To reduce an interval between a shade 3 and a projection lens 4, while reducing risk of raising the temperature in a solenoid 13 by heat from a light source 1.

This projector type vehicle headlamp 100 has the light source 1, a reflector 2, the shade 3 and the projection lens 4, and is provided with a shade rotating shaft 11 extending in the lateral direction, a base member 12 rotatably supporting the shade 3 around the shade rotating shaft 11, the solenoid 13 rotating the shaft 3 in a light distribution pattern forming position for a traveling beam form a light distribution pattern forming position for a low beam, and a crankshaft 14 for driving and connecting the solenoid 13 and the shade 3. The shade 3 is arranged substantially just above the solenoid 13 by arranging the solenoid 13 so that the moving direction of a plunger 13a of the solenoid 13 becomes the lateral direction of the projector type vehicle headlamp 100.