CV Photo in the Netherlands: Is It Required?

You're putting together your CV and wondering: should I include a photo or not? In the Netherlands, a photo on your CV is not required. In fact, employers are legally not allowed to ask for one. Yet many applicants still choose to add a photo. In this article we explain what the law says, what the real pros and cons are, and when a photo is a good idea — or not.

What does the law say? The Equal Treatment Act

In the Netherlands, the Equal Treatment Act applies, which stems from Article 1 of the Dutch Constitution. This law prohibits discrimination on the grounds of race, gender, age, religion, belief, and other personal characteristics. A photo on your CV gives an employer direct insight into your appearance, skin colour, age, and sometimes your background — information that can theoretically lead to (unconscious) discrimination.

In concrete terms, this means:

• An employer may not require you to include a photo.
• If a job posting explicitly requests a photo, this is legally questionable.
• You have the right to decide for yourself whether to include a photo.

In practice, employers do not always enforce this strictly, but it is good to know that you are in control.

Advantages of a photo on your Dutch CV

Although a photo is not required, it can add value in certain situations. These are the main reasons why applicants in the Netherlands choose to include a photo:

• Recognisability: A recruiter reviewing dozens of CVs will remember a face more easily than a name.
• More personal contact: A photo gives your CV a human face and makes it feel warmer and more approachable.
• Expected in certain sectors: In industries such as hospitality, retail, marketing, or entertainment, a photo is more common and sometimes even expected.
• Consistency with LinkedIn: When recruiters look up your LinkedIn profile (which they often do), they will recognise you immediately.

Disadvantages of a photo on your CV

There are also serious reasons not to include a photo. Think carefully before automatically adding one:

• Unconscious discrimination: Research shows that appearance, age, and ethnic background can influence selection decisions — consciously or unconsciously.
• Distraction from the content: Your CV is about your skills and experience. A photo draws attention away from what really matters.
• ATS systems ignore photos: Many large employers use automated software (ATS) to screen CVs. Images are completely ignored by these systems — so a photo will not help you pass the first digital screening round. Read more about how ATS works in our complete ATS guide for 2026.
• Space on your CV: A good photo takes up valuable space that could be used for relevant work experience or skills.

CV photo: when should you include one, and when not?

There is no universal answer, but these guidelines will help you make a well-considered choice:

• Include a photo: You are applying for a role where presentation or client contact is relevant (e.g. account manager, host/hostess, presenter). The company culture is informal and personal. You have a professional, strong photo available.
• No photo: You are applying to a large organisation with automated selection. You want to minimise the risk of discrimination based on appearance. You don't have a good, representative photo to hand.

Pay attention to the sector as well. In the creative industry or at startups, a photo is more natural than at a government body or law firm. Always look at the tone and style of the job posting as a guide.

Tips for a good CV photo in the Netherlands

Decided to include a photo? These practical guidelines apply in the Netherlands:

• Use a recent photo — preferably no more than two years old.
• Choose a neutral or light background, not a busy environment.
• Wear professional clothing appropriate to the role.
• Aim for a friendly, relaxed expression — not an overly stiff passport photo, but not a selfie either.
• Use a portrait-style photo (head and shoulders), similar to a LinkedIn profile picture.
• Avoid holiday snaps, group photos, or filters.
• Ideally, have the photo taken by someone else — a phone on a tripod works perfectly well.

Compare this with countries like Germany, where a professional photo in the Lebenslauf is traditionally the norm, or France, where including a photo in the CV is increasingly discouraged. In the Netherlands, the situation sits somewhere in between: you can include one, but you don't have to. Want to know more about the approach in other countries? Read our articles on the CV photo in France and the CV photo in Spain.

What about the layout of your CV?

Whether you choose to include a photo or not: the layout of your CV is equally important. A cluttered or poorly structured CV — with or without a photo — makes a bad impression. Make sure you have a clear layout, logical order, and no unnecessary information. Check out our best CV formats for 2026 with ATS-safe examples to see what a well-presented CV looks like.

Conclusion: photo on your Dutch CV in 2026

A photo on your CV is not required in the Netherlands, and employers are not allowed to ask for one. The decision is personal and depends on the sector, the role, and your own preference. Weigh up the advantages (recognisability, personal touch) against the disadvantages (risk of discrimination, not readable by ATS). If you do opt for a photo, invest in a professional, representative image that shows you at your best.

With ResumeHero you can create a free ATS-friendly CV that looks professional — whether you want to include a photo or not. Choose from dozens of templates tailored to the Dutch job market and put your CV together easily at resumehero.io.