one uniform colour, contrasting with the head |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, looking straight at the camera |
| Position | Head facing forward and fully visible, eyes horizontally aligned, head not tilted, shoulders straight |
| Quality | Colour, sharp, unaltered by software, not a reproduction; printed on smooth photo paper |
| Ears | Need not be visible, as long as the full face width is visible |
Checked against the official sources below on 7 Nov 2026.
Rules checked against the official Fotomatrix 2020 (Photo Specification Guidelines, government.nl / RvIG) and NetherlandsWorldwide's photo-requirements page (checked November 2026).
Babies and children under 6 are exempt from the position and expression rules; any support hand must not be visible.
The Dutch head band (26-30 mm of 45 mm) is tighter than the generic ICAO 32-36 mm rule - frame the face between the guide lines, which are set to the Dutch measurements.
How to do it
- Take a colour photo against a plain light grey, light blue or white wall, evenly lit, no shadows or reflections.
- Face the camera, head uncovered and straight, neutral expression, mouth closed.
- Upload below and frame the face between the guide lines - set to the Dutch 26-30 mm band.
- Confirm the checklist, download, and print at 35 x 45 mm on smooth high-quality photo paper.
Common questions
How is the Dutch photo different from other European photos?
The face must measure 26-30 mm chin to crown - a tighter band than the generic ICAO 32-36 mm - plus a 16-20 mm ear-to-ear width rule. The guide lines here follow the Dutch measurements.
Is a white background allowed?
Yes - unlike France, the Netherlands accepts white, as well as light grey or light blue, as long as it is plain, uniform and contrasts with the head.
Can I wear glasses?
Yes, if the lenses are fully transparent with no glare or shadow and the eyes are fully visible.
Can I wear a head covering?
Only when religion or belief requires it: plain, one colour, and contrasting with the background.