Schengen Visa Photo Size & Requirements
Complete guide to Schengen visa photo specifications for all 27 member countries. The same photo requirements apply across the entire Schengen Area, making it easier to prepare for your European travel.
Schengen Visa Photo Specifications
Dimensions
- Size: 35 x 45 mm
- Pixels: 413 x 531 px (at 300 DPI)
- Face height: 32-36 mm (70-80% of photo)
Requirements
- Background: White or light gray
- Format: JPEG
- Recency: Taken within last 6 months
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Photo Requirements
300 DPI35 × 45 mm
413 × 531 px
light-gray
JPEG
Step-by-Step Guide to Taking Your Schengen Visa Photo
Follow these steps to take a compliant Schengen visa photo at home that will be accepted by any consulate in the Schengen Area.
Set Up Your Background
Find a plain white or light gray wall. If you don't have one, hang a white bedsheet or poster board. The background must be uniform with no patterns, textures, or objects visible. Ensure there are no shadows falling on the background.
Position Yourself Correctly
Stand about 1-1.5 meters (3-5 feet) from the background to minimize shadows. Face the camera directly with your head straight - not tilted or rotated. Position yourself at camera level; if using a phone, place it on a stable surface at face height.
Optimize Your Lighting
Use soft, natural daylight from a window facing you. Avoid direct sunlight which creates harsh shadows. If natural light isn't available, use two lamps positioned at 45-degree angles on either side of your face to eliminate shadows evenly.
Prepare Your Appearance
Keep a neutral expression with your mouth closed. Remove sunglasses and tinted eyewear. Regular prescription glasses are allowed if they don't cause glare or obscure your eyes. Remove hats and head coverings unless worn for religious purposes - in which case your full face must still be visible.
Take Multiple Shots
Use your phone's timer or ask someone to take the photo. Capture at least 10-15 images to have options. Modern smartphone cameras (8MP+) provide sufficient resolution for Schengen visa photos. Shoot in portrait orientation to maintain the best quality for cropping.
Select and Crop
Review your photos and select one with sharp focus, good exposure, and no visible issues. Use our free tool above to crop and resize to exactly 35x45mm at 300 DPI. Ensure your face occupies 70-80% of the frame height from chin to crown.
Final Quality Check
Before printing or submitting, verify: background is uniformly white/light gray, eyes are open and clearly visible, no shadows on face or background, image is in focus and not pixelated, proper dimensions (35x45mm), and photo was taken within the last 6 months.
Expert Tips & Insights
Understanding the Schengen Photo Standard
The Schengen visa photo requirements follow the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) 9303 standard, which is designed for machine-readable travel documents and facial recognition systems. This standard ensures your photo will work seamlessly with automated border control systems across all 27 Schengen countries.
The 35x45mm format has been specifically chosen because it provides optimal facial biometric data while fitting standard visa sticker dimensions. The face height requirement of 32-36mm (70-80% of the frame) ensures consistent positioning that allows accurate facial recognition matching at all Schengen border crossings.
Consulate-Specific Variations
While the base requirements are standardized across all Schengen countries, some consulates have minor preferences. German consulates tend to be stricter about exact face-to-frame ratios, while French consulates may accept slightly warmer background tones. However, following the official specifications exactly will ensure acceptance at any consulate.
Digital vs. Printed Submissions
Many Schengen consulates now accept digital photo uploads through their visa application portals. For digital submissions, ensure your file is in JPEG format and between 200-400 KB in size. For printed photos, use matte or semi-gloss photo paper - avoid glossy finishes as they can cause issues with scanning equipment. Standard photo printing services at pharmacies and photo shops typically produce acceptable results.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
These are the most frequent reasons Schengen visa photos get rejected. Avoid these issues to prevent delays in your visa application.
Incorrect Background
Using a cream, blue, or patterned background. The background must be pure white or very light gray. Off-white or cream tones are frequently rejected.
Shadows on Face or Background
Harsh lighting creates shadows that interfere with facial recognition. Use soft, diffused lighting from multiple angles to eliminate all shadows.
Wrong Face-to-Frame Ratio
Face too small or too large in the frame. Your face should occupy exactly 70-80% of the photo height. Use our tool to ensure precise positioning.
