Dutch Passport Photo in Ireland

35 × 45 mm · light grey background · Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK) / Rijksoverheid

€7.99 digital file · prints in Dublin

Wrong size, background or crop? We fix it free or refund you in full. Refund policy

Rules last checked against Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK) / Rijksoverheid on 12 October 2026.

About this photo

The Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK) / Rijksoverheid asks for a Dutch Passport photo of 35 by 45 mm. No more than 6 months old on the day of application. Use a plain light grey or light blue or white background with nothing behind you and no shadow on the wall. A photo taken at home with a phone is fine provided it meets these rules; ask someone else to take it at eye level. Your head, chin to crown, should measure 26 to 30 mm on the print. Applications are made with printed photos, so you need a physical copy rather than an upload. The Dutch Passport photo comes back sized, with a clean background and a head-size check, before you are asked to pay.

Photo requirements

Dutch Passport photo requirements
Photo size	35 × 45 mm
Background	light grey, also accepted: light blue, white
Head size	58–67% of the photo height (26–30 mm, chin to crown, top of head, including hair)
Expression	Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open
Glasses	Allowed. Eyes fully visible, lenses fully transparent, no reflection or shadow; wearing glasses is optional.
Head coverings	Allowed for religious or medical reasons. Only for religion or belief, or hair loss from medical treatment or illness; plain, one colour, contrasting with the background, face fully visible.
Head position	Facing the camera, tilted no more than 10°
Other rules	Face width (ear base to ear base) 16-20 mm; head shown in full and centred; Colour, sharp, unedited, printed on high-quality smooth photo paper at a resolution of at least 400 dpi; No more than 6 months old on the day of application; Neutral expression, mouth closed, looking straight into the camera

Do

Illustration of an accepted photo: neutral expression, eyes open, facing the camera on a plain background — Neutral expression, eyes open, facing the camera

Don't

Illustration of a rejected photo: the person is smiling with teeth showing — No smiling with teeth showing

Illustration of a rejected photo: light reflects off the glasses and hides the eyes — No glare on glasses

Illustration of a rejected photo: a shadow falls across the face and background — No shadows on the face or background

Illustration of a rejected photo: the head is tilted to one side — Do not tilt your head

How it works

1. Take or upload a photo
Use your phone camera against a plain wall, or pick a photo you already have.
2. We size and check it
We crop to the right size, replace the background and check it against the rules above.
3. Download and use it
Pay once, then download the digital file and the print sheet straight away.

If our processing gets the size, background or crop wrong for this document, we fix it free or refund you in full. Final acceptance is always decided by the issuing authority.

Questions about Dutch Passport photos

What size is a Dutch Passport photo?

Dutch Passport photos are 35 × 45 mm. The head should fill 58–67% of the photo height (26–30 mm, chin to crown, top of head, including hair).

What background does a Dutch Passport photo need?

A plain light grey background (light blue, white is also accepted), with no shadows, patterns or objects. We replace the background for you, but a plain wall gives the cleanest edges around your hair.

Can I wear glasses in a Dutch Passport photo?

Yes. Eyes fully visible, lenses fully transparent, no reflection or shadow; wearing glasses is optional.

Can I smile in a Dutch Passport photo?

No. Keep a neutral expression with your mouth closed and your eyes open.

Can I wear a head covering?

Allowed for religious or medical reasons. Only for religion or belief, or hair loss from medical treatment or illness; plain, one colour, contrasting with the background, face fully visible.

Can I take a Dutch Passport photo at home?

Usually, yes, as long as it meets the rules above. Check the instructions for your application route, because final acceptance is always decided by Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK) / Rijksoverheid. PhotoPass ID sizes your photo and checks it against these rules before you pay.

How much does a Dutch Passport photo cost in Ireland?

€7.99 for the digital file, paid once. Prints with pharmacy pickup or delivery in Dublin are also available at selected times.

What if something is wrong with my photo?

If our processing gets the size, background or crop wrong for this document, we fix it free or refund you in full. Final acceptance is always decided by the issuing authority.

Official source: Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK) / Rijksoverheid

Read the rules on the authority's website: Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK) / Rijksoverheid (rijksoverheid.nl).