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The Challenge
Finland requires 36×47mm passport photos with strict biometric standards post-2006. Head height 32-36mm adults, ≥25mm children under 11. Digital applications need 500×653px files. Professional services charge €15-25. One rejected photo = resubmission delays.
Finnish passport photo requirements (post-2006 biometric standard)
Finland implemented new biometric passport requirements on August 21, 2006. Photos are digitally stored in passport chips for automatic face recognition. Specifications: 36×47mm dimensions, white or light neutral plain background, head height 32-36mm adults (25mm minimum for children under 11). Photos must be sharp, high-quality matte paper prints. Digital submissions via police.fi portal accept 500×653px JPEG files. Finnish Police (Poliisi) rejects photos with shadows, incorrect head positioning, or low print quality.
Finland passport photo requirements - will your photo be accepted?
- 36×47mm dimensions (width×height)
- White or light neutral plain background—no patterns or objects
- Head height 32-36mm for adults (chin to crown without hair)
- Head height ≥25mm for children under 11 years
- Taken within last 6 months
- Face centered, looking straight at camera
- Neutral expression, mouth closed, both eyes open
- Forehead fully visible, no hair covering eyebrows
- No glasses (remove unless medical exemption)
- Print: 850×1106 pixels at 600 DPI on matte paper
- Digital: 500×653 pixels JPEG for police.fi submission
- No shadows on face or background
- Sharp focus, no blur or pixelation
- Color or monochrome accepted (color recommended)
Common rejection reasons by Finnish Police
- Head size outside 32-36mm range for adults
- Head size below 25mm for children under 11
- Shadows visible on face or background
- Hair covering forehead or eyebrows
- Wearing glasses without medical documentation
- Photo older than 6 months
- Low resolution or blurry/out of focus
- Printed on glossy paper instead of matte
- Background has patterns, objects, or other people visible
- Red-eye not corrected
- Over/underexposed (too bright or too dark)
- Digital file wrong dimensions (must be 500×653px exactly)
Children's passport photos - relaxed rules for under 11
Finnish Police relaxes requirements for children under 11 years: minimum head height 25mm (vs 32mm adults), neutral expression not strictly enforced, slight head tilt acceptable. Children's photos must still meet other requirements: white/neutral background, no other people or objects, eyes open, forehead visible. For babies and toddlers: lay on white blanket, photograph from above, ensure even lighting, no pacifiers or toys in frame. Valid for 5 years (children's passports) vs 10 years (adult passports).
How to apply for Finnish passport online
- Visit police.fi passport services portal
- Create account or log in with Finnish bank credentials or mobile certificate
- Select 'Passi' (Passport) application type
- Upload digital photo: 500×653 pixels JPEG, white background, under 2MB
- System validates photo automatically—errors show immediately
- Complete application form and select pickup location (police station)
- Pay state fee online: €50-72 adults, €28-46 children (varies by processing speed)
- Processing time: 10-20 business days standard, 5 days express (additional fee)
- Receive SMS notification when ready for pickup
How to print Finland passport photos at home
- Paper: Use high-quality matte photo paper (required by Finnish Police). Glossy rejected.
- Printer settings: Highest quality, 100% scale (no 'fit to page'), color mode.
- Paper size: Choose 4R (102×152mm) for 4 photos, or A4 for 6 photos.
- Cutting: Sharp scissors or paper trimmer. Cut precisely along grey guide lines.
- Size verification: Final photos must measure exactly 36×47mm. Use ruler to confirm.
- Alternative: Print at R-Kioski, Prisma Foto, or local photo shops (€10-18 for 4 photos).
Good vs bad Finland passport photo examples
Finland visa photo requirements
Finnish visa applications (Schengen visa, work permits, residence permits) use identical 36×47mm specifications as passports. Migri (Finnish Immigration Service) requires photos taken within 6 months, matte paper, head height 32-36mm. Digital submissions accept 500×653px JPEG files. One photo works for passport, visa, and national ID card applications if taken within 6-month validity period. Schengen visa processing: 15-30 days depending on embassy.
Digital photo requirements for police.fi portal
Finnish Police passport application portal accepts digital photo uploads: exactly 500×653 pixels, JPEG format, white or light neutral background, under 2MB file size. System performs automatic validation—head position, eye detection, background color, resolution. Rejections are instant with error messages in Finnish/Swedish/English. Advantage: no physical photo needed if applying online. Processing slightly faster than paper applications (10-15 days vs 15-20 days). This tool generates both print sheets AND compliant 500×653px digital files.