Glasses with Glare
While glasses are allowed, reflections on lenses cause automatic rejection. Tilt glasses slightly or remove them entirely to avoid glare issues.
Expired Photo
Using a photo older than 6 months. Consulates check recency, especially if your appearance has changed. Always use a recent photo.
Smiling or Unusual Expression
Smiling, open mouth, or closed eyes. Maintain a completely neutral expression with mouth closed and both eyes open and clearly visible.
Detailed Photo Requirements
| Photo Size | 35mm wide x 45mm tall |
| Digital Size | 413 x 531 pixels at 300 DPI |
| Face Height | 32-36mm (from chin to crown) |
| Background Color | White or light gray (uniform) |
| Facial Expression | Neutral, mouth closed |
| Glasses | Allowed (no glare, eyes visible) |
| Head Coverings | Only for religious reasons |
| Photo Age | Taken within last 6 months |
Schengen Area Countries (27)
The same photo requirements apply to visa applications for all Schengen member states. Whether you're applying for a visa to visit France, Germany, Italy, or any other Schengen country, your 35x45mm photo will be accepted:
Quick Reference: Do's and Don'ts
Do
- ✓ Use a plain white or light gray background
- ✓ Face the camera directly
- ✓ Keep a neutral expression
- ✓ Ensure even lighting with no shadows
- ✓ Keep both eyes open and visible
- ✓ Use a recent photo (within 6 months)
- ✓ Print on quality photo paper
Don't
- ✗ Wear sunglasses or tinted glasses
- ✗ Use filters or heavy editing
- ✗ Have red eyes or harsh shadows
- ✗ Smile or show teeth
- ✗ Use an old photo (older than 6 months)
- ✗ Crop incorrectly (face too small/large)
- ✗ Submit blurry or pixelated images
Frequently Asked Questions
What size is a Schengen visa photo?
Schengen visa photos must be 35mm wide and 45mm tall. In pixels, this is 413 x 531 at 300 DPI resolution. This is the standard biometric photo size used across all 27 Schengen member countries.
Are Schengen and EU passport photos the same size?
Yes, most EU countries use the same 35x45mm biometric photo standard for both passports and Schengen visas. However, there are minor variations - some countries like France accept photos slightly larger (35x45mm to 40x50mm), but 35x45mm is universally accepted.
How many photos do I need for a Schengen visa?
Typically 2 identical passport photos are required for a Schengen visa application. However, some consulates may ask for only 1 photo, especially if submitting digitally. Check with your specific consulate for exact requirements.
Can I take my own Schengen visa photo?
Yes! You can take your own photo at home against a white wall with good lighting. Use a smartphone with at least 8MP camera, then use our free tool to resize it to the exact 35x45mm specifications. This can save you money and time compared to professional photo services.
What background color is acceptable for Schengen visa photos?
The background must be white or light gray (off-white). It should be plain, uniform, and without any shadows, patterns, or objects. Cream, blue, or other colored backgrounds will be rejected. When in doubt, use pure white.
Can I wear glasses in my Schengen visa photo?
Regular prescription glasses are allowed, but your eyes must be clearly visible with no reflections or glare on the lenses. Tinted glasses, sunglasses, and glasses with thick frames that obscure your eyes are not permitted. If in doubt, it's safer to remove your glasses for the photo.
How recent must my Schengen visa photo be?
Your photo must have been taken within the last 6 months and must accurately reflect your current appearance. If your appearance has changed significantly (new hairstyle, beard, weight change), you should take a new photo even if your existing one is less than 6 months old.
Can I smile in my Schengen visa photo?
No, smiling is not allowed in Schengen visa photos. You must maintain a completely neutral facial expression with your mouth closed. This requirement exists because biometric facial recognition systems are optimized for neutral expressions.
Are head coverings allowed in Schengen visa photos?
Head coverings are only permitted for religious or medical reasons. If you wear a head covering, your full face must still be visible from the bottom of your chin to the top of your forehead, and from ear to ear. The head covering must not cast any shadows on your face.
What file format should my digital Schengen visa photo be?
For digital submissions, your photo should be in JPEG format. The file size should typically be between 200KB and 400KB. The resolution should be 300 DPI with dimensions of 413 x 531 pixels. Some online visa application systems have specific file size limits, so check the requirements before uploading.
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