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Netherlands ID card photo checker

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  • 33 checks by the authority rules
Sheet 1 / 1 · Document photo checkPhoto size 35 × 45 mm
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ID cardplain lightglasses — no glaresample

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Who is in the photo
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What we check — the document requirements

  1. 1Size and filePhoto and file size — as this document expects them35 × 45 mm
  2. 2Head in the photoHow much of the photo the head takes — from the crown to the chin57.8–66.7 % of the photo height
  3. 3Eye heightHow high the eyes sit — measured from the bottom edge of the photo55–70 % from the bottom of the photo
  4. 4BackgroundColour and evenness of the background behind the headplain light
  5. 5Glasses and headwearWhether glasses and head coverings are allowed — by this document's rulesglasses — no glare
  6. 6Pose and faceLooking straight at the camera, mouth closed, a calm faceneutral face
  7. 7Light and sharpnessEven light on the face, a sharp colour photoeven light, sharp photo
Document
ID card35 × 45 mm
Rules
Government.nlchecked word for word 17 May 2026 · source
Checked
in your browserthe photo stays on your device
Verdict
waiting for a photo

Notes to the sheet

  1. Netherlands ID card photo requirements at a glance

    • The Netherlands ID card photo is 35 × 45 mm.
    • The head takes up 57.8–66.7 % of the photo height — 26–30 mm from chin to crown.
    • The eyes sit at 55–70 % from the bottom of the photo.
    • Background: plain light.
    • Glasses are fine if the lenses are clear and free of glare.
    • Head coverings only for religious reasons, with the whole face visible.
    • Neutral expression, mouth closed.
    • Rules: Government.nl, checked against the official text on 17 May 2026.

  2. What we don't check

    • When the picture was taken. We read the date from the file if it survived, but re-saving wipes it — and many authorities ask for a recent photo.
    • Whether the picture was edited. Retouching, filters and AI changes cannot be proved from a file.
    • Whether you have sent this picture before. Some authorities reject a photo that was already used in an earlier application.
    • How the photo will be printed. Paper, trimming and print quality cannot be judged from a file.
    • The route you apply through. Some countries want a code from an approved photographer, or take the picture at the office themselves.

  3. What this document is

    A Dutch identity card is applied for at the municipality where you are registered, and its photo rules are not its own: government.nl sets a single list for passports, identity cards and driving licences together. Two details from that list are worth carrying into the shoot. The background may be light grey, light blue or white, but it has to be one colour in one shade, with enough contrast against face and hair. And for anyone aged 11 or over the face is measured from chin to crown at 26 to 30 millimetres — a smaller face than most of Europe asks for.

Frequently asked

What size is the Netherlands ID card photo?

35 × 45 mm, with the head taking up 57.8–66.7 % of the photo height. The check compares your photo with these numbers and crops it to size for free.

What background does the Netherlands ID card photo need?

Light and plain — white or light grey, for example, without shadows or patterns. If yours does not fit, the free fix replaces it.

Can I wear glasses in the Netherlands ID card photo?

Yes, if the lenses are clear, free of glare and the frame does not cover the eyes. Sunglasses and tinted lenses are not allowed.

Can I smile in the Netherlands ID card photo?

No: the expression is neutral, the mouth closed, the eyes looking straight into the camera.

Can I wear a head covering in the Netherlands ID card photo?

Only for religious reasons — and the whole face must stay visible, from chin to forehead, without shadows.

Which rules is the Netherlands ID card photo checked against?

The rules of the authority that issues the document: Government.nl. The numbers are checked word for word against the official text; every verdict row has a «Why» with the rule quote and a link to the source.

Can I print the Netherlands ID card photo at home?

Yes: «Print on a 10 × 15 sheet» lays out your Netherlands ID card photo (35 × 45 mm) on a standard sheet — print it at a photo shop or on a home printer; the size on the sheet is exact.

Is the check free? Is my photo uploaded anywhere?

Free, no sign-up. The check and the fix run right in your browser — the photo never leaves your device; it goes to a server only if you choose the AI yourself.