Cost comparison: DIY vs photo services in Finland
- Professional photo studio: €18-30 for 4 photos
- R-Kioski passport photo booth: €12-15 for 4 photos
- Prisma Foto service: €10-14 for 4 photos
- Police station photo service (select locations): €15-20
- This tool: Free. Print at home for €0.30-0.70 per sheet (matte paper + ink)
- Savings: €10-30 per application using DIY approach
- Family of four applying for passports: Save €40-120 using this tool
Official Finnish Government Resources
Step-by-Step Workflow
Upload Photo
Position Head Using Guidelines
Select Enhancement
Download Digital (500×653px) or Print Sheet
Specifications
- Photo Size
- 36×47 mm
- Print Resolution
- 850×1106 pixels at 600 DPI
- Digital Resolution
- 500×653 pixels for online submission
- Head Height (Adults)
- 32-36 mm (68-77% of frame)
- Head Height (Children <11)
- ≥25 mm minimum
- Background
- White or light neutral (plain)
- Recency
- Taken within last 6 months
- Expression
- Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open
- Paper Type
- High-quality matte photo paper
- Valid For
- Passport, visa, national ID
Best Practices
- Finland accepts color or monochrome photos—color recommended for better biometric matching
- Children under 11 have relaxed rules: ≥25mm head height vs 32-36mm adults
- White background required—use white wall or backdrop, not off-white or cream
- Matte paper mandatory—Finnish Police rejects glossy prints
- Forehead must be fully visible—tie back hair if covering eyebrows
- Remove glasses unless medical exemption with documentation
- Digital submissions (500×653px) faster processing than paper applications
- Print at 600 DPI for sharp, high-quality photos as required post-2006
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Finland passport photo requirements?
Finnish passport photos must be 36×47mm with white/neutral plain background, head height 32-36mm adults (≥25mm children under 11), taken within 6 months, printed on high-quality matte paper at 600 DPI. For digital submission via police.fi: 500×653 pixels JPEG. Face centered, neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open, forehead visible, no glasses.
Can I use the same photo for Finnish passport and visa?
Yes. Finnish passport, Schengen visa, residence permits, and national ID cards all use identical 36×47mm specifications. One photo works for multiple applications if taken within 6 months.
What are the rules for children's passport photos in Finland?
Children under 11 years: minimum head height 25mm (vs 32-36mm adults), neutral expression less strictly enforced, slight head tilt acceptable. Still required: white background, no other people/objects, eyes open, forehead visible, no pacifiers/toys.
Does Finland accept digital passport photos?
Yes. Police.fi passport application portal accepts 500×653 pixel JPEG files with white background, under 2MB. System validates automatically. Digital applications process in 10-15 days vs 15-20 days for paper submissions.
Can I wear glasses in Finnish passport photos?
No, unless medically required with signed doctor's statement. Even with medical exemption: no tinted lenses, no glare or reflection, frames must not cover eyes.
How recent must Finland passport photos be?
Within last 6 months to reflect current appearance. Photos older than 6 months will be rejected by Finnish Police.
What paper type for Finland passport photos?
High-quality matte photo paper only. Finnish Police rejects glossy prints. Specify matte finish when printing at home or at photo services.
Where can I print Finland passport photos?
Print at home on matte photo paper (€0.30-0.70 per sheet), or at R-Kioski (€12-15), Prisma Foto (€10-14), local photo shops (€10-18), or select police stations (€15-20). Specify '36×47mm on matte paper'.
Can I use color or black and white photos?
Both accepted. Finland allows color or monochrome photos post-2006. Color recommended for better biometric face recognition accuracy in passport chip.
What's the pixel size for Finland passport photos?
Print: 850×1106 pixels at 600 DPI. Digital (police.fi portal): 500×653 pixels JPEG under 2MB. This tool generates both formats—download digital for online submission or print sheet for paper applications.
How do I crop photos for children under 11?
For children under 11, minimum head height is 25mm (vs 32mm adults). Position chin line slightly lower than the blue guideline. Ensure head is at least 25mm from chin to crown. Finnish Police accepts smaller head sizes for young children as long as minimum 25mm is met.