Denmark Passfoto

Denmark Passport Photo -- The Rigspolitiet Standard

The Danish National Police (Rigspolitiet) administers all passport applications in Denmark, and photo compliance falls under their jurisdiction. Denmark follows the ICAO 9303 standard but applies its own country-specific rules -- most notably the mandatory light grey background, which differs from the white background used by most EU member states. Approximately 220,000 Danish passports (pas) are issued annually, and photo rejections remain the single most common cause of processing delays at borgerservice offices across the country.

These rules apply to standard Danish passports, emergency passports (nødpas), and the Danish national ID card (nationalt id-kort). The authoritative source is Rigspolitiet's photo guidance and the Danish borgerservice offices that process applications. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Udenrigsministeriet) coordinates consular passport services for Danes abroad.

Official Photo Specifications

Dimensions:

• 35 x 45 mm (413 x 531 pixels at 300 DPI)
• Head height (from chin to crown): 30-36 mm
• Face centered horizontally with equal space on both sides

Background:

• Light grey background -- specifically between 18% and 30% grey density
• This is a Denmark-specific requirement. Pure white backgrounds are rejected, as are medium or dark grey tones
• No shadows, gradients, patterns, or visible objects behind the subject
• The background must provide clear contrast with the subject's hair, skin, and clothing

Expression and pose:

• Neutral expression with mouth closed -- no visible teeth
• Both eyes open and looking directly at the lens
• Face perfectly frontal, not tilted or rotated in any direction
• Full face visible from the top of the forehead to the bottom of the chin, ear to ear

Glasses policy:

• Glasses are prohibited in Danish passport photos as of the current Rigspolitiet rules. No exceptions for clear prescription lenses. Remove them before shooting.

Head coverings:

• Not permitted except for documented religious reasons
• Religious head coverings must not cast shadows on the face and must leave the entire face visible from hairline to chin
• No hats, headbands, or decorative hair accessories that alter the head silhouette

Recency: Taken within the last 6 months and must reflect your current appearance.

Denmark Document Photo Sizes

Denmark uses a single standard across most government documents:

Baby and Child Passport Photos (Børnepas)

Danish children need their own passport (børnepas) for international travel, and the Rigspolitiet applies specific photo rules by age group. Child passport photos are a frequent source of rejection because parents underestimate how strictly the grey background and head positioning rules are enforced even for infants.

Infants under 2 years (spædbørn): Lay the baby face-up on a plain grey cloth or blanket that matches the 18-30% grey density requirement. Photograph from directly above. Eyes do not need to be fully open -- Rigspolitiet accepts photos of sleeping newborns under 12 months. No pacifiers (sut), toys, or blankets with patterns visible in the frame. The baby must be the only person in the photo; if a parent's hand is supporting the head, it must be hidden beneath the grey cloth and not visible.

Children aged 2 to 5: Eyes must be open. Mouth closed with a neutral expression, though borgerservice staff apply some leniency for toddlers who cannot maintain a perfectly neutral face. Seat the child in a highchair or on an adult's lap, but the adult must be entirely cropped out or hidden behind the child. Use a grey backdrop, not white. Colourful clothing is fine, but avoid white tops that blend into a light background.

Children aged 6 to 11: Full adult photo rules apply. The child must face the camera directly with a neutral expression. A parent or guardian must accompany the child to the borgerservice appointment and sign the application.

All children: The børnepas is valid for 2 years for children under 12 (compared to 10 years for adults), so expect to retake these photos frequently. Head height must still fall within the 30-36 mm range. Photos taken with visible car seat straps, colourful blankets, or a parent's hand are rejected.

Practical tip: Danish photo studios (fotoforretninger) near borgerservice offices have infant photography setups with calibrated grey backdrops. This costs 200-350 DKK but avoids the common problem of getting the grey tone wrong at home.

How to Take Your Denmark Passport Photo at Home

Camera setup: Use a smartphone rear camera (minimum 5 megapixels for crisp results at 300 DPI). Mount it on a tripod or prop it at face height. Stand at least 1.2 meters from the lens. Use the timer function or have someone else take the shot.

