head 68–77 %
Free: cropping, background replacement, check
14-day refund if the authority rejects the photo
SourceFinnish Police / Finland Abroad
Verified
Quick answer: A Finland ID card photo must be 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. |
| Digital resolution | 500 × 653 px |
| File format | JPEG · sRGB / 24-bit |
| File size | max 250 KB Compress photo to 200 KB — Finland ID card → |
| 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 national ID card (henkilökortti / identitetskort) photos are administered by the Finnish Police (Poliisi). The format is 36×47mm — same unique Finnish size as passport.
Same biometric workflow: photography studios send digital photo directly to Police. Head 32-36mm chin-to-crown, plain background, no glasses. Finnish ID card is a biometric chip card valid as EU/Schengen travel document.
Issued at Police service points across Finland; application can also be initiated online via the Police's e-services portal.
Examples and mistakes
A photo that will be accepted, next to the six most common reasons Finland ID card photos get rejected.
Common reasons a document photo is rejected, checked against the requirements Finnish Police / Finland Abroad publishes: what is wrong and what to change.
| Reason | Fix |
|---|---|
| Photo not 36×47mm Finnish size | Reprint at Finnish unique size |
| Glasses worn | Re-shoot without glasses |
| Background non-plain | Re-shoot against plain backdrop |
| Photo older than 6 months | Re-shoot |
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 identity card photograph instructions |
| Verified |
Questions
The Finland ID card photo must be 36 × 47 mm. The head must occupy 68–77% of the photo height. For digital upload, use 500 × 653 px. The photo should look like you do day to day.
Plain light neutral background without shadows. A plain, evenly lit wall without shadows or pattern is enough — the tool sets the required background colour.
Yes. Stand against a plain light wall facing a window, and take the photo with a timer or ask someone to help. The tool crops it to size, fixes the background and checks the framing.
Most offices accept a photo taken within the last six months. If your hair, beard or face has changed noticeably since then, take a new one.
Glasses must not cover the eyes; tinted lenses permitted only for medical reasons. If you keep them on, tilt them slightly downwards by lifting the arms a little above your ears: this usually moves reflections of a window or lamp off the lenses.
We refund the payment in full. Email us within 14 days of purchase with your order number and the rejection notice from the Finland authority.
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: driver's license, EU blue card, EU long-term residence permit, national visa (Type D), passport, refugee travel document.