head 68–77 %
Free: cropping, background replacement, check
14-day refund if the authority rejects the photo
SourceFinnish Police / Finland Abroad
Verified
Quick answer: The recommended Finland driver's license photo size is 36 × 47 mm. Plain light neutral background without shadows. Head occupies 68–77% of photo height (32–36 mm chin to crown). Neutral expression, clear lenses only, no glare. Last verified .
Requirements
| Format | 36 × 47 mmICAO 9303: 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Head height | 68–77% of photo heightICAO 9303: 70–80% |
| Head height (mm) | 32–36 mm chin to crown |
| Background | Plain light neutral background without shadows. |
| Pose | Head straight, no tilt, face and eyes directed directly into the camera. |
| Expression | Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open and clearly visible. |
| Glasses | Glasses must not cover the eyes; tinted lenses permitted only for medical reasons. See full rules → |
| Lighting | Even lighting without shadows on face and background, no red eyes. |
| Head covering | Religious, traditional, or medical reasons only; must not cast shadows on the face. |
| Attire | Neutral clothing without uniform or distracting accessories. |
| File format | JPEG · sRGB / 24-bit |
| Millimetres | 36 × 47 mm |
|---|---|
| Centimetres | 3.6 × 4.7 cm |
| Inches | 1.42 × 1.85″ |
| Pixels at 300 dpi | 425 × 555 px |
| Pixels at 600 dpi | 850 × 1110 px |
Finland driving licence photos are reviewed at the licence-issuing office, then printed onto the licence card and (in modern licences) embedded as a biometric template in the card chip. The review checks dimensions, background, lighting and that the applicant's face is unobstructed. Most modern licence systems run an automated ICAO alignment check before printing.
Driving licence photos are typically valid for the full document lifetime — five to ten years depending on the region. Choose a photo that will continue to match your appearance over that period, not a one-off styled portrait.
Examples and mistakes
One compliant example next to the six most common rejection causes for Finland driver's license applications. These are the differences that most often determine whether a document photo is accepted.
How to take it
Background: plain light
The tool puts in the required background. Stand half a metre from a plain light wall, face a window and shoot without flash — then there are no shadows on your face or on the wall.
Head: 68–77 % of the photo height (32–36 mm)
Camera at eye level, about a metre away; head and shoulders in the shot. The tool crops it to 36 × 47 mm.
Clear lenses only, no glare
If you wear glasses, check the shot: no glare on the lenses, eyes clearly visible.
Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open and clearly visible
Look straight into the lens with your head level; keep hair away from your eyes and eyebrows.
An ordinary selfie will do: we fix the background, light and framing ourselves — to this document's rules. The preview is free.
Head straightHold the phone at eye level and your head straightens by itself.
Face uncoveredMove your hair away so your eyes and eyebrows show.
No glare on glassesStand so that no light reflects in the lenses.Printing and submission
| 10 × 15 cm · 4 × 6″ | 8 (4 × 2) |
|---|---|
| A4 · 21 × 29.7 cm | 32 (4 × 8) |
Print at 100% scale, borderless, and turn off fit-to-page so each photo keeps its exact size.
| Authority | Finnish Police / Finland Abroad |
|---|---|
| Source | Finnish passport photograph instructions |
| Verified |
Questions
The recommended size for the Finland driver's license photo is 36 × 47 mm. The head occupies 68–77% of the photo height. The photo is printed on the licence card and must remain recognisable for the full validity period.
Plain light neutral background without shadows. Even, frontal light without shadow gradients. Driving licence printers tend to compress contrast — starting with even lighting prevents underexposed areas from disappearing in the final print.
Glasses must not cover the eyes; tinted lenses permitted only for medical reasons. Many authorities specifically allow eyewear when it is required for driving, but the eyes must remain fully visible and there must be no lens glare. Tinted lenses or transition lenses that have darkened are not accepted.
Most authorities require the photo to be taken within the last six months. The licence is typically valid for 5–10 years, so use a recent photo that reflects your everyday appearance — not a one-off styled portrait.
No. Driving licence photos use the same neutral expression standard as biometric passports — closed mouth, eyes open and looking directly at the camera, no raised eyebrows. Smiles distort facial geometry used in modern biometric checks.
Anfas.Pro provides a 14-day full refund if the Finland licence authority rejects the photo and you supply the rejection notice.
36 × 47 mm = 3.6 × 4.7 cm = 1.42 × 1.85 inches. At 300 dpi that is 425 × 555 pixels; at 600 dpi, 850 × 1110 pixels.
Religious, traditional, or medical reasons only; must not cast shadows on the face. The face must stay fully visible from chin to forehead and on both sides, with no shadow across it.
Yes. The same 36 × 47 mm format and head size apply to: EU blue card, EU long-term residence permit, ID card, national visa (Type D), passport, refugee travel document.