Background: The grey background requirement is the most common stumbling block for Danish home photos. A plain grey wall works if it falls in the 18-30% grey range. If your walls are white, hang a medium-light grey fabric or poster board. Test by taking a sample photo and comparing the grey tone against the Rigspolitiet examples on politi.dk.

Lighting: Natural daylight from a window facing you produces the most even result. Avoid overhead-only lighting, which creates shadows under the nose and eye sockets. If using artificial light, position two lamps at 45-degree angles on either side. Stand at least 20 cm from the background wall to prevent shadow casting.

Framing: Center your face horizontally. Head height should be 30-36 mm in the final print. Leave space above the crown and below the chin.

Where to Get Passport Photos in Denmark

Fotoautomat booths: Self-service photo booths at S-tog stations, shopping centers (Fields, Fisketorvet, Illum), and near borgerservice offices. Cost: 50-100 DKK for a strip of 4 photos. These booths are calibrated for the Danish grey background standard. Follow the on-screen positioning guide precisely.

Photo studios (fotoforretninger): Professional studios near borgerservice offices charge 200-400 DKK for a set of passport photos. They know the Rigspolitiet specs and handle the grey background correctly. Studios like Foto C and local photographers also offer digital files for online applications.

Pharmacy and print shops: Some Matas locations and copy shops (copydan) can print passport photos from a digital file for 30-80 DKK. You must supply a compliant image.

Budget approach: Use a free online passport photo tool to validate your image against Danish specs, then print a 10x15 cm photo at a print kiosk for under 10 DKK. Two 35x45 mm passport photos fit on a single 10x15 cm print.

Common Rejection Reasons for Denmark Passport Photos

Borgerservice staff and Rigspolitiet reviewers flag these issues most often:

1. Background colour wrong -- Pure white or off-white backgrounds are rejected. The 18-30% grey requirement is strictly enforced and catches many applicants who assume EU-standard white applies to Denmark.
2. Glasses visible -- Despite the ban, applicants still submit photos wearing glasses. All eyewear must be removed.
3. Head tilted or turned -- Even a slight tilt triggers rejection under ICAO facial recognition requirements.
4. Shadows on background -- Overhead Danish ceiling lighting (loftlampe) commonly casts a shadow behind the head. Stand further from the wall and use front-facing light.
5. Expression not neutral -- Smiling, raised eyebrows, or squinting are all flagged. The face must be completely relaxed.
6. Photo too old -- The 6-month recency rule is enforced. Borgerservice staff may ask when the photo was taken if they suspect it is outdated.
7. Baby photos with visible parent or props -- Hands, car seat straps, pacifiers, and patterned blankets cause immediate rejection for børnepas applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What size is the Denmark passport photo? A: 35 x 45 mm (413 x 531 pixels at 300 DPI). This applies to passports, national ID cards, and driving licences.

Q: Why does Denmark require a grey background instead of white? A: Denmark is one of the few EU countries that mandates light grey (18-30% density) rather than white. The Rigspolitiet specifies this to ensure contrast between the subject and the background, particularly for fair-haired applicants.

Q: Can I take my Denmark passport photo at home? A: Yes. The main challenge is achieving the correct grey background tone. Use a grey cloth, fabric, or poster board and verify the tone against reference images on politi.dk before printing.

Q: Can I wear glasses in my Denmark passport photo? A: No. Rigspolitiet prohibits all glasses in passport photos. Remove them before the photo is taken.

Q: How recent does my Denmark passport photo need to be? A: Taken within the last 6 months. It must accurately represent your current appearance.

Q: Do babies need their own passport to travel from Denmark? A: Yes. All Danish children, including newborns, need their own børnepas for international travel. The child passport is valid for 2 years for children under 12.

Q: My baby won't open their eyes for the photo. Will it be rejected? A: For infants under 12 months, Rigspolitiet accepts photos with closed or partially closed eyes. For children over 12 months, both eyes should be open.