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Netherlands Passport Photo Maker

Upload any photo: the tool removes your existing background, drops in the plain light grey background required for Netherlands passport, and produces a spec-exact 35×45mm image ready to submit.

Drop your photo hereChoose your photo
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JPG, PNG, HEIC or WebP · Max 25 MB · Face forward, eyes on the camera.

100% private: deleted after processing Free preview, $3 to download or included on Pro Spec-exact 35×45mm output

How to make a Netherlands passport photo in 3 steps

Upload any photo of yourself, and the tool handles the entire Netherlands passport spec pipeline, background removal, colour swap, spec-exact crop, file-size compression, in one pass.

1

Start from a photo you already have

A phone shot against any wall works, because the background gets replaced. Remove glasses before you shoot: they are rejected.

2

Background replaced with plain light grey

Your outline, including hair and clothing edges, is separated from the original photo and composited onto the plain light grey that Netherlands requires for a passport.

3

Cropped to 35×45mm at 600 DPI

That is 827×1063 pixels (1.38×1.77 inches). The head is placed 32-36mm from chin to crown, 71-80% of the frame height. Drag the crop box if you want the face sitting differently in the frame.

Understanding the Netherlands passport spec

Dutch requirements are among the strictest in Europe. Photographs are 35×45mm to the biometric standard with the head 32-36mm from chin to crown, and the background must be plain light grey: white is specifically not accepted, which catches out anyone reusing a photo made for a US, UK or Asian application. Glasses are not permitted at all under the rules in force since 2020, with no glare-free exception of the kind some countries allow. The RvIG publishes an official photo matrix (fotomatrix) showing accepted and rejected examples, and municipalities check against it.

Dimensions
35×45 mm
1.38 × 1.77 in
Resolution
600 DPI
Print-ready
Background
plain light grey
AI-swapped
Head height
32–36 mm
Chin to crown

Requirements at a glance

  • 35x45mm biometric standard
  • Plain light grey background: not white
  • Head 32-36mm, neutral expression
  • No smile, both eyes open
  • No glasses (Dutch rules since 2020)

Where Netherlands passport photos are actually used

The grey background requirement makes Dutch photos compatible with French, German and UK applications, all of which prefer or require a light or grey background. It makes them incompatible with Japan, Singapore, the United States and most of South Asia, which insist on white. If you need one photo for both groups you will need two versions: the background is the only thing that changes, so it is worth producing both from the same original rather than reshooting. Because glasses are banned outright, remove them before you take the photo rather than trying to avoid glare.

Applications that accept this photo spec

  • Dutch passport (paspoort) application at a municipality
  • Dutch identity card (identiteitskaart) applications
  • Residence permit and IND applications
  • Applications lodged at a Dutch embassy or consulate
  • Schengen applications where a Dutch-spec photo is supplied

Netherlands passport photo FAQ

Why is a white background rejected in the Netherlands?

Dutch rules require a plain light grey background rather than white. A white background provides too little contrast against light hair, fair skin and light clothing for reliable automated face detection. The RvIG fotomatrix shows the accepted range, and municipalities check submissions against it.

Can I wear glasses in a Dutch passport photo?

No. Glasses have not been permitted under the Dutch rules in force since 2020, and unlike some countries there is no exception for clear, glare-free lenses. Remove them before taking the photo.

What is the fotomatrix?

It is the official Dutch photo matrix published by the RvIG, a reference sheet of accepted and rejected example photographs covering background, head position, expression, lighting and sharpness. Municipal staff use it when assessing a submitted photo, so it is the best guide to what will pass.

What size is a Netherlands passport photo?

35×45mm (1.38×1.77 inches) at 600 DPI, on a plain light grey background. The head must measure 32-36mm from chin to the top of the head.

What background color does Netherlands require for passport photos?

Plain light grey. A background that does not match, the wrong shade, a gradient, a shadow cast behind you, or any visible texture or pattern, is one of the most common reasons a photo is sent back. This tool replaces whatever is behind you with the one the spec asks for.

Can I take a Netherlands passport photo with my phone?

Yes. Modern phone cameras produce more than enough resolution for the 35×45mm output. What matters is even lighting (no harsh shadows on your face), a straight-on angle, and a neutral expression. This tool handles the background and sizing.

What file size does this tool produce?

The output JPEG is kept under 240 KB while preserving the 600 DPI resolution the spec requires. Upload limits vary between government portals and consulates, so check the one you are filing through: if it caps lower, use our Image Compressor to reduce further.

Is my uploaded photo saved on your servers?

No. It is processed in memory and discarded as soon as the result is produced. The background model runs on the server because it is too large to run in a browser; nothing is written to disk or logged.

Can I print the Netherlands passport photo at home?

Yes. The output is a 600 DPI JPEG at exactly 35×45mm, so any inkjet or laser printer produces the correct physical size when you print at 100% scale (not "fit to page"). Use the 4×6 print sheet option to get multiple copies on one sheet of photo paper.

Do I need to sign up or pay?

No sign-up. Making the photo and checking it against the spec is free, guests get 2 a day and a free account 5 a day, 10 a month. The finished photo without the watermark is $3, paid once, or included on Pro and Business plans.

What if the background removal is not perfect?

Hair, clothing edges and skin tones come out cleanly in most photos. If an edge looks wrong, re-shoot in indirect daylight, or skip the background swap and use the crop alone.
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